Page 33 of How He Got the Girl
The more Karina explains what this would entail, the more worry expands in the pit of my stomach. There’s no way Mallory’s going to buy this. How am I supposed to get her to like me again if she won’t spend time with me?
Mallory smirks. “Let me get this straight. You’re paying me to hang out with you?”
“If that’s what it takes.” I smile, trying to play it off like a joke when that’sexactlywhat I’m doing. It’s embarrassing, but I can’t find it in myself to care. If it allows me to rewrite my story with Mallory, I’ll do anything. Walk around downtown in a banana costume. Get a tattoo of her name on my lip. Paint the brick exterior of this house pink. Literallyanything.
“What are you proposing we do to be seen and get pictures to post?”
“What if we participate in our favorite winter traditions together?”
“Like a snowball fight?” Her laugh is dry.
“You two can work on the details later,” Karina cuts in. “For now, is there anything else you’d like included in the contract?”
“How long is this arrangement going to last? I’m only on winter break for three weeks.”
“I’m not sure we can sell our story in that short of a time.” I purse my lips.
Karina nods. “He’s right. We could include that it’ll last two months, but the timing is subject to negotiation by both parties.”
“That sounds reasonable,” Mallory agrees, nodding slowly.
“Anything else?” My agent sounds like she’s ready to get on to her next task.
“One more thing. I’d like the contract to include a line that either party reserves the right to back out at any time.” I want Mallory to do this because she wants to spend time with me, and okay, I guess for the money, too. I just…I don’t want her to feel trapped. I look right into her surprised brown eyes as I say, “No questions asked.”
Mallory dips her head. I’m not sure if it’s to hide her shock or her acceptance of my terms. But it’s better than her hating me.
“How does this all sound, Mallory?” Karina pauses her typing to look back at the camera.
“I’m in. I’ll give Griffin my email for you to send the contract over.”
“Wonderful.” Karina spins in her office chair to face her computer again. “I need you both to have this signed and back to me by the morning. I know it’s fast, but that’s Hollywood for you. You can send me more questions if you think of them, but otherwise, I’m off to another meeting.” Per usual, Karina hangs up without a goodbye.
“Did we lose her?” Mallory leans toward my computer like she’s about to call her back.
I place my hand on her arm, stopping her. “She hasn’t said goodbye to me once in the years I’ve worked with her.”
“Huh. I guess when you’re getting paid by some of Hollywood’s hottest new actors, you don’t have time for things asfrivolousas sign-offs.”
I don’t attempt to hide my smile. “You think I’m hot?”
She rolls her eyes. “Ugh, you know what I mean.”
“Nope.” I lean back on the couch. “I’m going to sleep like a baby tonight knowing you think I’m hot.”
Mallory picks up a white throw pillow and smacks my arm with it. “You’re the worst.”
“Whatever you say,girlfriend.”
“That’sfakegirlfriend to you.” She cocks her head.
I wave a hand. “Eh, I’ve never been one for semantics.”
“You’ve never been one for humility, is more like it.”
“Again, semantics.” My cheeks hurt from how much I’m smiling, but I can’t help myself around her.
“I think that’s my cue to leave.” Mallory stands and starts walking to the door.
