Page 12 of Heart to Heart
“You’re kidding?” I asked, genuinely surprised. “It’s been so long since anyone’s seen me in a movie theater that I’ve just assumed they’ve forgotten about me.”
“I’m sure my staff wishes I were joking. They’ve just spent the better part of three weeks combing through video submissions and have barely made a dent. I’ve been having lunch catered in every day so they don’t quit on me. You can only hearlove described so many times before you want to pierce your eardrums with an icepick to make it stop—or so they’ve told me.”
“A good problem to have.” Wanda clapped her hands, her way of diverting the conversation to the topic of discussion on her mind. “Now, let’s talk strategy, shall we?”
“Yes, let’s,” Simon agreed, drumming his fingers on his desk. “I imagine we’ll have the submissions whittled down next week to those candidates we’re selecting for our interview and vetting process, at which time we will also have you, Tristan, come to our studio for a photoshoot and other marketing and promotional spots. We want to start advertising for the new season in the coming weeks, commercials and print ads. Filming begins at the end of June. As you know, we film each episode just days before they air. The live selection ceremony is held the day after each taped episode airs to count votes. It’s a marathon schedule. Thankfully, it doesn’t last long.”
“Seems a little rushed,” I interjected.
“Our film crew is quite experienced and can put a show together on a dime. But if you want input in the footage we’re using, I’m sure we can arrange that.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I assured him. “I’m sure I would be out of my league there. It’s just, with such a short shooting schedule, how does anyone find love on this show, or even, I don’t know—like, for that matter?”
Simon chuckled. “Well, we’ve had a fair share of couples who have certainly found lust. Three have made it work and have gotten married.”
“But I’m not going to be expected to propose, though, if I’m not feeling it, right?”
“Of course, you’re not.” Wanda’s eyes were full of warning. Clearly, this wasn’t a topic of conversation she’d expected to discuss.
Simon inspected me thoughtfully. “We’ve had a few not propose, but our audience has generally come to expect an engagement at the end of each season. They love love, our audience. And they’re tuning into a show that’s selling it and all its possibilities. Even if the relationship doesn’t end up working out, they still like to be sold on the possibility that it may.”
I nodded, a knot forming in my chest. How in the world was I going to pull this off?
“Are you having second thoughts, Mr. Tate?” I glanced up at Simon who appeared concerned.
“Not in the slightest. He’s been pumped for this show since receiving the call.” Wanda waved off Simon’s question with a flick of her manicured hand.
It was my turn to flash her a covert dirty look. Wanda, the very person who’d told me not to fall in love, wanted me to commit fully to the possibility of an engagement.
“I trust the women selected for the show will be of the highest caliber. But if he doesn’t find the love of his life, he’ll give you all one hell of a show.”
“I’m sure he will,” Simon agreed.
“Well, moving on, then,” Wanda moved from the corner of Simon’s desk to sit in the chair next to me. “Let’s discuss Tristan’s compensation package, shall we?”
You mean your compensation package. I certainly hadn’t agreed to this job for the money. It was repairing my image that I was concerned about. And how was I going to repair my image by faking falling in love with a woman who very well may be falling in love for real? How far was I willing to go to save my career?
Mind racing with all the possibilities, I stole a glance outside the floor-to-ceiling windows in Simon’s office, with their perfect view of Los Angeles laid out before me. It wasn’t too long ago that I came here, full of hope and ambition. I’d been in theminority and had succeeded, landing role after role, eventually becoming an action star.
And now? Oh, how the mighty had fallen. Though it was several steps forward compared to the massive leap I’d taken backward, I was still going to star in a season of a reality dating show. If I didn’t become engaged, I would be a disappointment; and if I did, I would again be a disappointment. A real damned if I do, damned if I don’t scenario.
“What do you think, Tristan?” Wanda asked, breaking my concentration away from my philandering thoughts.
“I think that sounds great,” I said, unsure of what the hell ‘that’ even was.
“I do, too.” She smiled, turning back to Simon.
At least I gave the right answer. Still, I couldn’t help but feel like the walls were slowly closing in, suffocating me. I was used to calling my own shots, not having my life planned out in front of me. I’d been reduced to being a spectator. Suddenly ill, I wanted to get out of here. If my future was going to be decided for me anyway, there was nothing I could do about it, whether I was here or not.
“So, Simon,” I interrupted what I was sure was a rousing discussion on my attire during promotional shoots—whether I should wear a suit or my trademark V-neck fitted muscle shirt and blue jeans audiences were used to seeing me in. “You said your staff is reviewing the videos sent in right now?”
“Much to their chagrin, yes.”
“Do you mind if I take a peek—to be a part of the process while you two talk shop?”
“You know, I think that would be a great idea. I’ll buzz Gemma and have her take you downstairs.”
I followedGemma down a hallway in the decidedly less posh part of the office of WinterTime Productions. Its basement gave more dungeon vibes than swanky office. No wonder Simon’s staff were chomping at the bit to get through the submissions. They probably felt like they were serving out some sort of prison sentence down here. A part of me wondered whether I’d find them strapped into stocks in front of their computers.
