Sloan ignores the slightly manic tone of my voice. “As a heart attack, my girl.”
Grayson is oddly silent. I can’t look at him — I can’t do anything except stare at Sloan, waiting for him to say,Gotcha! Only messing with you, Kat!
But he doesn’t.
He just watches me with that infuriatingly calm manner, waiting for me to process this insane idea.
“Think about it,” he says after a few seconds of silence. His free hand sweeps through the air, tracing invisible headlines. “Childhood co-stars fall head-over-heels in paradise! Star-crossed couple films romance of the decade!The fans will eat it up. They’ll be clamoring for more. They’ll watch every interview. They’ll read every news story. They’ll tweet and re-gram and write fan fiction and take selfies with you two every time you appear in public. It’ll be a frenzy. And it’ll make the movie a smash, I guarantee it.”
“Absolutely not.” My voice is resolute. “That’s not happening.”
“Kat, just think about it—” Sloan starts.
Grayson still isn’t saying anything.
“Why are you so quiet?” I ask incredulously, turning to him. “You cannot possibly think this is a good idea.”
He shrugs, expression unreadable. “It’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”
“What?” I practically scream the word. “Am I the only one around here who hasn’t gone insane? Am I the only one who sees what a total fucking disaster it would be for the two of us to fake a relationship for the entire world?”
“I for one think it’s agreatidea,” a dispassionate male voice interjects from the doorway.
Chills race down my spine even as anger flashes through me.
“Hastings!” Sloan calls, turning to greet the new arrival. “You finally made it!”
My eyes latch onto Wyatt as he steps into the room. I could be imagining things, but it seems like he’s being very careful not to look at me.
He won’t look at me, won’t talk to me, won’t forgive me… but he’ll tell me to date another man for show?
For the first time in weeks, I feel a little of my namesake fire creep back into my veins.
“Apparently you’re just as delusional as these two, then,” I snap at Wyatt.
His eyes finally move to meet mine. They’re heavily guarded — I can’t read a single emotion in their bright blue depths.
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” he says in a deadly soft voice. “It’s not like it’ll be much of a stretch to act like you’re in love with—” In lieu of saying Grayson’s name, he just jerks his head in his direction.
I grind my teeth together to keep from yelling. I don’t risk saying a word, because I have a feeling anything that escapes my lips at this moment will come out at the top of my lungs.
“After all,” Wyatt continues softly. “No one can resist theSexiest Man Alive.”
His words are teasing, but his tone is lethal.
Grayson shifts on the stool beside mine, clearly pissed, and I can almost feel the ice of his glare as he stares across the room at Wyatt. They’re on the same side in this argument, but you’d never know it. There’s a new bite to the chill frosting the air between them. The temperature in here has dropped so much, I’ll soon be able to see my breath.
I’m in no mood to mend fences. I’m too pissed off.
I hop off my stool, plant my hands on my hips, and whirl from Wyatt to Grayson to Sloan.
“Listen up boys, and make sure you hear me, because I’m only going to say this once.I am not a trading card to be played whenever it’s convenient for you. I am a grown woman. I am an actress. I am a professional. I agreed to film this movie, to do everything in my power to help you promote it. But I draw the line at being your— yourpuppet. I’m not going to be used as a pawn to make up for Grayson’s emotional shortcomings and messy romantic entanglements.” I drop my tone to an indignant growl and resist the urge to stomp my foot. “You may have a say in my career, but you do not have a say in my personal life.Got it?”
There’s a long moment of absolute silence as the three of them stare at me, startled by my outburst. I’m panting as I look around the room from man to man. Even Trey, loitering in the far corner, looks a little stunned; for once, his fingers have stopped pecking at his cellphone screen.
“No need to get all worked up, Kat. It was just a suggestion.” Sloan’s voice is soothing. “Have you ever considered yoga? I really think you might benefit from a relaxation tool. Personally, I’ve found it to be…”
He’s still speaking, but I’ve stopped paying attention. I’m looking at Wyatt, at the almost-smile tugging up the corner of his mouth, and find that my brain has gone utterly mute, like a television set with a faulty audio cord. All picture, no sound.