I stood up as Maryanne pulled out the chair across from me, and we both sat down.
“You know I’ll always make time for you.”
“Well, you’ve obviously not been in this business long enough if you’re still willing to drop everything for your agent.” She put her giant bag down on the floor next to her feet and then looked at me, giving a big sigh, as if she were already exhausted by her day, even though it was only 9:00 a.m. “Okay, so, how’s the show going?”
“It’s going great. We’ve shot a few episodes of the new season and I’ve got a really good story line. So far everyone’s been incredible.”
A waitress came and took our coffee orders, and when she left I turned my attention back to Maryanne. “So, I assume there’s a reason you wanted to see me.”
“Yes. I received a phone call and you’ve been invited to a movie premiere.”
“Oh. All right. Sounds fun.”
“Yes, and the most fun part is that you’ve been invited to be Lexi Black’s date.”
“Lexi Black? Isn’t she dating George Lebowitz?”
“It’s irrelevant who she’s dating, she wants to go with you to the movie premiere.”
My eyebrows were drawn to the bridge of my nose and I tried to connect the dots Maryanne was obviously laying out for me. “I’m confused. Why would she want to go with me?”
“It’s a Hollywood thing. She doesn’t want to date you, she just wants to be seen with you, and honestly, I think it could do a lot of good for your career as well.”
“But I haven’t seen her since I did her music video almost a year ago.” I forced my mind to stay in the present, to focus on Maryanne and our conversation, even though I could feel the images of Kalli surfacing, pulling me down. I ran the back of my hand under my chin as a distraction, probably looking as if I were unsure about going to the premiere with Lexi when, in reality, I was trying to keep thoughts of Kalli from taking over.
“That is still her most successful music video, and her people and I agree it would be beneficial for you both to be seen together in public.” She paused, then added, “It’s not a big deal, Riot. You don’t have to sleep with her or anything.”
“I think you guys might be overestimating my level of fame. It can’t do her any good to be seen with me — she’s crazy famous.”
“Riot, you’re the hot young cop on the highest-rated prime-time drama. You’ve got movie deals in the works, and the two of you have been together on film simulating sex. Her fans know exactly who you are and vice versa.”
I groaned and dropped my head into my hands. I was torn. Lexi had given me a huge opportunity and I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but at the same time I didn’t want to use her or be used by her. I was still fairly new to the “Hollywood” game. There were always decisions to be made, and I feared making the wrong one. Finally, I looked up at Maryanne with a defeated expression on my face. “When is this movie premiere?”
“It’s tonight. Five o’clock. Dolby Theatre.”
“Tonight? Dolby Theatre? Shit, Maryanne, this is a big movie, isn’t it?”
She shrugged. “You’ll be fine. A limo will pick you up at four and Lexi will be in it waiting for you, so don’t be late.”
“What am I supposed to wear to something like this? I don’t have anything except jeans and t-shirts.”
“Don’t worry,” she said, picking up her bag and standing. “I’ll have an appropriate ensemble sent to your house in time. And Riot?”
“Yeah?” I asked, wondering what the hell else she could want from me.
“Don’t shave.” She smiled, dropped a twenty on the table, and walked away, leaving just seconds before her drink arrived.
I stood in my tiny bathroom, staring at a sight in the mirror I’d never seen before. I was in a fancy gray suit with a white button-up shirt. I’d buttoned the shirt all the way up to the neck, but then I’d felt like I was going to pass out from lack of oxygen, so I unbuttoned a few at the top and decided Lexi would have to deal with my lack of tie because there was no way.
My mind thought back to the first time I’d met Lexi, standing on that sound stage in Portland. Lexi was nice, professional even, but not memorable. She wasn’t who stood out to me during those few days. From the moment she entered the room, Kalli had been the one to draw my attention. She’d been breathtakingly beautiful, but unaware of her beauty. She’d been sassy and shy all at the same time, and I’d been a goner from the very beginning.