“You’re joking.”
“No, I’m a candy addict. That’s why I have all those vases of sweets in my office. The Skittles you sent are already gone.”
I couldn’t stop laughing. “A candy addict?”
“It’s true! I think my appointments alone pay my dentist’s mortgage.”
“I bet,” I calmed down. “What’s your favorite real food?”
“Pizza I guess.”
WHAT?
“Not chicken parmesan, crème brûlée, lobster?”
“I’ve eaten all those, but pizza’s way better. And I’m talking about the pizza that takes real time and thought to make, none of that chain pizza crap.”
That’s different…
I noticed her plate was empty. “You want dessert? The sorbet should be ready by now.”
“I don’t think I can eat anymore.”
“Okay. Can we talk somewhere else? In another room?”
She hopped off her stool and led me into a small room with dark brown sofas. I assumed it was her living room.
“Oh, there’s actually furniture in here,” I laughed. “Take your shoes off.”
“Why?”
“So it’ll be harder for you to run away.”
She rolled her eyes and slipped out of her flats. I patted the couch cushion next to me but she sat on the other end.
“Nice try,” I moved down the couch.
“What did you want to talk about, Matt? How detailed you want me to write the article for your wedding?”
So much for beating around the bush first…
“Selena and I aren’t really together, Melody. We’re in a staged for the cameras relationship.”
She blinked a couple times and said nothing. She looked around the room, as if she was searching for her next words.
She shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”
“But you’ll believe whatever TMZ says?”
“Are you planning to let them in on this?”
“No, that’s not how these things usually work.”
“How do they work?”
“It’s a mutually beneficial relationship,” I tried to gauge her facial expressions. “Two people who both need attention for their upcoming projects get together, thereby creating more attention and more press for their work.”
“And you consciously seek out actresses to do this with you?”
“No. Selena and I were already dating, but then it turned into what it is now. Nothing.”
She sat silent again, not making eye contact. “But at one point you two actually did like each other?”
“Yes.”
“But you don’t like her anymore? You’re just pretending for the paparazzi?”
“Yes,” I put my arm around her shoulders.
“What about the baby? Is it true you guys are using a surrogate?”
“Where’d you read that?”
“Perez Hilton’s website.”
I laughed. “There’s no surrogate or a baby. She’s wearing a prosthetic baby bump.”
“You’re kidding! That’s crazy! Why would—”
“Don’t ask. Everything used to make sense to me, but the further I distance myself from it I see how crazy it is.”
She looked up at me. “Did you ever cheat on her with groupies?”
Whoa. Where’s that coming from?
“No. I didn’t. I’m monogamous when I’m in a relationship.”
“What happened when you two stopped liking each other? Did you still have sex?”
“Yes, until I told her I didn’t want to do that anymore either.”
“Have you ever been with someone that wasn’t a celebrity?”
“My former publicist.”
And hopefully you…
“Okay.”
I wished I could read her mind. I could tell she was thinking about something and I wanted to know exactly what it was.
“Okay?” I pressed. “That’s all you have to say?”
“What type of response were you expecting?”
“Something like, ‘Matt I’m so sorry I ran away from you all those times. If only I had listened.’ Something along those lines.”
She pursed her lips. “That’s not what I was thinking at all.”
“What were you thinking?”
“I don’t know. It seems unreal, especially since you two are actually having a wedding. I guess I don’t completely believe you.”
I don’t care.
I pulled her close and kissed her, running my fingers through her hair. I felt her kissing me back but she slowly pulled away.
I sighed. “I hope you’ll believe me eventually. I’m not lying. By the way, can I have your phone number?”
“My realtor didn’t already give that to you?”
“No. I did ask her for it though.”
“555-0967.”
“Thanks,” I saved it to my phone. “When’s the next night you’re free?”
“Umm Friday?”
“Can I come over then? Or would you like to go out somewhere? We can go anywhere you want to go.”
I don’t want you thinking I’m scared to be in public with you…
“Here would probably be better. I’m not a fan of being mauled by paparazzi. Plus, you should probably keep up your fake image of being with Selena.”
I leaned over and kissed her again, pulling her closer every time she tried to move away. “It is fake, Melody. I’m only interested in you.”