Page 46

SIXTEEN
As the town car traveled along the highway toward the Hollywood hotel where the press junket was set to take place, Adelia’s thoughts lingered on the moment in the hallway last night. The surge of gratitude for how Oliver had taken care of her the past couple of weeks had suddenly come out in the form of a hug. At first, she was worried she’d crossed a line, but then his arms came around her, holding her tightly against him, and he didn’t let go. That was when her heart rate sped up and the butterflies went crazy in her stomach. Being in his arms felt so right, and she never wanted it to end.
Something was happening between them, and she didn’t want to fight it anymore. She was sure he felt the same, and it filled her with an excitement and anticipation she hadn’t felt in a long time. What she wanted more than anything was to tell Andre to turn the car around and head back to the house so she could spend the day sightseeing with Oliver. And that longing was suddenly exacerbated by the mob of photographers waiting outside the hotel when the car pulled up to the entrance.
Adelia groaned loudly, and Andre gave her an understanding look in the rearview mirror before getting out of the vehicle.
She took several deep breaths to prepare herself for the onslaught.
The door opened, and before she was even out of the vehicle, she was bombarded with photographs and question after question about her parents.
Andre shielded her as they walked. He was tall and brawny and had no trouble getting her through the crowd to the concierge who was waiting for her at the door.
Once inside, she smoothed her hair and her blouse and noticed her manager, Iris, standing across the lobby with a smile on her face.
“Good morning, Adelia.”
“Is it?” Adelia raised an eyebrow as she passed her by. She walked to the elevators, the sound of Iris’s clicking heels following her.
Iris caught up. “It is a good morning, and you’re going to put on your happy face and promote the heck out of this movie today.” She continued talking as they rode the elevator. “The buzz for this one is already big, and people want to hear about it and how much you enjoyed working with everyone.”
Adelia snorted. “You think they’re going to believe I liked working with Layton?” He may have been one of the most in-demand leading men at the moment, but he was still a selfish, conceited playboy, and his fans knew it.
“You may hate him off-screen, but you didn’t always. And there’s no denying your chemistry.”
Adelia smirked. “That’s called acting.”
Iris rolled her eyes as they came off of the elevator.
They made their way into a suite that was set up for the interviews with a large printed movie poster behind two chairs. There were wires and lights and microphones everywhere as well as a seat for the interviewer.
Adelia’s gaze fixed on the two chairs. “Isn’t this a solo interview?”
Iris chewed on her bottom lip and tucked her smooth chin-length auburn hair behind her ear.
Adelia’s breath caught in her throat. “Iris, no.”
“I’m sorry, Adelia.”
“I told you I didn’t want to interview with him. It was bad enough being locked into that movie contract after I dumped him.”
“It was the studio’s choice. They want their favorite couple together, showing that despite your past, you are still … friendly.”
“But we aren’t.”
“Well, act like you are. It gives the public hope that maybe you’ll get back together someday.”
Adelia laughed at the absurdity.
On a normal day, she loved Iris. She was the best manager Adelia had ever had. She was young, only a few years older than Adelia, and had proved herself capable and savvy, always working hard behind the scenes, trying to find her the best scripts and projects. Lately, Iris was working alongside her family’s agent, Barney, to try to make Adelia’s dream project a reality. So she couldn’t be too angry with Iris about this interview. She was just doing her job.
The first of the interviewers soon arrived, and everyone took their places. Everyone except Layton, that is. His manager kept glancing at the door, looking mad enough to spit nails.
“Typical,” Adelia mumbled under her breath to Iris, who pointed at the microphone above her head that had picked it up. She chuckled. “Oops.”
“I guess it doesn’t pay to be the first interviewer of the day,” the young guy seated across from her said.
“If you want to ask me some questions without Layton, that’s cool with me.”