She placed a hand on a hip and appraised Reeve from top to bottom. “We should review our backstory. And I think we’re going to need a better outfit for you to go the theater. We do have box seats.”
“What? You don’t think I have nice clothes for the theater? I’ve been to the theater. I’ve auditioned for plenty of shows. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck.”
“I know,” she said in a decisive tone as she ran her index finger up his pecs, her way of taking back the reins. Then she lowered her voice to a faux whisper even though it was just the two of them in the hallway. “But you’re mine now for a week and I want to play dress up.” She looked at her watch. “I have to make some calls on this TV guest doctor role I’m casting tomorrow for Overnight Shift,” she said, referring to the popular medical drama. She’d written down her list of ten potentials this morning on the cab ride over to her office. She didn’t even have to look them up on her computer; she simply knew who the ten best prospects were by tapping into her mental rolodex. She never forgot a pretty face or a talent to behold. “Can you wait for me in the lobby and I’ll be free in fifteen minutes to go to Elizabeth’s and get you a new shirt and pants?”
He nodded, and she returned to her office and shut the door. She sank down into her chair and scrolled through her files to find the numbers of the agents she had to call. Not only did she need to get matters quickly squared away for the role of the plastic surgeon who saves the day, she needed to get her mind off the way her body felt when Reeve had touched her.
Chapter Three
On the way to the men’s department at Elizabeth’s, Sutton and Reeve walked past the jewelry counters. Sutton was drawn to the necklaces and bracelets. She’d always been a bit like a squirrel—taken in by shiny objects. But she didn’t stop this time. Instead, she “tsk-tsked” the displays. “This store seriously needs some necklaces,” she said.
“Funny. I was thinking that myself,” Reeve joked.
She wagged a finger at him. “Aren’t you a playful one?”
“Take me to the park and throw me a Frisbee. See how high I can jump.”
“Oh, I might just take you up on that. I do like dogs.”
“Want to put a leash on me too?”
“Would you like that Reeve?” Sutton asked, in her best seductive voice. If they were going to be a pretend couple, then she was going to play at innuendo.
“I find that I’m generally open to pretty much everything. Want to do it outside? I’m your man. In front of the window with the neighbors across the street watching? Totally fine with that. On the stairwell in your office building? Put up the bat signal and I’m good to go.”
“Would you arrive with a cape too?” Sutton asked as they walked past glass displays with watches, gloves and scarves.
“Of course. I’m good with costumes. I could even put on a mask if you want,” he remarked, moving closer to Sutton to let a woman pushing a high-end baby stroller past them. He brushed Sutton’s shoulder as he leaned into her, and Sutton found herself making a mental note about how very nice his body felt against hers. Of course, it was good that she felt this way, right? It would help her win the contract. But to win the job, she also needed to make sure their backstory was airtight. This was like the prep work she’d do for any job. Whenever she pitched new producers, she was thoroughly and completely ready—she researched all their films or shows, watched everything they made, and studied up on interesting personal details, like whether they liked to collect sports cars or rare LPs.
“Lovely. I’ll keep the mask issue in mind. Now, let’s go over the details so everything is ironclad. I think we go with the truth as to how we met. We met when I cast you in a day part for It’s Raining Men. She already knows your name since you met her already.”
“Damn. I was really hoping to be a Sven.”
Sutton laughed and raised an eyebrow. “Sven?”
“Okay, so I’m Reeve Larkin from Ohio. My dad’s a cop. My mom’s a teacher. I went to Ohio State.”
Sutton rolled her eyes. “Please say you’re kidding.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“It’s right out of central casting, Reeve! Cop dad and teacher mom? You’re the too-good-to-be-true boy from Middle America who went to the hometown college to boot.”
“It’s the truth, though. Studied American Lit for my major.”
“Okay, fine. And we started dating shortly after the premiere of It’s Raining Men six months ago.”
“Ah, so it all started up in May. I remember that. You looked so hot at the premiere in that slinky black dress.”
Sutton stopped walking and placed a hand on Reeve’s arm. “You remember what I wore?”
“You’re gorgeous. You cast me in a movie. Yes, I remember.”
Sutton pressed her teeth against her lower lip for just a second, fighting to ignore the feeling that swept through her. As if he’d tapped into something with his remark.
“So we went out the next night,” she said, continuing the fable of their love affair.
“To Italian,” he added. “Because that’s my favorite. What’s your favorite food?”
“Fish and chips.”
“Funny, doesn’t show.” He eyed her from head to toe.
“I walk my dog an hour a day.”
“That’s one lucky dog.”
“He deserves only the best. I need to buy him a new jacket though. It’s getting colder,” she said, remembering how The Artful Dodger had shivered on their morning power-walk in Central Park. Poor little love. Last year’s fleece jacket was a bit worn. He needed a new one very soon. “I also do yoga and pilates.”
“Of course. What’s your favorite book? Wait. It has to be Oliver Twist. Because of your dog.”
She flashed him another grin, impressed that he’d connected the dots between her dog’s name and the fictional character he was named for. “You are a bright one.”
“Well, I’d be an idiot if I hadn’t figured that out. Is he a pickpocket, your dog?”
“Nope. Trained him out of it. Your favorite book?”
“Toss up between Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas or The Great Gatsby.”
“Favorite movie?”
“Anything you’ve cast,” he said with a wink.
“Oh, we are a perfect pair. That’s my favorite movie too.”