Taming Her Hollywood Playboy

by Emily Forbes

  ‘You don’t have to actually get married,’ Philippa responded. ‘Just agree to be engaged.’

  ‘And that would entail what exactly?’ Kat’s tone was frosty.

  ‘Pose for some photos together. Maybe give a couple of joint interviews.’

  ‘Why me?’

  ‘It makes sense,’ Oliver told her. ‘We can have a whirlwind romance.’ It wouldn’t be difficult at all to pretend to be in love with Kat. She was gorgeous, kind, smart, and he liked who he was when he was around her. She made him a much better version of himself. He wanted her to think highly of him, he wanted her to respect him.

  He didn’t want this lawsuit to paint him in a bad light, not to his fans but especially not to Kat. She was becoming important to him. Asking her to be his fake fiancée did make sense, but that wasn’t his primary motivator. He couldn’t imagine asking anyone else. But he was hesitant to tell her his real reasons. He wasn’t sure if he could handle hearing her thoughts. What if she thought he was a disappointment?

  ‘That’s a good idea,’ Philippa finally agreed. ‘You can say you fell head over heels, madly in love the moment you met. It was love at first sight. The fans will lap that up. At least the ones who didn’t dream of marrying you themselves. They’ll be hoping it all falls through.’

  Oliver looked at Kat. She didn’t look impressed. ‘I don’t think you’re helping, Philippa,’ he said before doing his best to get Kat on board. He really didn’t want to pretend to be engaged to anyone but her. ‘Kat, it’ll be fine. When we get back to Coober Pedy we’ll be tucked away in the middle of the desert, so you don’t have to worry about crazy fans—I don’t think even my craziest fans would find us there.’

  ‘You actually have fans who stalk you?’

  ‘On occasion. But I’ll look after you. And this is only temporary. Please?’

  ‘That’s right,’ Philippa spoke up again, ‘it’s only temporary. Just continue with the story until this gets sorted. I’ll organise everything for your public engagements, your wardrobe, hair, make-up et cetera for any interviews and photo shoots, and you’ll be financially compensated for your time and inconvenience.’

  ‘You’re going to pay me?’

  ‘Of course. Think of your assistance as being a service for hire, if you will.’

  Kat wished Philippa would stop talking. The more she spoke, the more incensed Kat became. She couldn’t believe Oliver’s publicist thought this was a good idea.

  She turned to Oliver to give him a piece of her mind, but he looked devastated. With the exception of when he was acting, she’d only ever seen him in a good mood. Seeing him so despondent gave her pause for thought. ‘Is this the best idea you could come up with?’

  ‘Yes,’ Philippa answered, even though Kat’s question had been directed at Oliver.

  She kept her gaze focused on him.

  ‘I’m not sure. It would work,’ he paused, ‘but whether it’s the only option or the best one, I don’t know.’

  ‘Why would you choose me?’

  ‘Because I think it’s the most believable scenario. I wasn’t in a serious relationship when I left the States, so for me to suddenly become engaged it needs to be to someone I’ve met in Australia. I know you better than anyone else here. But you need to be comfortable with the idea.’

  ‘Can I have some time to think about it?’

  Oliver looked at Philippa, reminding Kat again that the whole exercise was staged. Like Oliver’s life, everything was manipulated for publicity, for the media, for the fans. Her life was so simple and straightforward by comparison. Would she be able to pull this off? Did she want to?

  ‘We have a little bit of time,’ Philippa said. ‘It’s the middle of the night back home. Your lawyer will make a start on getting character statements about you and he’ll look into Natalie’s past as well. Can I leave it with you to discuss and let me know tomorrow? I’ve booked into this hotel too.’

  Oliver nodded and showed Philippa out of the suite.

  Kat remained on the couch. Stunned. She wasn’t sure what to think and even less certain about what to do.

  ‘Are you OK?’

  ‘I’m not sure I understand what just happened.’

  ‘I need your help.’

  ‘That bit I understand, but I need some time to get my head around it.’

  Oliver’s phone pinged with a text message, distracting them both. She was relieved; she didn’t want to talk about the situation right now.

  Oliver took his phone from his pocket and looked at the screen. ‘It’s George; he’s out of Recovery and ready for visitors. Did you still want to come or would you rather stay here?’

  She didn’t want to stay behind. Going to the hospital would give her something to do, something else to think about. ‘I’ll come with you.’

  ‘I don’t want to mention this lawsuit to George. Not yet. He’s got enough to worry about.’

  Kat nodded. That suited her. She didn’t know how they would explain the situation they were in.

  * * *

  She was pleased to find George in good spirits after his laparoscopic surgery to remove his gall bladder. He was alert and his pain seemed to be under control.

  ‘What’s the story, George?’ Oliver asked. ‘How long before we’re back filming?’

  ‘Apparently I can be discharged once my pain is under control and I can move about comfortably. I think I should be back on deck at the end of the week.’

  ‘Did you tell the doctor you’ll be going back to Coober Pedy?’ Kat asked.

  ‘I said “on location”. And that I need to fly. The airline will need a letter from her giving me permission to fly and I need to have someone accompany me.’

  ‘We can do that, can’t we, Kat?’ Oliver asked. ‘We’ve got to fly back at some point.’

  Kat wasn’t sure they should rush it. She turned to George. ‘It’s one thing being comfortable in hospital in the city, George, but it’s another thing being in the desert, five hundred kilometres from town.’

  ‘Days off are costing the studio money,’ he replied. ‘I promise I’ll follow medical advice. I’ll sit in a chair and direct. You can keep an eye on me.’

  ‘I can’t be there twenty-four-seven,’ Kat said as she refilled George’s glass from the water jug on his bedside table.

  George gestured at the jug as Kat emptied it. ‘Oliver, could you please find a nurse and see if I can have my water jug refilled?’ He waited until Oliver had left the room before turning back to Kat. ‘What did he mean, “We’ve got to fly back at some point”? What’s this “we” business? Why are you here? I meant it when I told you to stay away from him, Kat. I don’t want you getting hurt.’

  ‘It’s OK, George. I can handle it. I’m not going to get my heart broken.’

  Thank God they hadn’t mentioned the latest development and Oliver’s proposal. She hated to think what George would have to say about that. Agreeing to Oliver’s request would be the antithesis of staying away from him. A holiday fling was one thing; pretending to be his fiancée was another. The more she thought about it, the more she thought she couldn’t do it. She’d have to tell Oliver.

  ‘Oliver and I have decided we’ve had enough drama,’ she continued as Oliver came back into the room; she didn’t want him to think they’d been discussing him behind his back, ‘so if you promise you will take it easy and can stay out of hospital, I’ll agree to be responsible for your health.’

  ‘I know you think I have a chequered medical history but I am normally, fit and healthy.’

  ‘So it’s just when I’m around, then?’

  ‘Seems to be.’

  ‘You never did tell me how you two met,’ Oliver said as he looked from one of them to the other.

  ‘I was scouting some bush locations in the Adelaide Hills years ago. I twisted my knee and tore some ligaments a
nd had to be carried out. Poor Kat was one of the paramedics at the scene. We got talking about where I’d filmed, what I was looking for. Kat told me about several films that had been shot in Coober Pedy. I’d heard of it, of course, but had never been. I was keen to film there, so when this movie got off the ground I got in touch with Kat to see what connections she had.’

  ‘I told him I’d moved back to town.’

  ‘And the rest is history.’

  * * *

  Their third day in Adelaide began just as perfectly as the others. Oliver hadn’t pressed her for her answer yet. He’d planned a day’s outing for them and was keen to get on the road. Kat didn’t argue. She didn’t want to tell him her decision, not yet; she didn’t want to disappoint him and potentially taint their last day in the city.

  Oliver had organised a car and a driver through the hotel and Kat was enjoying being chauffeured around the Fleurieu Peninsula. Oliver had wanted to get out into the country and see something green, so they had visited a couple of wineries in McLaren Vale, played tourist at the weird and wonderful d’Arenberg Cube, before stopping for lunch at a clifftop restaurant recommended by the hotel concierge that overlooked the beach at Port Willunga.

  They were seated on the veranda of the restaurant looking over the water. Oliver had his sunglasses on, hiding his distinctive blue eyes. Kat knew he wanted the anonymity today and the sun was high in the sky, reflecting brightly off the water, making sunglasses kind of mandatory, but she wished he’d take them off. She loved being able to look into his eyes.

  Kat couldn’t believe people actually lived like this—chauffeured cars, five-star hotels, sipping champagne on an ocean-side cliff-top. Oliver’s future, legitimate fiancée would be a lucky woman.

  She knew she couldn’t avoid the topic any longer. He had been patient but she suspected Philippa would be less so. She knew she’d be expecting an answer the moment they arrived back at the hotel.

  She’d spent many hours last night imagining what it would be like to be engaged to him. It was all too easy to imagine and that was when she knew she really couldn’t agree to his proposal.

  ‘We need to talk about your request,’ she said.

  ‘Have you made a decision?’

  She nodded. ‘I don’t think I can do it.’

  ‘Why not?’

  She knew her feelings for him were all too real and she was terrified he’d see that. She couldn’t act, and if she played her part convincingly he might figure out that she had fallen for him. She couldn’t allow that to happen. They were too different. They had no future and it was best if she didn’t get any more involved. She was starting to worry that she wouldn’t get out with her heart intact, and playing the part of his fiancée would only make things harder. But she needed a reason that she could give him. ‘What if I’m not convincing enough? If people see through me that won’t help your case. It’ll make us both look ridiculous. If I don’t do it, will you be able to find someone else?’

  ‘Yes. Philippa had some ideas. She’ll pick someone. I told you it was totally your decision.’

  She’d half hoped he’d try to talk her round. But she knew he’d only do that if this was real, not make-believe. She knew she was replaceable. She knew Philippa had several other possible candidates to put in front of Oliver. He’d said he wanted her, but that didn’t mean he needed her. He just needed someone. He was smart enough to know there was no point in coercing a fake fiancée into playing the role. That would never work.

  He accepted her decision without argument and Kat tried to hide her disappointment. It had been her choice after all.

  The waitress had cleared their plates that now showed no traces of the freshly caught King George whiting they’d devoured. Oliver ordered coffee as Kat’s mobile vibrated on the table. She glanced at it without intending to pick it up. It was Saskia. She’d call her back.

  The phone stopped ringing but buzzed almost immediately with a text message.

  Call me—urgent.

  Her heart plummeted as icy fingers gripped it and tugged it lower in her chest. Waves of cold fear ran through her. Saskia knew where she was, she’d encouraged her to go with Oliver, and Kat knew she wouldn’t interrupt without good reason.

  ‘It’s Saskia,’ she said as she picked up her phone and showed Oliver the text message. ‘I have to call her.’

  Oliver nodded.

  Kat took her phone outside. She was aware that Oliver stood as she did but he didn’t follow her.

  She pressed redial and stood on the cliffs at Port Willunga, facing the ocean but not seeing it as she waited for the call to connect and Saskia to answer. It was a glorious day but Kat couldn’t focus on anything, her thoughts scrambling in her head as she tried to guess what was wrong. She was desperate for her call to be answered.

  ‘Sas? What is it? Is it Papa?’ she said the moment the call connected.

  ‘He’s OK.’ Saskia immediately tried to quell Kat’s rising panic. ‘He’s on his way to Port Augusta with the flying doctor.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘He had a heart attack.’

  ‘What? When?’

  ‘This morning.’

  Oh, God. Why had she agreed to come away with Oliver? What was she doing in Adelaide? Her father needed her.

  ‘How is he?’ What if he didn’t make it? What if she lost him too? Her family was everything to her.

  ‘He’s stable. But we’ll know more when he gets to Port Augusta. I thought you might want to meet him there.’

  ‘Of course I do. I’ll go to the airport now. Has someone gone with him?’

  ‘Rosa has.’

  ‘Can you message Zia Rosa, tell her I’m on my way?’

  ‘OK. Call me later. I love you.’

  ‘Love you too...thanks, Sas.’

  ‘On your way where? What’s happened?’ Oliver was beside her. She hadn’t noticed him come out of the restaurant.

  ‘It’s my dad. He’s had a heart attack.’ Her voice caught on a sob. ‘He’s being flown to Port Augusta. I need to get there.’

  The driver pulled up beside them as Kat finished speaking. Oliver held the car door open for her. ‘Hop in. I’ve paid the bill—we can go straight to the airport.’

  She didn’t ask how he knew what needed to be done; she was incapable of thinking logically. She was just grateful that he was there and was willing and able to sort things out. Someone needed to take control and her muddled brain wasn’t capable of thinking of anything but getting to Port Augusta. The actual logistics of the trip were beyond her.

  ‘Can you look up flights to Port Augusta for me? I have no idea when the next one will be.’

  ‘I’ll call the hotel. They can organise it for us.’

  Oliver had his mobile phone in his hand. ‘It’s Frank Foster,’ he said.

  Kat was only half listening. She heard something about a plane and bags.

  She kept her eyes locked onto her phone, waiting in vain for an update from someone. Anyone.

  ‘How long does it take the flying doctor to reach Port Augusta?’ Oliver asked her.

  ‘An hour.’

  ‘So, they’re unlikely to be there yet,’ he said gently, taking her phone and turning it face down in her lap. ‘I’m sure your aunt will call you as soon as she can.’

  ‘What if I don’t get there in time?’

  ‘I’ll make sure you do. I have a plan. I’m sure everything will be all right.’

  ‘But what if it’s not?’ Her voice wobbled. ‘I was in Adelaide when my mum passed away. I can’t go through that again.’

  ‘Kat.’ Oliver turned in his seat to face her. He picked up her hands and his touch calmed her, reassured her. ‘Saskia said he was stable. He’s in the hands of the flying doctors on his way to specialist care. You have to trust them to do their job and trust me to get you there. Do you?
’ He continued when she nodded. ‘And is there anything else you could have done for him if you’d been there? Other than what is happening now?’

  ‘No.’ She shook her head.

  ‘So, take a breath. I’ll get you there as soon as I can.’

  She took his advice and tried her best to relax. She was glad Oliver was with her. When she’d been in this position last time, when she’d received the phone call with the news that her mum had been in a car accident, she’d been alone. This was better.

  The car called past the hotel where the concierge was waiting with Kat’s bags, as Oliver had arranged, before continuing on to the airport. Kat grew more edgy as they approached the airport. She hoped there wouldn’t be any delays with the flight to Port Augusta, no late passengers, no mechanical or security issues. Every minute counted.

  The driver pulled to a stop well before the main terminal. Oliver had the door open almost before the wheels had finished turning.

  ‘Why are we getting out here?’ Kat asked. The entrance to the terminal was still several hundred metres ahead of them.

  ‘I’ve booked us a private plane. We can go straight onto the apron. It’s waiting for us. It’ll take off as soon as we get there.’

  ‘A private plane?’

  ‘It’s the fastest way of getting us there. Call your aunt—let her know you’re on the way.’

  Oliver took Kat’s luggage from the driver as she nodded and brought her aunt’s number up on the phone. She walked as she talked, disconnecting as Oliver introduced himself to the pilot and they walked out onto the tarmac.

  ‘How is he?’ Oliver asked as the pilot stowed Kat’s luggage.

  ‘Stable. My aunt will text any updates while I’m in the air.’

  ‘Good news. Let’s get going.’

  ‘You’re coming with me?’ Kat asked as Oliver stepped onto the stairs behind her.

  He nodded. ‘I didn’t think you were in any state to be sent off alone. You don’t mind, do you? I didn’t think you’d want to be alone with all your thoughts. I won’t interfere at the hospital, I’ll just see you safely there.’