by Elle Spencer
Jack ignored her sarcasm, even though the slight curve at the corners of his lips said he kind of liked it. “I’ve created a cover story. You’ll memorize it. And it’s your job to get to know Quinn so that when you’re together in public, it’s believable.”
“I’ve got this, Jack,” Lacey said, impatiently. “I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. I can look at a rock and cry because it’s so damn gray, which makes me blue and reminds me of the dolly my druggie daddy never gave me as a kid and before you know it, I’ve got real tears in my eyes.”
“Druggie daddy?” Jack opened another folder – the one containing the research he’d done on Lacey.
“Me and him, homeless on the streets of New York. Works every time.”
“Wasn’t your father a college professor?”
Lacey shrugged. “Still is.”
It was Jack’s turn to roll his eyes. “Actors…” He closed the folder and tucked it back in his briefcase.
“Make you a wealthy man,” Lacey said.
Jack leaned forward, folding his arms on the table. “Do you always have a sarcastic reply?”
Lacey’s leg stopped bouncing. She opened her mouth and quickly closed it. She looked down at her hands and then met Jack’s gaze again. “I’ve had a tough year. People I loved and trusted, they let me down. And I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Loving and trusting?”
“Exactly. And honestly, I’m kind of ok with having a script for my life right now.” Lacey tapped the paperwork with her finger. “You know, as long as you two don’t screw me over.”
“Nobody’s going to screw you over, Lacey. I think you’ll find this to be a very lucrative arrangement, if you sell it right.”
“No problem. Selling love has been my job my whole life,” she said. “You want me to be the excited, giddy, high on life girlfriend? Put me in front of Oprah and I’ll have her wishing she was me.”
“Just don’t do a Tom Cruise and jump up on the furniture,” Quinn said, walking into the room. “Sorry, I had to make a quick phone call. I take it we’re in business?”
Jack looked at Lacey. It was her call. And as far as he was concerned, she’d be crazy to pass up the opportunity. Her attitude could use a little adjusting, but she really was perfect for the role. He believed the two of them would make a beautiful couple and he was pretty sure all of America would agree with him. Quinn Kincaid and Lacey Matthews would soon be the “It” couple and Jack Harris would keep his best client, and possibly gain another. “Ms. Matthews?”
Lacey picked up the pen. “Show me where to sign.”
“The dotted line usually works.” Quinn offered her a fake smile. Lacey gave her a heated look and signed the contract.
“Well, this should be fun,” Jack said, his eyes darting between the two of them.
***
Lacey paced in front of the window that looked out on to the pool and guesthouse that would soon be her new home. She knew she should back out of the deal right now, while she still had the chance. Just walk away. But the truth was, she was tired.
The last six months had been hell. She’d gone through almost all of her savings, traveling between the coasts, going to every audition she could manage. She was never “quite right” for the part, they’d tell her. All the career-related rejection would have been enough for anyone. Her girlfriend dumping her on top of it? Yeah, the last six months had taken its toll.
What she really needed, was to find a role where all that cooped up anger and frustration could win her an Oscar. Or, at least an Emmy. Hell, a People’s Choice Award would be welcome at this point. But finding that role had been an exercise in futility.
Lacey had started young in the business. Her mother saw a spark in her only child; a kid with a big personality who wasn’t afraid of anything or anyone. Lacey’s very first audition landed her the role of ten-year-old Sarah Covington, illegitimate heir to the Covington fortune on the long-running daytime soap opera, Light of Day.
She’d been playing the same character her entire career, and she’d only recently realized just how lucky she’d been. None of that changed the fact that she was a seasoned, highly trained actor (she went to Yale for god’s sake!) and this scheme with Quinn made a joke out of everything she’d worked so hard for. A joke that paid extremely well, but still – a goddamned joke.
Quinn walked back into the room after seeing Jack to the door. Lacey turned to her new, albeit fake, girlfriend. Jack was right. Quinn was a full-on style maven. Her blonde hair was pulled up, a few loose strands framing her face. Because who doesn’t rock a perfectly coiffed up-do on a Saturday afternoon? Her faded, skin-tight jeans showed off her long legs and that sheer blouse… Lacey had to work to tear her eyes away.
Okay, so the scenery wouldn’t be so bad, inside the house and out. She finally forced a smile. “Jack said I’m supposed to get to know you.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Quinn said. “And I don’t want you getting cozy with my assistant, either. You’ll meet her soon but she knows nothing about this. I keep my relationship with her very professional. We don’t go to movies together and she doesn’t run my bath for me.”
Lacey sighed. “Yeah, I never had one of those. Two decades in the business and I’ve never had a fucking assistant.”
Quinn sat on the sofa, motioning for Lacey to do the same. “You like that word.”
“The F-word? Does it offend your fragile sensibilities?” There was that sarcastic tone again. She’d have to work on that.
Quinn chuckled. “No, it doesn’t offend me. And honestly, all this anger makes it really easy for me to not like you, which is probably for the best. Frankly, I’d rather act chummy with you than be chummy with you.”
Lacey wanted to say it again. Fuck you, Quinn Kincaid. Fuck you and this stupid idea and also, fuck you for thinking anyone gives a flying fuck about your fucking sexuality. Except, Lacey knew better. Of course, people cared. Agents cared, producers cared, casting agents cared, the audience cared. “Sorry,” she said, her eyes on her hands. “I guess I didn’t realize how bitter I really am. Even I don’t like being around me sometimes.”
Quinn’s only reaction was a slight smile. “My inner circle is small, and I’d like to keep it that way. This house is my refuge. I don’t host big parties here. My family lives on the east coast and they rarely visit. We usually meet in Aspen for the holidays. My assistant meets me on the set, so you being here is kind of a big deal.”
“I’m honored,” Lacey said. Her eyes wandered around the room. After she’d left the day before, she tried to remember if she’d seen any family photos in the living room. Looking around again, she didn’t find any.
“No, you’re not, and that’s okay. The last thing I need is someone worshipping the ground I walk on and then committing suicide when I kick them out.”
Lacey huffed out a laugh. “Good god. That’s a bit …”
“Charming?”
“Predictable.”
“Whatever,” Quinn said with a wave of her hand. “I imagine you’ll take the money and run without so much as a goodbye. Jack knows his stuff.”
Lacey met Quinn’s gaze. “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, why not just…”
“Just what, Lacey? Keep living a lie? Why did you come out? Surely you knew the risks.”
“Actually, I had no idea it would be as bad as it was,” Lacey admitted. “And if you must know, I did it for my girlfriend. We had a good life. We were out in our private lives, just not at my work. Neither of us knew the toll it would take.”
Quinn leaned forward, softening her tone. “If you’re not up for this, you need to tell me. You’re obviously still healing.”
Healing? Lacey wasn’t healing, she was surviving. Rock bottom didn’t seem that far away. Or, maybe this was rock bottom – being Quinn Kincaid’s fake – oh god, was she really going to do this? Yes. Yes, she was. And if she couldn’t look herself in the mirror for a while, that was okay too. At least
she wouldn’t have to see the angry, bitter person she’d become. “I have nothing to lose. I’ve already lost it all. But with this, maybe I can get my life back.” Lacey fought like hell to keep the tears at bay, but she couldn’t keep her voice from quivering. “I just know so much is missing. And I need a good job. I was the breadwinner.”
“Wait. Hold up. Did she leave you because you got fired?”
Lacey couldn’t hold Quinn’s gaze. “It’s way more complicated than that.”
“Is it?” Quinn asked.
Good question. Lacey didn’t have the answer, and she certainly didn’t want to think too hard about it. She just wanted her life back, including her girlfriend. And on top of that, she was angry at herself for divulging so much personal information. She straightened her shoulders and forced a somewhat pleasant smile. “If you don’t mind, Quinn, I’d rather not talk about her.”
“I probably wouldn’t either.”
“Excuse me? Quinn, you literally live in a glass house.” Lacey gestured with her hand toward the massive window. “Maybe you’re not in a position to make judgments about your fake girlfriend’s very real ex-girlfriend.”
“I’m sorry. That was out of line. Let’s keep it professional.” Quinn stood up and walked into the kitchen. Lacey breathed a sigh of relief and followed her. “My assistant will be told that you’re traveling back and forth between coasts at the moment, so I offered you the guesthouse. This is the kitchen.”
Lacey sat down at the breakfast bar. She stifled a laugh at Quinn’s introduction to her house and smiled brightly. “Yes, I recognize a kitchen when I see one.”
Quinn put her hand on her hip. “So much for sophisticated New York humor. Are you sure you’re not from New Jersey?”
Lacey waved her hand as she let the laughter go. Laughing was easier than crying. “I’m sorry. I promise I’m not always like this.”
“And I promise I’m not the enemy.”
“Right.” Lacey pointed at Quinn and winked. “Not the enemy. I’ll try to keep that in mind.” She giggled again, relieving some of the pressure in the room. “Sorry. I still can’t believe we’re actually going to do this.”
Smiling, Quinn said, “You have a cute giggle. It makes up for the…” she shook her head. “Never mind. There’s something I wanted to ask you.” She leaned down, resting her elbows on the other side of the breakfast bar so they were eye to eye. “You mentioned a vibe, and I’ve been wondering…”
“Oh, the gay vibe?” Lacey asked, interrupting her. “Yeah, you made the mistake of taking off your ever so stylish sunglasses.”
“So…I looked at you wrong?”
“I wouldn’t say wrong.”
Quinn covered her eyes for a second. “Oh god, what did I do?”
Lacey laughed under her breath. Was Quinn really this clueless? “Well, straight girls admire earrings and hair styles, but that’s not where your eyes went.”
“Where did they go?”
“I’m pretty sure you know.”
“I should’ve been more discreet.” A blush started creeping up Quinn’s neck. She straightened back up and tried to cover it with her hand.
“You like my lips.” Lacey was having fun now. She’d found a weakness and she sure as hell was going to exploit it. “A lot.”
Quinn shot her a glare. “Don’t flirt with me. We’re keeping this professional, remember?”
“Oh, come on, Quinn. I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t find me attractive. And besides, I’m not flirting. You asked, and I’m telling you what gave you away. Your eyes lingered where straight girl’s eyes don’t. And not like a man. Men have one focus, but women like it all…and cleavage too…but that’s not the only thing they look at.”
Quinn nodded sheepishly. “You have nice arms.”
“Now who’s flirting?” Lacey teased.
“I’m just saying that I noticed them that day.” Quinn gestured with her finger at Lacey’s arms. “You were wearing a sleeveless shirt and I noticed.”
Hmm…this was interesting. Quinn was full on blushing from cheeks to chest. “And you have incredibly distracting eyes,” Lacey said in a low, sexy voice she hadn’t heard herself use in quite some time.
Quinn looked away again. “You wouldn’t know that if I’d kept my sunglasses on. Or, anything else about me.”
“I couldn’t stop looking at them. That’s how I know where they went.”
Quinn cleared her throat and put up her hand. “Okay, this conversation…”
“Scares you?”
Quinn folded her arms, standing in a protective stance. “Cards on the table?”
Lacey motioned with her hand as if she were a dealer in Vegas. “Lay ‘em out.”
“We’re not going to fuck. Ever. Contract or not. Yes, you’re beautiful, and I will have no problem selling this, but that’s where it ends.”
Lacey chuckled. “So, you can say the word. And I told you, I’m in love with someone else, but once again, I find your arrogance amusing.”
“I’m not arrogant.” Quinn took a deep breath. “I’m scared, okay? I don’t want to lose everything I’ve worked so hard for.”
“Then don’t do this coming out thing. Nobody is forcing you to risk everything. For what, Quinn? You’re not even in a relationship. No one’s saying, ‘If you really loved me, you’d tell everyone.’”
“Are you trying to talk yourself out of a job? Because…”
Lacey put up her hands. “You’re right. You know what you’re doing and like I said, I’ve got nothing to lose.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Quinn desperately wanted to back out of the deal. Truth be told, she figured Jack wouldn’t be able to find someone with the right qualities. Known, but not famous. In need of the work, but not desperate for it. Unattached. Gay. Gorgeous. Why was Jack so damn good at his job? As if anything about this was his job.
Quinn knew she needed someone who wouldn’t worship the ground she walked on. Even other actors could sometimes act like rabid fans and that would get old faster than Lacey’s cynicism. What bothered her was the way this woman looked at her, with eyes that seared into her soul, reading every secret, every vulnerability she had. And then laughing at it. Mocking it with her eyes and that sly little grin. It was unnerving. It was also untrue. Eyes that seared? Quinn realized she was being ridiculous.
On second thought, maybe a fan was exactly what Quinn needed. Someone young in the business who would hang on her every word. Someone who would listen to her and follow instructions without hesitation because they came from the mouth of the very successful, very famous Quinn Kincaid.
Lacey Matthews was the exact opposite of that. God. Had she and Jack made the wrong choice?
Quinn stood there frozen, wondering how to end this deal here and now. Her eyes tracked Lacey as she sauntered over to the sliding glass door. A fan wouldn’t saunter. She’d wait for further instruction, eyes wide like a hungry puppy dog.
Not Lacey. She opened the door and let the warm sun hit her face. “I can’t wait to get out of that hotel I’ve been staying in,” she said, leaning against the door frame.
Quinn walked over and stood next to her, her arms protectively folded like they’d been most of the morning. “Don’t you have friends here?”
“I do, but as you can see, I’m a total bitch right now and I didn’t want to have to be the nice house guest. You can’t just take their bedroom, you have to play with their kids and eat dinner and smile. A hotel was easier.”
“You need to heal,” Quinn said. Lacey looked at her with those big, brown eyes and Quinn quickly looked away. Lacey Matthews was the one for the job, whether Quinn liked it or not. Even though she rubbed Quinn the wrong way, Lacey seemed honest and forthright, not to mention strong. Yes, Lacey had been through a lot this past year, but Quinn could see her underlying strength. In fact, she found it more attractive than she would ever admit. Because that’s not what this was, nor would it ever be. This was a business deal. Period.
&
nbsp; Quinn stepped outside. “Just relax for a while. Get your bearings, and in a few months, you can take on the world again.”
Lacey kicked off her sandals. She dipped a toe in the pool and then turned back around. “Cards on the table?” Quinn nodded. Lacey hesitated for a few seconds and then said, “I really need that.”
Quinn could tell that was a hard thing for Lacey to admit. She was trying to hide it well, but the pain of what she’d been through was evident. Taking Lacey by the elbow, she said, “Good. Come with me. I think you’ll like your new digs.” She led Lacey past the pool to a small guesthouse. “You’ll have complete privacy out here, and everything is brand new. You’ll be the first one to stay out here since it was renovated a while back.”
Lacey walked in, her eyes wide with shock. “This is bigger than my apartment in New York. And a full kitchen too? I love to cook.”
“That makes one of us. I’m a terrible cook.” Quinn stood back, feeling proud of the renovation. She’d worked closely with the designer to make the house, including the guesthouse, more her style; clean and modern. She’d purchased the house purely for its privacy and security, not because she loved it. But looking at it now, and seeing it through Lacey’s eyes, she felt a sense of satisfaction that she’d made the right choice.
Lacey ran her fingers across the white marble countertops. “Do you have a workout room, too?”
Quinn pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. “Those hills behind us. That’s where I ride my bike.”
“I’m more of a treadmill girl. Too much traffic in New York.”
“I’ll ask Amy to get right on that.” Quinn pulled an index card out of her back pocket and looked at it, hesitating slightly. This was it. Once she handed this card to Lacey, it was pretty much a done deal. She looked Lacey in the eye and offered the card to her. “Here are the security codes for the doors and the gates. They’re all different so put them in your phone or something.”
Lacey took the card. “Thank you for trusting me.”
Quinn shook her head. “I don’t. I’m scared shitless that you’ll turn on me, but we’re in this now and I need you.” Quinn hoped Lacey could hear the sincerity in her voice and take her seriously. She hoped she’d understand just how serious this was and act accordingly. And she prayed for a good outcome.