Page 83 of Love Unscripted
“Hmm,” he murmured, clearly impressed, already going back for another bite. “Speaking of your close friends—who are these people, and when am I going to meet them?”
She laughed, the sound easy, unguarded. “Is this the man who is always lecturing me about us keeping our relationship under wraps for the next few weeks?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Don’t worry,” she said, smiling. “You’ll meet them soon. In fact, interestingly enough, one of them is married to that photographer who did those photos for you in GQ. When is that issue coming out anyway? I keep checking and it hasn’t been published yet.”
“Two weeks,” he replied. “It’ll coincide with the wrapping of the film and the marketing push.”
“Oh.” She raised a brow. “I was surprised you chose GQ.”
“Wasn’t really my choice. Chris—our marketing guy—told me they were interested in showcasing Dad, Grand-dad and me. A generational spread. I complied, though honestly I regretted it afterward.” He exhaled lightly. “I picked up an issue the other day and realized that GQ is not just secular, its much worse than that. It emphasizes worldly, materialist, and hedonistic values. It places excessive importance on outward appearance, consumerism, and superficial definitions of masculinity. It can also be quite coarse. When I mentioned my misgivings to Dad, he confessed that he had erred in judgment as well.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“What can I do? I already went ahead and signed an agreement, did the shoot. If we’re called out on it by Christian media, all I can say is that we made a bad judgment call.”
“I’m really surprised to hear this. I pretty much thought you were perfect up to now.” She smiled faintly. “I guess I don’t feel so bad now. If even solid Christians like you and your dad can end up being ensnared, it gives me hope.”
“Well, it should remind you that there is an unguarded moment for all of us.”
Camille nodded, her expression thoughtful—but her mind had already drifted elsewhere. To her own missteps. To choices she couldn’t undo. Walking away fromShadow Peakmidseason instead of seeking legal advice. And now… the possibility that her actions might ripple outward—might even damage Aaron’s film.
“So, marketing is going to be heightened now, hmm?” she asked, her tone carefully casual.
“Yeah. There’s a meeting next week. They’re going to share the full plan with the cast. Interviews, promotions, maybe travel across the country.”
“Isn’t this early days yet, Aaron?”
“No. Apparently we’re actually a bit behind schedule.”
She pierced a potato with her fork, her gaze lowered. “So what would happen if it were delayed?”
“Delayed how?”
“I don’t know… like something occurred to delay the marketing.”
“Something like what?”
“Well…” She shrugged lightly. “Suppose the lead actors were unavailable for whatever reason.”
He didn’t answer immediately.
“That would be disastrous,” he said finally. “There would be no point releasing the movie if the marketing hasn’t been doneproperly. If no one knows about it, then they won’t come to see it—and all of our work would have been for nothing.”
He studied her more closely now. “Why are you asking me this? Do you plan on disappearing when we’re marketing the film?”
“Oh no. Not at all,” she said quickly. “I was just curious. More potatoes?”
After the main course, she rose and returned with dessert.
“Tiramisu.”
Another groan from Aaron.
She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re very expressive.”
“I appreciate excellence,” he said solemnly—then ruined the solemnity with a grin.
