Page 75 of Let’s Make a Scene

VJ smiles approvingly. “It’s great that you’re such a close family.” I can see that he means it. People love the idea that despite the passionate turmoil of their relationship, Caroline Turner and Max Jones have built a happy family. My parents are acting royalty, and that makes me a part of their larger-than-life image. It’s something Mum and Dad have always made very clear: my choices are a reflection on them.

“We are,” I agree. “In fact, we’re grabbing dinner together tonight.”

I don’t tell VJ that the thought fills me with dread, that I’m bracing myself for a healthy dose of criticism and interference in whatever the next part of my career looks like.

VJ makes a sound of appreciation, before casting his eyes over his notes.

“And the way this all played out has been a real Cinderella story for you, Cynthie. Is it true that you got the part through an open audition?”

Cynthie nods, laughs self-deprecatingly. “Yes, I’m incredibly lucky that Jasmine and Logan and the producers decided to take a chance on me. I hope they feel it’s paid off.”

“What about you, Jack,” VJ asks. “Were you apprehensive about starring opposite someone without any experience?”

Cynthie looks at me with big, soft eyes. Only I can see the cynical spark of laughter lurking in her gaze.

“I told Cynthie exactly how I felt about her involvement from the very first day,” I say, smoothly. “That opinion hasn’t changed.”

It’s a lie of course, but I know it will drive Cynthie crazy.

“You’re so sweet,” Cynthie coos. I want to strangle you, her eyes add.

“I heard that it was the chemistry read between the two of you that really cemented the casting decision,” VJ says.

“Apparently,” Cynthie agrees. “I’ve never watched the footage so I can’t tell you exactly what they saw, but with me and Jack, it’s always been…” she trails off, looking at me.

Catastrophic. Calamitous. “… dynamic,” I finish, diplomatically.

“Yes,” Cynthie agrees with a curl of her lip. “Very dynamic.”

“And early reviews of the film are all quick to mention the chemistry between your characters as a highlight. Did you find it easy to work together?”

Cynthie tilts her head to one side. “I can honestly say that working with Jack has been like something from a dream,” she says sweetly, and I hear—as if she’d whispered the words in my ear—the clarification of a total fucking nightmare.

“Wow,” VJ enthuses, “so it really has been a match made in heaven.” He leans forward, and I know exactly what’s coming next. “It seems like a good time to address the rumors that sparks may have been flying between the two of you off-screen as well as on. Would you care to comment on that at all?”

We fall back into our well-rehearsed answers, the ones the publicity team prepared for us.

“We’re trying to keep our private lives private,” I say ruefully, even as my hand reaches out to touch Cynthie’s leg in a casual gesture. Thanks to her ridiculous excuse for a skirt, however, the gesture is anything but casual—the smooth skin of her thigh is warm under my palm, and my whole arm tingles.

“I think it’s safe to say we’re both very happy with the way things have worked out,” Cynthie giggles, looking up at me adoringly. She shifts in her chair, and my hand slides farther up her leg. It’s the tiniest movement, certainly nothing indecent, but both of us freeze. Our eyes meet, and I hear her breath catch.

Slowly, I pull myself away and find VJ observing us with a very knowing look.

“Interesting,” VJ says, and the two of us try to appear flustered, like we’ve accidentally said too much. This is easy enough for me, because even though I’ve removed my hand, I can still feel the heat of her naked flesh like it’s branded into my skin. And now I’m thinking about Cynthie and her naked flesh and I absolutely cannot sit here in an interview trapped in a fantasy about the costar who hates me. This nightmare is going from bad to worse.

VJ continues asking his questions for another couple of minutes, while I try to relax into the now-familiar patter with middling success.

After the interview wraps up and VJ leaves the room, I exhale, rolling my shoulders. Thank fuck that’s over.

“You were both so great!” Lorna bustles forward from the corner where she’s been lurking on her BlackBerry. “Terrific stuff!”

“Thank you,” I say.

“Just a thought,” Lorna puts in brightly, “but is there any way Cynthie could crash this family dinner of yours tonight? I’m just thinking it would be a great photo opportunity for us.”

I can literally feel all the blood draining from my face. I cannot think of anything worse. Seriously, this is some ninth circle of hell shit. My parents would rip Cynthie to pieces, and smile the whole time they were at it. I could never put her through that.

“I’m busy,” Cynthie says shortly, and I exhale in relief.