Page 14 of PR Stunt

My mouth opens and then closes. My brain is still buffering.

Juno, who has been unusually quiet until now, suddenly gasps, hand flying to her chest. “Oh, shit,” she breathes.

I whip my head between them. “Wait. Hold on.” I laugh because this has to be a sick joke. “You… You’re not serious.”

Anna gives me a look.

“Oh my God,” I whisper. “You are serious.”

A pr stunt.

Never in all my years in this industry have I faked a relationship. I get the business appeal, sure—but personally? Hard pass. It’s never been something I’d entertain, especially not with Grayson of all people.

Anna knows this. She brought it up once, at the start of my career. I shut it down so hard that she never mentioned it again.

“Absolutely not,” I declare.

I finish the rest of my wine and slam the glass down on the coffee table, the sharp clink echoing through the room. Then I’m on my feet, pacing in front of the fireplace and dragging a hand through my damp hair.

Anna exhales. “Charlie, listen. This isn’t just damage control. It’s leverage.”

She leans forward like she’s strategizing a negotiation. “The media’s already running wild. This gives us control. Instead of a messy scandal, it becomes a power move. You and Grayson, Hollywood’s golden girl and the industry’s favorite bad boy? It’s pr gold.”

I cross my arms. “It’s lying.”

“It’s business,” she counters. “You know how this works. You’ve been in this industry long enough to understand that perception is everything. And let’s not pretend this doesn’t benefit you. The right headlines could push you into the next phase of your career.”

I laugh once, sharp and dry. “Sure. Fake dating Grayson Cole sounds like the healthiest move for my mental well-being. And mind you, I gave the man a chance. Before I could even get a proper bubbly buzz going, he was already trying to get me alone. Be so for real, Anna.”

And of course, Juno picks that moment to chime in. “I mean…it’s not the worst idea.”

I whip around to face her. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”

She shrugs, unfazed. “I am on your side. I’m also on the side that maybe gets you laid.”

I gape at her.

She holds up a finger. “And, may I point out, by a very, very hot guy. No strings attached. Could be fun.”

Anna sighs, and I don’t miss the twitch of a smile. I consider throwing sashimi at Juno’s face.

Turning back to Anna, I say, “Okay, let’s pretend that I’m on board. How does this actually help me? His reputation is a mess. How does being associated with that not hurt my credibility? People will think I’m not well if I end up on his roster.”

Anna leans in. “This isn’t about fixing a headline. It’s about reshaping your image. Right now, people see you as too perfect. They admire you, but they don’t relate to you.”

I frown. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” she presses. “You’ve been in the industry for years, and the most scandalous thing they have on you is leaving a premiere early because of food poisoning.”

Juno winces. “Yeah…not your best moment.”

Anna continues, “This isn’t about making you messy. It’s about making you real. Showing that you date, that you’re human. And Grayson needs this as much as you do.”

She holds my gaze. “And before you say it, I know what happened with your ex. But this isn’t that. The past is the past, and we’re not letting history repeat itself. This time, you’re in control.”

I do date. Just not for public consumption. That part of my life is one of the few things that’s still private.

I cross my arms. “Please… And it’s not like I can trust him. Grayson thrives on this kind of attention.”