Page 79 of PR Stunt

“That’s gorgeous!”

I follow the calls without thinking, drifting from angle to angle as camera flashes explode across the staircase. A steady hand finds my waist. Grayson leans into me, his voice just for me.

“You’re making this very difficult for the rest of us.”

Oh, please. He rehearsed that one in the mirror. Probably tested different inflections.

I laugh softly, letting my head tip slightly like he just told me an inside joke. “You’re too sweet.”

Wrong. So wrong. Grayson grins. The way his fingers press just slightly before releasing my waist sends another ripple down my spine. Before the space between us settles, he takes my hand in his. The weight of his palm against mine grounds me, and I try hard to mask the way my pulse betrays me. Grayson steps back a fraction, hand clasped at his mouth like he’s considering a masterpiece. A slow, deliberate tilt of his head.

I feign modesty, shaking my head—playing my part.

His gaze drags over me, assessing and indulging. So damn cheesy. But we’ve settled into good improv, and the cameras love it. Then, he’s close again. A hand at my waist, anchoring me in place. The flashes go off, capturing everything. The way we tilt toward each other, the illusion of undeniable chemistry. Heat. Steady, unrelenting heat. I fight the instinct to step back. He shifts even closer, mouth near my ear, head angling enough so the cameras can’t catch his lips.

His voice drops low, rough around the edges. “I bet you taste just as good as you look.”

His boldness makes my breath stutter. Did he just… A split second later, my gaze shoots to his. Liquid heat. My pulse stumbles, those words sinking too deep and settling way too low. Too charged. I recover fast and let out an easy, airy laugh, like I’m in on the joke. Leave it to him to purposely unnerve me. A handler gestures us farther up the staircase toward the center landing, where the paired photos are staged. Grayson’s hand briefly presses against my lower back as we move together through the flashing lights and overlapping shouts from photographers below.

“Grayson! Charlie! To your left!”

“Right here, Charlie, Grayson, look at me!”

I tilt my chin slightly, my expression poised. His gaze finds mine. Striking under the lights.

Then, somewhere in the crowd, a voice cuts through.“How ’bout a peck for the camera?”

I freeze. What? No. No, no, no. Not an option.

Another voice, louder. “Let’s see it, lovebirds!”

I briefly scan the crowd for Hailey, desperate for some kind of rescue, some excuse to pivot, but I don’t see her. Dammit. Of course, she disappears the second I need an escape route.

A sharp pull coils low in my belly, my heart hammering so loud it drowns out the clicking cameras. There has to be a way out of this. A joke. A laugh. Something. Grayson and I lock eyes.

For a second, neither of us moves. Then I take a breath, step in closer, and nod. Just once. Subtle.

But it’s enough. If we don’t kiss now, it’ll look off.

Grayson moves toward me. His hand slides up, fingertips pressing lightly against the side of my neck. I stop breathing. Oh, hell. My body goes still, rigid, like if I don’t move, maybe this isn’t really happening. Then his lips brush mine softly. The perfect mix of restraint and intimacy.

A kiss meant to be seen, not felt, gone so fast. But I feel it. I feel everything. The warmth of his mouth, the faint hint of pressure, the way his hand stays firm against my skin. Heat licks down my spine, settling deep in my core, like my body didn’t get the memo that this is all for show. It’s quick. Barely anything. A single second stretched impossibly thin. And yet it unnerves me. The photographers go wild. I force a smile, forcing myself to to breathe—to act, not react. My skin burns where his hand still rests against my throat as if he’s branding me.

He pulls back just slightly, his face still close, as if making sure I’m fine. As if my pulse isn’t suddenly impossible to ignore. He takes my hand in his again, guiding me to the top of the stairs. The carpet levels out, and standing in front of us is a famous YouTuber whose channel I love. She covers comfort, home, travel, and day-to-day life. She’s smiling wide, mic in hand, her cameraman already rolling. Grayson and I come to a stop, his hand letting go of mine and wrapping back around my waist.

“Charlie. Grayson,” she gushes, gaze bouncing between us. “You two are a vision.”

I laugh, shaking my head slightly. “Ah, thank you. You look incredible.”

My smile lingers as I try to settle my pulse, willing away the heat still humming beneath my skin.

She narrows her eyes, a spark of curiosity lighting her face. “Okay…I have to say it.”

I swallow a groan. I wish we didn’t have to do any interviews. It’s bad enough that I have to pose and fake this to my family and friends.

She turns to Grayson. “You two. I’m here for it.”

Grayson grins, standing back slightly, gaze raking over me.