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So I walk them to the door instead, holding the blanket around me with one arm.

Each of them kisses me goodnight—Jarek while still inside the room, and Zander from the hallway just outside the door. Two separate goodnight kisses, and one overwhelming feeling that this is no longer just casual, meaningless “fun.”

CHAPTER 25

JAREK

I read my costar’s text with equal parts sympathy and irritation.

Joy: Sorry, Jarek. None of this was my idea. They didn’t give me a choice either.

The PR team flew Joy to Colorado, even though I explicitly asked them to wait until after Christmas, when I’m back in New York.

I’m on vacation, for fuck’s sake. This is going too far.

When my publicist calls, I send it straight to voicemail. I don’t care whether he’s calling to apologize or make excuses. I said no, and the studio didn’t listen. Few things make me angrier than people meddling in my personal life.

After last night, the last thing I want to do today is a photo shoot with Joy for a fake relationship the studio wants to cash in on. They’ve sent an entire PR team to capture “candid” photos of the two of us, as if we’re falling for each other.

The whole thing is bullshit. Still, it’s not her fault. I text her back.

Me: It’s not your fault, Joy. I’ll be there in an hour, and we’ll figure this out. Sorry you got dragged out here over the holidays.

As soon as I hit send, I go find Nina. I could use her help, both as moral support and as someone who knows how to handle a mess, because that’s exactly what’s waiting for me at the Braxton Hotel, where Joy is staying.

I find her at her laptop, going through some of Zander’s holiday emails. “Hey. Can I steal you for an hour or so?”

Nina raises a brow, and she smirks.

“No, not like that.” I chuckle. “I wish. I actually need some work help.”

“Sure!” She closes her laptop and stands.

“Great. Grab your coat. We’re going to the Braxton.”

“The resort?” She reaches for her purse. “You’re going there for work? Is it something for your new movie?”

I sigh. “Kind of. I’ll explain on the way.”

By the time we pull in, she knows the whole story. She hasn’t said much since I got to the fake-dating part. I get it. Kissing Joy in a movie is one thing. Telling the world I’m in a relationship with another woman is something else.

“Hello, Mr. Eriksen,” Mack greets us at the door. “Nina, good to see you as well.”

She smiles. “Hi, Mack.”

“Hey, no hard feelings about what happened at the coffee shop, right?” I ask, only half joking.

He laughs. “None at all.”

Good. No grudge. This will make today much easier.

Mack leads us to a lobby alcove under a massive chandelier. Joy is sitting in the middle of a gaggle of studio PR people. She looks up, relieved, as we walk over.

“Glad you’re here.” She gives me a quick hug. “I’d be lying if I said I was having fun.”

I introduce her to Nina. Then I shoot a glare at the photographers the studio sent. They’re hovering with their cameras up, waiting for a shot.

I steer Joy, with Nina beside us, to a corner of the lobby where the PR team can’t hear.