Take Two (The Jilted Bride #1)(14)

No!

“Yes,” I plastered a smile on my face and kept my eyes on Miss Turner. “Finish your question please.”

“What about the scholarships? Is it true that you give each graduate a $75,000 scholarship for college?”

“Yes. I’ve partnered with a group of sponsors to ensure that students have post graduate assistance throughout their college careers.”

“And if they choose not to go to college?”

“They are made to submit a four year plan to the board, and we award them an amount that we see fit.”

“Okay, now how do—”

“Good afternoon baby,” Selena sat in my lap and pressed her lips against mine.

“Selena,” I reluctantly kissed her back.

“I’m Selena Ross,” she held her hand out to Miss Turner.

“I’m Miss Turner,” she smiled, and I could almost see the wheels turning in her head.

“Miss Turner, would you excuse me and my fiancé for about twenty minutes? I’m sorry to interrupt your interview but this is very important.”

“Not a problem at all,” she quickly grabbed her recorder and left the room.

“Joan,” Selena frowned. “I’ll come out when I’m done here.”

Joan looked at me and turned away. She helped the stylist gather her things and signaled for security to leave.

“What the hell was that?” I yelled.

“Whoa. Calm down,” she eased out of my lap. “I’ve got some great news! Aren’t you going to ask me what the great news is?”

You asked for this…

“Aren’t you going to tell me anyway?”

“Duh! Tomorrow, you and I are going to do an exclusive interview with Ryan Seacrest on E! They’re doing a special taping here in New York!”

“Yay,” I said dryly.

“Oh come on. Don’t be like that. You said you’d do this for two more months.”

“Yeah, but I get the feeling you’re going to try to push me further than that.”

“Of course I will,” she bit her lip. “I’m always going to push you to go further with me…”

Is she trying to have sex with me right now?

“I have an interview to finish,” I stood up and walked to the door.

“So we’re not going to have sex anymore?”

“No. That’ll make it that much easier to drop this act two months from now.”

She crossed her arms. “I read that you’re having an affair with Emma Stone. Is that true?”

“What? No. I barely speak to her between takes. Are you sleeping with Bradley Cooper?”

“No, not currently. We did do it once, but—”

“Just go Selena,” I shook my head in exasperation.

“I’m sorry…Are you still coming to my launch party tonight?”

“Sure. Whatever.”

She planted a kiss on my neck before I opened the door. She winked at me and walked out as Joan and security re-entered the room.

“Where’s Miss Turner?” I asked.

“I told Miss Turner we would continue the interview later. You have two free hours tomorrow so we’ll do it across town, perhaps at your dance school?”

“You’re the best, Joan.”

She gave me a sympathetic smile. “The boys and I are going downstairs to speak to the general manager. We’re going to get you out of here as quietly as possible.”

“Don’t worry about that. I don’t mind now.”

“Okay well, we’ll go retrieve the car. Do you want one of the boys to stay here with you?”

“I’ll be okay. Thanks.”

She shrugged and they all left the room.

I walked around the suite and turned on the TV. Nothing was on except celebrity news and I did my best to avoid those types of shows. I refused to believe I was the only celebrity involved in a pseudo-relationship and it didn’t make sense to watch anyone else’s staged for TV romance.

I decided to get some fresh air.

I stood in front of the elevator and waited. As the doors opened, I collided with a woman and a crate of papers.

“I’m so sorry,” we said in unison. We both bent down to scoop up the folders. When I stood up, Melody Carter was facing me.

“Oh. It’s you,” I purposely dropped the folders to the ground.

“You’re more mature in person than you are in your movies, Mr. Sterling,” she bent down to pick them up.

Get down there and help her!

Before I could help, she’d collected the folders and was staring at me. I stared back. We stood staring at each other for a few more seconds before she broke the silence.

“Weren’t you going to use the elevator?”

She’s definitely blushing!

“I was until some lady tripped over herself and dropped her folders,” I pressed the down button. “I seem to have that effect on all women though.”

“That sounded halfway convincing, like you actually believed what you were saying. You should try more of that when you’re on set,” she rolled her eyes and turned away.

Say something! Say anything!

“Maybe you could teach me?” the elevator doors sprung open.