Fake (West Hollywood #1) -Kylie Scott Page 0,38

public flaying was not fun. We had to get this interview right. The world must believe we were in love. True love.

“Ask me again,” said Patrick. “I’m ready now.”

“What was your first impression of Norah?” repeated Angie.

It was like he changed before my eyes. One moment he was his usual slightly disgruntled self. And the next he was the romantic hero out of a movie. His gaze warmed and his lips curled upward in a small, secretive smile that seemed to suggest a lot. Most of those suggestions were dirty sex stuff. But there was just the right amount of undying love and devotion thrown in for good measure. My stomach did some weird swooping thing. I couldn’t have looked away if I tried. Then he opened his mouth and said, “The minute I saw Norah I just knew.”

Angie clapped. “Bravo.”

“That was great,” said Mei.

“Then why were you sleeping with other women?” I asked, completely raining on their parade.

All eyes turned to me.

“I just mean . . . wouldn’t it be safer to say that one day in the not-so-recent past you looked at me and you suddenly knew that I was the one,” I said, “as opposed to saying you always knew but kept playing the field because why not?”

“Valid point,” said Mei. “Why’d you keep her waiting, Paddy?”

Patrick shifted in his seat, his expression beleaguered. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Rework the line,” ordered Angie, making a note on her tablet. “Next up. When did you meet each other’s families and how did that go?”

“It was actually just recently and I was so nervous,” I said, ad-libbing my little heart out. “But his parents are wonderful people. So kind and giving. They really welcomed me to the family.”

“Good,” said Angie. “The trick here is to answer the question without really giving them any personal information. Or at least, nothing you’re not willing to own up to and possibly have thrown back in your face during every slow news cycle forever.”

Patrick cleared his throat and said, “Norah’s grandmother is a wonderful woman.”

We all waited a moment, but he was done. What a champ.

“Would an espresso help with your hangover?” asked Mei.

“No,” he said. “Thanks.”

“The question is, how much of your background are you willing to discuss, Norah?” asked Angie. “The details of your mother’s death and your grandmother having custody are all pretty much a matter of public record. So far, articles about you have concentrated on the waitress-and-the-heartthrob angle. There’s been some digging into your past, as expected, but only the basic facts have been presented. Beyond the episode involving the nude photo, of course. Do you want to give them more? It would—”

“No,” said Patrick, tone adamant.

“I was asking her.” Angie pointed a shiny red fingernail in my direction. “Norah’s a big girl. She can make her own decisions.”

“What did you have in mind?” I asked.

“Let’s see . . . there’s the trauma of losing your mom at a young age,” said Angie.

I winced. “I don’t know.”

“How growing up in an all-female household, first with a single mother, then with your grandmother, helped to make you a strong, independent woman fit to tame a superstar. We could also touch on your previous bad dating experiences,” continued Angie. “How that asshole tried to rip you off, in particular. Those would all help you come across as both sympathetic and relatable.”

Patrick’s frown amped up to a scowl. “Norah, please say no. This isn’t necessary.”

“You want to save her from the scrutiny of fans and the media,” said Angie. “It’s laudable, really. But she’s already in the public eye, Patrick. You’re too late.”

Something shifted in his jaw.

“Just over a month ago you were caught up in a sex scandal with one woman,” she said. “Now you’re engaged to another. Both of you need to work hard if we’re going to sell this. We need to keep our eye on the prize . . . and that is fixing your reputation, Patrick.”

“Along with you two having a long and loving committed relationship, right?” Mei raised her chin. “I mean, that goes without saying.”

“Right,” said Patrick, his voice lacking all credibility.

My fingers twisted in my lap. “Let’s just concentrate on getting the facts right for our whirlwind romance first. We can think about the rest later.”

My cell buzzed and I picked it up without thinking.

Angie sighed. And while she had a point regarding cell phones distracting people during important meetings, I kind of needed a minute’s break. A barrage of new emails and messages