I looked at her skeptically. "Don't you think you'll scowl during the interview?"
She scowled at me. "No."
"Don't you think they'll bait you? About mansplainers and all?"
She jutted out her chin. "I'm perfectly capable of handling the press, Kyle Richards. Kyle Richards who's only been in the spotlight for twenty-four hours."
"Okay," I said, not wanting to fight.
"Okay." It sounded as though she was forcing herself to drop it. "It's been a long day. I'm gonna take a shower. You want to watch TV afterward?" She almost sounded nervous, as if I might say no.
As if I would ever say no.
"Of course," I said. "Meet you on the couch in fifteen."
She came out in her sweats, with wet hair, and handed me a glass of wine. She sat on the couch, yawning. "I'm already bored. Nothing to do but starve."
"I refuse to let you starve. I know you don't want me to say it, but your body's perfect, Lo. Anyone who tells you otherwise should Photoshop themselves out of existence."
It looked as if her face was turning red, but I couldn't be sure.
"That's sweet," she said. "I just wish the rest of the world agreed with you."
"The rest of the world does agree with me—it's those freaking industry people who are insane. People love you because you're a great actress, and because you're funny and gorgeous."
She just looked at me, seeming confused. "That's... nice. I don't remember you being nice. You're kind of freaking me out."
"I can be nice," I said defensively. "I'm nice."
"You didn't use to be nice," she said.
I sighed and looked at her helplessly. "I already said I was sorry. And that I've grown up. Now let's just have some wine and relax for once."
She just looked at me. "Wine has too many empty calories."
"Fine. I'll drink wine and relax. You can sit there and scowl."
She scowled at me, and I rolled my eyes at her.
"Let's not worry about dieting right now—let's worry about the next couple of weeks. We should make plans," I said. "We should go to the gym together. Go to Jamba Juice. Hit a different hot spot every night. Work the reporters into a frenzy and make your agent and director happy."
"I'd actually love to just get out of here for a while. I haven't had this much time off in forever," Lo said wistfully. "Can we pretend to go on an exotic vacation?"
"Can we just go on an exotic vacation? My favorite beach is in Hawaii. I'd offer to take you, but... I'd need you to front me some cash." I smiled at her, humbled. I'd had all the money in the world for so long, I thought nothing of jetting off to Hawaii for a weekend. I used to do it all the time. But I never brought anyone—I always wanted a fresh island hookup.
I didn't think I realized how gross I was until lately, when I was the fresh hookup.
Lo sat up straighter. "We should totally go to Hawaii. The magazines always have pictures of the stars vacationing there. You can teach me to surf. Perfect photo op."
The idea of her standing on the board in front of me, my hands around her waist as I showed her how to get her balance, made my cock twitch. Down, boy. The days when I answered to it were over.
But I would really like to have my hands around her waist.
But more than that, I needed to be a responsible, competent professional. For once in my life.
"Hawaii is my favorite place in the world. Let's say if we turn this situation around and emerge victorious, we'll treat ourselves and go. When this is all over and you've paid me, so I don't have to borrow money from my hot Hollywood actress girlfriend," I said, winking at her. "But right now? I think we should stay here and work the press."
She nodded. "It's a deal. If we pull this off, I'm going to get back in Lucas's good graces. As long as your dad doesn't rat us out and the press doesn't find out anything."