Chapter Seven
“I said no.”
Spencer entered the house and frowned at the annoyance he heard in Kristen’s voice.
“I don’t see why we need to have our parents involved,” Kristen continued.
“You guys are supposed to be married.”
“No. No. No.” She threw her hands in the air. “There’s nothing to film. It’ll just be a bunch of awkward people having dinner together.”
Spencer caught himself smiling at the wedding bands on Kristen’s hand and shook his head. “Is everything all right?”
“The producer wants a shoot with our parents next week.”
“No.”
Kristen’s lips hooked into a smirk. “See, he isn't interested either.”
The producer sighed and held his hands up in peace. “Let’s just get tonight’s date-night over first.” He tapped on the script on the dining table. “Your scripts.”
“I’ll go change.” She shared a look with Spencer before heading to her room.
“I’m going to change, too.” Spencer took a shower and changed into a white shirt and black pants, then grabbed the leather jacket he had flung on the desk.
Just before stepping out, he flung the jacket back on the desk and opened his closet to reach for a more formal suit jacket. He was surprised when he heard Kristen talking to one of the production crew members outside. Was she ready?
Spencer opened the door, and there was Kristen. She had on a black dress with a heart-shaped neckline, overlaid with floral black lace that covered her shoulders. His eyes moved down the black sash that showed off her slim waist and onto the end of the soft skirt that fell to slightly above her knees.
The black heels she had on lengthened her long legs, and his thoughts ran wild with images of his hands on them.
He cleared his throat. “You look amazing.”
“That’s a good reaction. Did you catch that?” Neal asked the cameraman, and the man nodded.
A production crew member moved forward and handed Spencer a bouquet of baby’s breath.
“For me? How sweet.”
The crew member laughed. “It’s for you to give Kristen. They’re her favorite flowers.”
“You did your homework,” Kristen said.
Three times, Spencer gave Kristen the same bouquet of flowers while Neal told the cameraman the various close-ups he wanted. He sighed when Neal finally let them off.
Spencer and Kristen hung back in the kitchen while the crew went off to set things up at the restaurant.
“How did your meeting go?” Kristen asked.
“Good. My friends helped, so the meeting went a lot better than I’d expected.”
“That’s great.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I was thinking, we should tell the producers about the dinner we’re having for the homeless. Let them know you paid for it and let them make a big deal out of it. I think it’ll get them off the topic of filming our families.”
He shook his head. “You don't have to do that.” He had never been in love, never felt his heart get broken. But he doubted she would be in the mood to film that day, much less at a location and on a day her wedding was supposed to be on.
“Are these really your favorite flowers? I don't think they’re even considered real flowers.”
She picked up the bouquet in front of her. “They’re tiny flowers, and they’re beautiful. I love them.” She looked around the house. “I wonder if there’s a vase somewhere for me to put this in.”
“I’m sure someone would get one for you if you asked.”
She shrugged and set the bouquet aside. “So, are you ready for the paparazzi to see us with our rings?” She wriggled her fingers. “I’m sure the producers will make sure of it. Have you told your mom?”
He swore. He’d forgotten all about doing that.
“Well, there’s some time before we head out. You should warn her.”
“You’ve told your parents?”
“Right after Heidi threatened me into doing this.”
“Threatened?”
Kristen waved it off. “I’d been moping around, and she said that if I didn't do this, she’d call my parents and tell them I hadn't pulled myself together the way I promised.”
“Is that what you did after I dropped you off? Moped?”
She rolled her eyes. “I was trying to write, but it’s rubbish.”
“Maybe that’s because of all the moping you’ve been doing. You’re missing a little bit of fun.”
She leaned forward on the dining table. “Are you missing your parties? Hoping I’ll suggest going to a club?”
“After what happened, I’m not looking forward to creating another scene.”
“Did you know Melody?”
Melody Leigh. “I think so. She seemed to know me.”
She tugged a corner of her lower lip between her teeth. “You know it wasn’t your fault. It was an accident.”
“I didn't even remember her name.” Not until after what happened. And now, her name was stuck in his head. “And she wanted to dance. If I’d just danced with her instead—”
Kristen reached over and grabbed his hand. “She might not have fallen off the balcony, or she might still have. You had no idea what would happen. It was an accident. It wasn't your fault. Don't torture yourself with the if-onlys.”
Since the accident, he hadn't told anyone but the police what happened. The police had interrogated him over and over again, and they'd always asked why he hadn't done this or that.
It made him wonder, too. If he’d done something differently that day, would Melody Leigh still be alive?
“It wasn’t your fault,” Kristen repeated as if she’d read his mind.
He turned his hand over and held hers. “Thank you.”
She gave his hand a squeeze. “Anytime.” She looked over at her phone when it buzzed. “You should call your mom and let her know what’s going on.”
He looked down at his empty hand, wishing he’d held on to her hand for a few more moments. What’s wrong with me? He clenched and released his hand. He had to call his mom before she got the idea her son had gotten married without informing her.
Spencer stepped out of the black BMW and went around the car to help Kristen out of it. Flashes went off all around them, and the production team was right there with the cameras and microphones as well.
Holding Kristen’s hand, he grinned at her, and she returned a brilliant smile. They lingered next to the car while he handed the key to the valet so the paparazzi could snap more photos. This was why the production team planned this dinner, so Spencer and Kristen could start showing up in public as a couple and generate interest for We Got Hitched.
Kristen moved along with him.
They hadn’t discussed how they would behave once they stepped out of the car. In the car, they’d chatted about work, the safest topic since their every move was captured by the cameras on the dashboard.
And now, it was as if Kristen just understood and knew exactly what had to be done.
Though they’d only known each other for two days, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement between them.
Right on the first day, Kristen had shown she was someone he could trust. She had his back, and he wanted to do something for her in return. Which was probably why he couldn’t stop himself from buying her the ring and paying for the caterer.
He followed the hostess to their table. Halfway in, he could sense a change in the atmosphere of the restaurant. It was as if everyone there knew something awkward was going on except for him.
Right then, Kristen tensed up next to him. She froze for a moment, and Spencer took the chance to scan the restaurant. Alvin. Did the production team plan this?
Spencer placed a casual smile on his face. “Do you want to go?” he whispered into Kristen’s ear. He was giving Kristen a choice, but he knew it wasn’t much. She couldn’t just turn and walk out of here now.
The paparazzi had captured their photos coming in. If she left now, news of her leaving at the sight of Alvin would be plastered all over the magazines tomorrow.
She cleared her throat and swallowed. “We’re here for our date.”
He nodded slowly and pulled her closer. He planted a kiss on her cheek before whispering, “You can do this.” He winked, and they continued to the VIP room.
A glowing orb hung from the ceiling by a thin metal wire cast the room in a low orange light.
Two cameramen were already inside, each taking a corner of the room. In the middle was a round table with silver utensils and a tea candle on a white tablecloth.
Spencer let go of Kristen’s hand to pull out the dark brown chair for her.
“Thank you.”
He settled into his own seat, and the waitress came over with their menu. “Should I order for us?”
“Sure.”
“How much do you love your steak?”
“Enough to not mind having it two days in a row.”
He grinned and ordered steak for both of them, a bottle of red wine, and dessert. He asked the waitress to recommend an appetizer and ordered that as well. The waitress left, leaving the door to their room open.
“At least we have a room to ourselves, even though they had to leave the door open so everyone outside could see us.” He peered over at the cameraman who gave no reaction.
Kristen nodded.
“I’m sorry about Alvin.”
“We’re bound to run into each other sooner or later. And now I understand the script.”
He reached over and took her hand, and she smiled. According to the script, he was supposed to ask her about Alvin and make sure she was feeling all right, but Spencer was sure the last thing Kristen wanted was to discuss Alvin.
Spencer ran his thumb over her knuckles and grinned at the diamonds and sapphires glistening under the lights. “What did you mean by saying the songs are you, but not really you?”
Her brows rose slightly, and he could catch the question in her eyes. Still, as he expected, she went along with his lead. “Have you heard any of my songs?”
“I’ve heard a few on the radio from time to time.”
“So what do you think?”
He took a deep breath, and she laughed.
“You hate my music that much?”
“No, just not really my kind of music.”
She nodded. “It isn’t my kind of music anymore.”
“Because you’re no longer in love?”
She shook her head. “Then writing breakup songs would’ve worked, but it’s more than that. I don’t know. I feel the need to grow, to be different.”
“To experience new things.”
“Exactly.”
Spencer thought about what she’d said. “Yesterday morning when you took the stage with your fan.”
Her lips parted. “That was a new experience. I had so much fun. I still can’t believe I lost, though.”
“You love to sing. I could see it in your eyes when you were on stage. You come alive.”
She laughed and pulled her lower lip in. “That’s a compliment, right? You’re not saying that I’m like a dead fish now.”
“It’s a compliment.” He glanced around. “So do you think you can sing any song to a single beat?” He stopped when the waitress came in with their wine and appetizer, then continued after she left. “If I were to give you a list of songs, could you sing them all to one beat?”
“Is that a challenge?”
“Let’s try.”
She laughed and shook her head. “I don’t have anything now.”
“You just need a beat, right? I’m sure we can get that on the phone.”
“Are you serious?”
“Let’s make this more fun. If you can do it, I’ll cook and wash the dishes for the next week.”
“Nice,” she said.
“And if you can’t, you’ll …”
“Order takeout for you for the whole of next week.”
“That’s too easy.” He snapped his fingers. “You’ll teach me how to play the guitar.”
“You want to learn?”
“I’ve always wanted to learn, just too lazy to find a teacher.”
“Okay, how about this. If I can’t do it, I’ll teach you how to play the guitar. If I can do it, you’ll have to learn a song on your own and play it to me.”
“Hmm.”
She extended her hand, and he took it. “Deal.”
She grabbed her phone and after tapping some stuff, a steady beat played from her phone. “Let’s go.” She rubbed her hands together.
Spencer called out the first song, and she rolled her eyes. “That’s easy.”
Her body swayed from side to side with the beat; then she sang the chorus. He listed another song, and she eased into that song after a bright smile. They went on and on.
“Nice,” he said when she managed one especially tough one. He gave her another song title, and she raised her index finger to take a sip of water. “You’re just trying to delay losing.”
She belted out the song and pulled her lower lip in.
Spencer almost groaned when she did that. Every time she pulled her lower lip in, all he wanted was to lean over and take her lower lip between his own.
Kristen finished up the song and blinked. “Have you run out of songs? Did I win?” She threw her hands in the air. “Yay!”
He’d been so distracted by her lips that his mind was blank. He laughed. “Right, you win.”
“So you owe me a song.”
He groaned.
They dug in, and he talked about some of the embarrassing dating stories he had. He wasn’t thrilled that some of the stories would be on TV, but he was enjoying Kristen’s laugh too much to care.
“Hi, I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
They turned to Alvin, who had sauntered over with Ruby on his arm.
“We were about to leave, and I thought I’d just come over to see how you’re doing.”
Spencer hadn’t worked with Alvin before, but Alvin had been popping up all over the social media sphere because of his affair. Still, Spencer gave him a look over.
Alvin seemed over six foot tall, nearly as tall as Spencer was. But Spencer was certain he was taller than Alvin. And unlike Spencer, Alvin had dark brown hair and eyes.
Blond hair and blue eyes are more popular with the ladies. Spencer’s eyes flickered over to Kristen, and he was suddenly tempted to run a Google search to find out how her ex-boyfriends looked like. Was Alvin—with his rigid square jaws and cocky smile—Kristen’s usual type?
Spencer was cocky, but no one had ever said he had a cocky smile—like the one he would like to smack off Alvin.
“I thought you didn’t date, Spencer.” Ruby blinked twice, fluttering her way-too-thick fake eyelashes, and tugged at her tight black and red dress that accentuated her assets. Instead of taking a second look, Spencer found himself frowning.
It’d been fun that night when Ruby had dressed up for him, but he didn’t care much for how she looked now. He was just glad Kristen didn’t dress like Ruby. “For her,” he pointed at Kristen, “I do.”
Kristen grinned and turned to Alvin. “We’re doing great. Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thanks,” Ruby said and looked at her engagement ring. “It really is too big for my taste, but Alvin was afraid people would make comparisons, so he wanted to make sure my diamond was larger than yours. You know how people are.”
Spencer looked over at Kristen, and they broke out laughing. “How big is that? Should I get you a bigger one?” he asked Kristen.
“Please don’t. I think it’ll be too much of a distraction when I play my guitar or keyboard.”
“Are you saying you’re getting engaged?” Ruby’s eyes squinted. “No way.”
Spencer shrugged and smiled at the waitress walking in.
“Wait.” Ruby suddenly grabbed Kristen’s hand. “Are these wedding rings?” She glanced over at Spencer’s hand. “Did you guys get drunk in Vegas and get married?”
“Our desserts are here,” Spencer said. “Would you mind letting go of my wife’s hand so she can eat?”
“Your wife?” Alvin’s thick brows rose. “Kris, is he serious?”
“Why do you care?” Spencer asked. “Trouble in paradise?” He narrowed his eyes at Ruby. “Did he get sick of you already?”
“Not everyone’s like you,” Ruby snapped.
“Like me?” Spencer turned to Kristen. “Kris doesn’t have a problem holding my attention.”
“We’ll head off first,” Alvin said.
Spencer and Kristen waved them off and turned their attention to the desserts, continuing their on-camera date as if nothing happened.
Kristen pulled the fork out of her mouth. “Mmm … the lava cake is good. You should try it.” She pushed the plate over to him.
They finished up their desserts and headed back. In the car, they talked about dinner and restaurants they loved. Only when they got out of the car did Spencer ask, “Are you all right?”
She nodded and glanced down at her feet.
“Your feet hurt?”
“Heels.”
He kicked off his shoes and put them next to her feet. “Wear mine.”
“And you’ll wear mine?”
“I’ll just walk in my socks.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Of course you can.” He held a hand out for her.
She hesitated for a moment, then stepped out of her heels and into his shoes. “You really know how to charm a woman.”
He frowned. “I’ve never done this for anyone before.”
“Let me rephrase. Thanks for everything tonight. I really enjoyed myself.” She pursed and released her lips. “And thanks for what you said to Ruby. Thanks for standing up for me.”
He grinned, but looked over his shoulder when he once again felt the sensation that someone was staring at him.
“What is it?”
He bent down and picked up her heels. “Nothing. I just keep thinking someone’s watching. Maybe it’s just the after-effects of having cameras follow us everywhere.”
Kristen scanned the area. “Let’s go home, then.”
Home. He held his arm out for her, and she took it.