Chapter 12

 

Mary

 

I woke up with a slight headache and a very bad ache that the only thing I knew could fix it was my left hand, or preferably Chris’s.

I probably wasn’t supposed to be lusting after my fake boyfriend and publicist, but the man was sexy with his dark eyes and gorgeous smile. He also knew how to kiss. The man’s lips could take my breath away.

If Brian hadn’t interrupted, I would have let that man take me any way he wanted on the couch. But unfortunately, the words ‘paparazzi’ brought me back to reality.

Maybe I wasn’t meant for anything more than lust, and maybe that’s all Chris would be in this fake relationship. I guess if I got my reputation back and some acting jobs, and had some fun, it would all be a win-win.

My phone buzzed on my nightstand, and I expected it to be Murray since he was the only one who ever called me, but instead, Chris’s name flashed on the screen.

I sat up and cleared my throat, fixing my hair as if he could see me before I answered. “Hello?” I said, trying to sound awake since it was past ten in the morning.

“Hey! What are you doing tonight?” he asked, very chipper and way more awake than I did.

Was this another date? Or business? Either way, I felt my heart flutter in my chest, just thinking of spending more time with him.

“Um. Nothing my publicist hasn’t told me about yet.”

“We’re going to Jersey to watch my little cousin’s play and then you’re going to give the school a donation and some words of encouragement to the young Latina actors.”

“What? How is this PR?” I sat straight up, wondering if this guy’s end game was to get some money for his family or to scare me off from going to his grandma’s birthday. Which was pretty much just a dare in the first place and I figured he’d come up with an excuse like I had an audition or something. I didn’t think he’d actually want to bring the fake girlfriend and client.

He groaned as if I just asked the dumbest question. “Charity functions and goodwill always look good for celebrities. There are tons of big celebrities that people never liked until they started doing UNICEF or other charity work. Now if you’d rather go to a soup kitchen, or just write a check for somewhere else, we can do that. But I just thought you might want to make a difference to a bunch of kids from Jersey who I’m sure would love to meet the great Mary James.”

“Did you arrange for the press to be there? Put out a release?” I asked, skeptical.

“I will, but I don’t think they’ll come to see some city kids perform Goldilocks. I thought we’d go new school. Use social media, and I figure people there will tag you as well.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, thinking about what he said. If a tree falls in the wood and no one hears it, did it fall? If an actress makes a charity donation and the press isn’t there, does it matter for her reputation?

“Look, I know you’re sitting there, mulling this over and you probably have your teeth hooked on your plump bottom lip which I can’t think too much about or I’ll be hard as a rock sitting here in this conference room.”

I found my cheeks growing hot and the heat lingering down to the ache in my core just from his words.

“But this is a different era, and your agent chose a younger guy to try something different that those other guys couldn’t achieve in the last six months. If this doesn’t get you some positive press, we’ll go old school, and I’ll rent a tuxedo and be on your arm for some bullshit gala for the NYPD that is just an excuse for people to throw money around and boost their own egos. That shit is loaded with press. But this, this is something real. A side of you the rest of the world should see.”

My heart swelled. He could go from dirty talk to complimenting my soul in the same breath. There was something to Christiano Garcia, something making me wish this was way more than just a PR stunt.

“What time should I have Brian and Lance pick you up?”

Chris laughed. “Well, I was going to take the PATH, but a rides not bad either. Traffic will be a bitch so maybe five.”

“It’s a date,” I said, the grin spreading across my face.

“It’s a date.”

 

***

 

When Chris said his cousin was in a school play, I expected an auditorium like all of those singing teen shows. Hell, even on Vamps, my character’s cousin had some big stage in a cafeteria.

But in this small, inner city Jersey school, there was only set of risers and a makeshift curtain. Rows of folding chairs that said ‘Property of St. Mary’s Church” on the back were set up in front of the makeshift stage.

I took a big gulp, thinking I was now way overdressed in my black cocktail dress and people definitely noticed me, whispering in their seats and pointing.

“You’re already getting the good press from the locals,” Chris said, nudging my side as he took my hand.

“Christiano! I never thought I’d see you in these halls again!” An older Hispanic man with gray curls and thick glasses approached Chris with a huge, crooked grin on his face.

Chris shook the man’s hand. “Hey, Senor Martinez. I couldn’t miss Maria’s big night. And, you know, my girlfriend, Mary, wanted to see some real acting.” Chris shot me a wink.

Senor Martinez’ eyes widened as he straightened his bolero tie. “I thought she looked familiar. Is this the Mary? The Vamps In The City Actress?”

I smiled and politely extended my hand. “That’s me. Though Chris tells me that his little cousin has me beat in the acting department.”

Senor Martinez cleared his throat. “Ms. James, if it’s not too much, could I ask maybe you meet my performers and get a photo for the Facebook page? They’ll get a kick out of that.”

“I’d love to.” I couldn’t help grinning at the man whose entire face lit up when he grinned.

“Muy bien! I’ll show you to the dressing room!” Senor Martinez said, putting his hand on my arm.

“Why don’t you get us a seat with your family, Chris?” I said, looking over my shoulder at my fake boyfriend.

“You sure?” He raised his eyebrows.

I smiled. “If I need you, I’ll text you.”

I also had Brian and Lance on speed dial; though I’m pretty sure the two weren’t staying in the car and probably walking the halls like two hulking beasts, afraid some grade schoolers would attack me.

Senor Martinez led me down a hallway with a few fluorescent bulbs burnt out and peeling paint on the lockers and walls. I’d never gone to school in the traditional sense, but every movie set I’d ever been on had these pristine walls and even smelled new, while this place smelled a little like cat piss.

“Mira! Students, I have a little surprise for you,” Mr. Martinez said, sticking his head in a classroom door.

Hushed whispers rang through the room before he opened the door and ushered me to step forward.

Dozens of little eyes in homemade flower costumes looked up at me.

“Is that the vampire girl?” One little boy stood up and pointed.

“Si. This is Mary James, a real actress, who is here to see your performance.” Mr. Martinez said, nodding like a proud papa as the kids looked at me with wonderment.

They spent the next few minutes peppering me with questions, asking for autographs, and some even taking pictures before Mr. Martinez got a group photo and told them it was almost curtain call time.

“I can walk you to your seat, Ms. James,” Senor Martinez said.

“Wait. I have something to give you first,” I said as we stepped into the hallway.

I still had a pen in my hand but pulled out my checkbook.

“Ms. James, you don’t need to do that,” he said, hesitation in his voice.

“I want to. I want to see this school get a real stage. Not risers. I don’t know if this will cover that, but hopefully, it’s a start,” I said, handing him the check.

Senor Martinez’s eyes bugged out before they started watering. “Ms. James, as much as the art department needs this, we can’t accept.”

I smiled, tears filling my own eyes. “Please. Keep it. And tell the kids their biggest fan said to break a leg.”