Turning to his computer, Ben clicked on the website link for Entertainment News. He needed to be up to date on the latest gossip around Hollywood, particularly when considering casting and people for this new film.

They had a director lined up now, and it wasn't Russell Rains. It was a new kid with a lot of heat behind him. Shepherd Films was trying to appeal to the millennial generation, so he'd decided to cast only the newest talent on the scene to be part of the movie.

The buzz about it was doing great so far, and if Scarlet's Letters turned out to be a hit, he was fairly confident he could restore Shepherd Films to its former glory.

Actress Aria Rose Cast as Lead in HBO Mini-Series About First Woman to Pass Bar Exam in New York, Katherine Stoneman.

She was the very first article that popped out on him from the page. Ben was proud of her accomplishment. Aria had the talent to play a suffragette, and she certainly had the old-school Hollywood look to play a woman in the late 1800s.

He read the article fully then leaned back from his desk, resting his head against the back of his chair. Last time he'd seen Aria was on the plane on the way to that audition. If he didn't count the picture she sent him from London a few days later.

The last month had been all work, and he was loving every minute of it. He'd thought being assigned to a dead-end studio was a demotion, but he was fast learning that it was one of the most exciting challenges of his life.

The problem wasn't the job, however. It was going home. A glass house with a view of the Hollywood sign. Beautiful modern architecture and clean lines. Most people would envy him, and he knew he should be grateful for the life he was able to live.

But all those clean lines of glass and metal was cold and unforgiving when the only occupant was him and the memories a failed marriage.

He missed the quaint coziness of Aria's apartment overlooking the beach. If he was being honest with himself, plain and simple, he missed her.

She hadn't contacted him since London, apparently busy filming the HBO series. Heat had died down slightly about her mystery man, but the Public Relations Department's strategy of “say nothing and it will go away” was definitely not working.

Ben reached the bottom of the article and saw another one with her name, letting out a long sign.

Actress Aria Rose Spotted Dining in New York City with Mystery Boyfriend,

Ben's teeth clenched together, and he tried to identify what he was feeling. His stomach turned because he knew for a fact that this mystery man sighting was not him. Is she dating someone?

Ben copied the link and sent it to her in an email with the subject line. "Need to Talk."

Fuck. I shouldn't have done that. He immediately regretted sending the email, but it was already gone.

About two minutes later, his cell rang and Aria's picture popped up on the screen.

"Hello," he answered.

"'Need to talk.'" She repeated his words, sounding slightly off put. "That's a bit rude, don't you think?"

"It got you to call," he teased.

"Ben."

He took a deep breath. "Fine. You're right—it was rude."

"Thank you." There was silence over the line for a minute. "I'm not dating anyone, if that's what you're wondering."

Ben immediately let out a long breath he hadn't even realized he was holding.

"It was dinner with Travis." Her co-star on Scarlet's Letters—Ben liked him. "He was in New York and wanted to catch up."

"That's nice of him."

"He actually had an interesting proposition…" Aria paused again. "It might solve some of our PR issues."

"Really?" Ben was happy for any solution at this point. He was hours away from firing the entire Public Relations Department on his end, since it shouldn't be so difficult to squash one damn story. "What's his idea?"

"Travis is—and I'm only telling you this because he gave me permission, but it needs to stay between us, promise?"

"Okay," Ben agreed, feeling wary about where this was going.

"Travis is gay, and he's not ready to come out. His family is...let's just say, not understanding." Aria sighed, and she sounded so sad that he wished he could reach through the phone and hug her. "He wants to be my Mystery Man."

Ben furrowed his brow. "Wait…what? He wants you to be his beard?"

"Yeah, and I'm totally fine with that if it will help him. He was so distraught, Ben. We need to do this for him."

Ben chuckled quietly, unable to keep the smile from his face. God, he loved how kind she was, how much she always did to help others. After thinking it over for a moment, he gripped the phone a little tighter. "You know, this might actually work out well. Tabloid stories about co-stars dating can do wonders for movie promotions. Scarlet's Letters would definitely be helped by it. Travis would get to keep his secret a little while longer—though I wish he didn't feel like he has to. And you and I..."

"We will be a distant secret long over that no one needs to find out about," she finished for him. "No more rumors circulating about my love life, and no possibility of people thinking I slept my way into a role."

Distant secret. She wasn't wrong, of course, but it was hard to hear. He was beginning to wonder how distant he really wanted them to be.

"I want to meet with both you and Travis to plan this. Can you fly to Los Angeles soon?"

"I'm still filming the mini-series for 2 more weeks, and then I'm coming back to audition for Murals," Aria explained. "We could meet then."

“Murals? I thought you said they were in talks with someone else."

"They were, but it fell through. Looks like I may get a shot!" Aria sounded excited, and he could almost visualize her doing a little dance at the very idea of it.

"That's fantastic. HBO and big box office. Told you that you were going place. I'll send you and Travis a meeting request via email. See you then?"

"Sounds good." Aria's voice got a little quieter, trailing off. "Goodbye, Ben."

"Goodbye, Aria."

He hung up the phone and looked at the calendar. Two weeks and she'd be standing in front of him again. There was no doubt he'd count down every day until then, and he hated himself for his lack of control. She was not his girlfriend, and she didn't want to be. Hell, he didn't want her to be.

Time to stop thinking with his heart and get back to being in charge. He was cutthroat in the boardroom and the studio, and one weekend of lust—love—wasn't going to change that.