CHAPTER TEN
A wave of happiness and contentment washed over Nate as he and Paige crossed the threshold to his home in London. He hadn’t spent nearly enough time here in the last few years so it was precious when he could. Of course if he couldn’t revive his career soon he might be spending quite a bit of time in London whether he wanted to or not. His agent was getting offers – lots of them – but they weren’t the kind that were coming in only a year ago. Smaller pictures. Lower budgets. The one place that seemed to still embrace him was the stage and for that he was grateful. If it didn’t work out with the Flynn role, perhaps his new play might revive his career. Being a serious actor and getting good reviews certainly couldn’t hurt the situation.
No, he wouldn’t allow himself to think negatively. It simply had to work out with Paige and her book. Hollywood wanted the project badly; the only thing holding up the deal was that she wanted quite a bit of creative control. One of her contractual demands was that she be allowed to approve the casting. That was where he came in.
He trusted her to fulfill her end of their bargain and he planned to do the same. He’d help raise her profile, sell some books, and hold her hand on the red carpet. He felt badly that she was going to get some nasty backlash from some of his crazier fans – and that was something he should warn her about – but he didn’t regret the agreement. Flynn was his ticket to giving him a new start. It was a romantic and heroic leading man role, plus he’d get to direct as well. There was probably already a long list of actors that were salivating to be cast.
They’d be disappointed. For once he was ahead of the game.
“This is nice,” Paige said as she walked around his living room, taking in the decor. He was rather proud of it actually as he’d picked everything out himself. “Startling white walls but otherwise very nice. You’re probably too busy to paint.”
Nate took in the room – clean lines, black leather furniture, and beige throw rugs on the gleaming wood floors. He had been busy but he hadn’t ever planned to paint. What was wrong with white?
Then he realized she was just baiting him again and he inwardly rolled his eyes and kept his mouth shut. She wanted him to react but he was starting to see how she operated. She called him a fake? She wasn’t any better than he was. This was how she kept him at arm’s length, letting him into her life but not too close.
If he was being honest she was smart to do it. He wasn’t a man that did “forever” with a woman. If she got too close she might get burned. He liked her and the last thing he wanted to do was break her heart.
“Exceedingly busy. Let me show you around.”
She trailed after him as he showed her the kitchen and laundry room at the back of the house. His study was off of the living room next to the stairs and he ushered her to the second floor where there were three bedrooms – the master, the guest, and a spare. Paige would stay in the guest room that used the hall bathroom. She’d have it to herself. His bedroom had an ensuite.
She seemed most fascinated with the third bedroom that really wasn’t a bedroom at all since there was no place to sleep. There was a long table that he used when he was packing for a trip but this space was mostly filled with his career memorabilia, including gifts his fans had sent him. Paige was currently studying a painting of Kai from the Thunder movies that he’d hung on the wall.
“This is amazing. A fan sent this to you?”
Nate was incredibly proud of his fans and the devotion they showed him. He’d lost a few after last year but most had stuck by him even when he didn’t deserve it.
“Yes, I received that after the first Thunder movie. It’s a good likeness, yes?”
She turned, an excited smile on her face. “It’s almost a photograph. It really shows the complexity of the character too. Kai’s playfulness but also his arrogance mixed with anger. You can see betrayal in his eyes but also hope.”
“Hope?”
“Hope that someone will love him.” She laughed and ran her fingertips over the edge of the frame. “Let’s remember that I write romantic stories.”
“Of course. You must have your happy ending.”
“It’s required. Why read a book otherwise?”
A myriad of reasons.
“Some stories don’t end that way. In fact, most don’t. Romeo and Juliet is a great love story but it doesn’t end happily.”
She snorted and made a face. “Romeo and Juliet is not a romance or even a great love story, Nate. It’s two teenagers with a dramatic crush playing house. Six people die because of their antics, including themselves. That’s not great love. That’s stupidity. It might, however, make great theatre which is something Shakespeare was good at.”
So Romeo and Juliet wasn’t her favorite play. Noted.
“You like Shakespeare?”
He’d love to discuss it with her and lots of other books as well. Get a writer’s perspective.
“He’s okay,” Paige shrugged. “I’m more of a Tennessee Williams kind of gal.”
Nate had read several American writers as well and that was one he enjoyed immensely. It would be nice to have someone around that he could talk literature with. Most of his girlfriends called him a dork or a geek and changed the subject when he brought up books.
The doorbell pealed and Nate frowned, checking his watch. “It’s eleven at night. Who could be at the door?”
“We’ll never know until you answer it.”
Cheeky woman. He liked her sarcastic and funny tone.
“Au contraire.” Nate pulled his phone from his pocket and pulled up his security app before showing the screen to Paige. “There’s a camera at the front door. I’ll get your phone set up with this too in case you’re ever here by yourself. I’ve had some close calls with some rather…passionate fans, you might say.”
He loved his fans but sometimes they crossed a line or two.
“Stalkers. Got it. I read Misery, and that shit is not funny. At all.” She squinted at the screen and looked more closely. “Is that Maxwell Hayes?”
He was and Nate had a feeling he knew why. Or at least he hoped so. Things were progressing exactly as planned.
“Just call him Max.” Nate led them down stairs and opened the front door to his friend who he hadn’t seen in months due to them filming on opposite ends of the world. They were good about texting and staying in touch but it wasn’t the same. He’d make sure they had a couple of pints at the pub so they could catch up. Nate still owed Max a rematch at darts from last time.
“Nate, you’re home. I hope you don’t mind but I called your assistant to find out what time you’d be in.”
So this wasn’t a spur of the moment visit because the lights were on.
“I don’t mind at all. Come in and meet Paige.”
Max’s brows went up and Nate realized his friend hadn’t been expecting Paige to be there. He’d become quite protective of Nate since last year, constantly advising him about the press as if he hadn’t had his own issues. Still, it was done out of care and concern so he appreciated it and didn’t say anything except thanks.
Nodding stiffly, Max shook the hand Paige offered. “Nice to meet you, Paige. I’m Max.”
No one could be formal and stuffy like Max and this moment was no exception. Paige darted a confused glance at Nate but smiled warmly despite the chilly reception. “It’s nice to meet you too, Max. I must say that I am an admirer of your work.”
What had crawled up Max’s arse?
“Thank you.” Max turned back to Nate, dismissing Paige rather rudely. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Fishing for information, Mr. Hayes? Just what do you want to know?
“I was just showing Paige around and thinking we might order in a pizza before heading to bed. We’re knackered after that long flight.”
Well, he was anyway. Paige looked wide awake after her long nap. He’d warned her but she didn’t listen.
He hoped that didn’t become a habit.
Nate stole a glance at Paige and was surprised to see that far from being miffed or angry about Max’s behavior, she seemed rather amused by it all. She was perched on the arm of his couch and watching the back and forth between him and his best friend with a smile playing on her lips.
Max looked at Paige and then back at Nate, sighing. “I actually need to speak with you, Nate. In private, if possible.”
Nate was about to tell Max it would be impolite but Paige simply stood and waved them off. “Go right ahead. I’ll just avail myself of the facilities. I’ll even fix my hair to give you extra time.”
With her handbag slung over her shoulder, Paige disappeared into the powder room off of the kitchen which left Nate alone with Max. First things first.
“You were very rude to her, Max. I’d like you to apologize when she comes back. She didn’t deserve that sort of treatment. She’s a nice woman.”
Max’s eyes narrowed. “A woman who is spending the night apparently. How long is she here for? Is she moving in?”
Nate crossed his arms over his chest. “Max, why are you here?”
His friend exhaled noisily and pulled an iPad from his jacket pocket, touching the screen a few times before turning it so Nate could see. The photos were a tad blurry but anyone could see it was Nate and Paige boarding a plane at JFK. The caption was the usual crap.
Who is the mysterious blonde with Mason? Has he found a new love?
It was exactly what he’d been hoping for. He wanted a candid shot of them to make its way to the press so they could start slowly getting the public used to seeing them together. This was a solid beginning. Hopefully Garrett and Helen were already on top of things.
At the right time everyone would know he was involved with a smart, accomplished woman who liked to keep a low profile. And that was the plan. They would not be splashing photos of them kissing and holding hands on the front page of every tabloid. They’d go quietly about their business and let the press come to them. Mystery was the order of the day.
“So? Paige and I were at the airport. Is that why you came over here so late? To show me a picture in some gossip rag?”
“Nate, what in the hell are you doing?”
“I’m not sure what you’re asking, mate. That’s a photo of me and Paige boarding our flight back here.”
Max flicked a gaze toward the kitchen but Paige was nowhere in sight. “Who is she and how did you meet? Jesus, how naive can you be? She probably had that pap at the airport waiting for you two. There are a lot of women that want to ride on your coattails after last year, Nate. Women who don’t care if the publicity is good or bad.”
Nate thought about stringing Max along a while longer but Paige would be returning soon and he was too exhausted anyway.
“It’s a contract, Max.” He held up his hand as his friend’s face turned red. “Well, not an official contract but an agreement, really. All my idea. Believe me, Paige is about as innocent as you can get when it comes to publicity and PR relationships. It took three of us to convince her to do it and honestly I’m not sure she even likes me all that much, although I’m working on that and making progress.”
Eyes wide, Max shook his head. “Then why did you do it, mate? What can this Paige do for you? Is she an actress?”
Nate shuddered at the thought. He was done dating actresses and models. No more.
He pointed to the doorway where she’d disappeared. “That intelligent and lovely woman is none other than Paige Mitchell, the bestselling author. I’m going to play Flynn and also direct. In return, I’m helping her raise her profile so she’ll have more leverage with the studios plus giving her a hand with the personal appearances. So please try and be nice when she joins us. She can be a pain in the arse but as of a few days ago, she’s my pain in the arse.”