Player in Paradise by Rebecca Lewis Page B

“You’re joking, right? Priscilla will have my head.”
    His foot pounds the ground and stops me dead in my tracks. “I’m not going. So either you come with me, or have fun with little Miss Bitch on your own.”
    I bite my tongue to keep from yelling obscenities in the middle of the luxurious hotel lobby. It won’t make a difference if I’m with one star and not the other, the point is that they’re supposed to be together in public. Why must he be so damn difficult?
    Poking my side, he nudges me toward the restaurant. I drop my hands from my waist and follow his lead. The hostess seats us at a booth in the back. It’s almost lunch by now, but we order pancakes and eggs.
    He shovels a forkful of syrup-covered-buttermilk-goodness into his mouth. “I think you’re better than this job.”
    I jolt back in my seat, dropping my fork on my plate with a clank. “What do you mean by that? I happen to like my job.”
    “You’re better than being a babysitter to fuck ups like me. You should be organizing press tours and setting up interviews with big-time entertainment media, not just getting the paparazzi what they need for the day.”
    I slowly pick my fork back up and circle it around my food. “Oh…kay…”
    He stops munching and places his large hands on the table. “ You could work for me. Without the agency.”
    “What?” I don’t know whether to laugh or feel honored that he has such faith in my PR abilities.
    “You could forget about making Priscilla happy, forget about Cassidy’s craziness. And if you work for me, then I wouldn’t have to pretend to marry someone I despise. I bet I can get out of my contract with PWR and you can spin something around to make it sound like I’m the hero when I split up with the bitch.”
    His eyes catch mine and my cheeks grow warmer. “That’s really sweet of you Austin, but I can’t. It’s in my contract – I’m not allowed to leave the agency to work for a client. And besides, I don’t have enough experience, or that many contacts in the industry.”
    “I’m sure there’s some way to get out. And I think you would be just fine. You believe in me, and you’d keep me honest, and that’s what’s important, right?”
    I swallow hard and nod. “Of course I believe in you, but...” I quickly stare up at the ceiling to break away from his probing gaze. If I leave the PWR Group, Priscilla could tarnish my reputation, and I might not be able to make a good name for Austin in the industry if she turns on him too. Besides, I’m just not prepared to take a leap like that yet. “I’m sorry Austin, but I can’t do that.”
    His chair grates against the floor as he exits the table and storms off, leaving a half-eaten pancake on the plate.
     

Chapter Sixteen
     
    “He wants me to leave the PWR Group.”
    “What?” M andy screams. “No!”
    “I know! I would never do that, especially for someone as temperamental as him. He might have me fired off his service for kissing him the wrong way.”
    Mandy sighs. “Please tell me your escapades with him are over.”
    How do I explain this to her? She’s one of my closest friends, but I don’t want anyone to find out about how far Austin and I have actually gone…
    “Olivia?”
    “Yes?”
    “You’re screwing him, aren’t you?”
    “I cannot confirm or deny these allegations.”
    “Shut the fuck up, you little ho,” she jokes.
    “I am not a ho!” I try to stay serious, but a giggle escapes with the words.
    “Oh my God…what was it like?”
    “I’m not talking to you about this! Goodbye Mandy!”
    “No, no wait. Tell me what’s happening with the engagement. Priscilla is super excited; she’s already talking to producers for a wedding reality show.”
    “Ugh, I don’t know. I need to go through the details with Austin, but he’s nowhere to be found. He bolted after breakfast and won’t return my calls, texts or emails.”
    “He’s a moody little fucker, huh?”
    “Yeah, especially when he