I planned on telling Brighton my decision about my future, our future, then.
Kathleen snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Luke. Hello? We’re here. Are you going to make me get out first and help you out?”
I forced a smile. “Of course not.”
She lifted her chin and grinned. “Remember, stand on my left so I can show—”
“Your good side. I know, Kathleen.”
Not many actresses I’d worked with were such superficial bitches like Kathleen. But there were a few of them out there…and this one was the queen of the pack.
“Okay, Hank,” I said, indicating we were ready.
Hank got out and made his way around to open the limo door. I’d wanted to arrive in the Mercedes, but Kathleen wouldn’t think of showing up in anything less than a limo.
As I stepped out, I smiled and waved at the fans and press there. Hank stood off to the side, scanning the area. I saw him frown as he focused on something behind me.
“Luke, Bri—”
“For fuck’s sake, Luke!” Kathleen whisper-shouted, cutting off whatever Hank was going to say. “Take my goddamn hand, will you?”
I reached my hand into the limo and helped Kathleen out. She instantly pressed herself against me, and I put my hand around her waist as we walked toward the entrance. Reporters from different outlets called for us to look at them for pictures. Every now and then, Kathleen would reach up and whisper something dirty in my ear.
“I want to fuck you in the back of that limo.”
I had to force myself to laugh, pretending she was saying something altogether different. When what I really wanted to do was gag. At one point, I leaned down and whispered back, “Knock it the fuck off now, Kathleen, or I’ll walk away and leave your ass out here alone.”
She laughed and leaned her head against mine while someone snapped a picture.
“Has filming started yet on Love Rebound?” someone called out as we walked up the steps.
“Kathleen! Luke! Does this mean you’re dating? What’s it like to date your co-star?”
Kathleen snickered. “Like I said. Publicity, Luke.”
I rolled my eyes and motioned for her to walk in first. Reaching into my jacket pocket to text Hank, I cursed.
“Fuck.”
“What’s wrong?” Kathleen asked.
“I must have left my damn phone at home. I was in a rush to get dressed and out the door.”
She patted me on the chest. “Don’t worry, darling. The only person you need to pay attention to tonight is already on your arm.”
If people weren’t staring at us as we walked into the ballroom, I would have rolled my eyes again.
We mingled for a bit, and Kathleen kept her arm draped in mine, even though I tried twice to untangle myself from her. From across the room, I saw Hank. He motioned for me to come to the side to talk to him, but Kevin Courter stepped up and started to chat with me. He was a seasoned vet with two Oscars. It would have been rude to snub him.
He reached his hand out for mine, and I was finally able to get Kathleen off of me. “Luke, such a pleasure to see you here. I really enjoy this event that Bryce puts on.”
I nodded. “It’s for a good cause, that’s for sure.”
“What’s it for again?” Kathleen asked as she beamed up at Kevin. He laughed, thinking she was kidding.
“At ten-thousand dollars a plate, I’d think you’d remember, Kathleen,” Kevin joked.
“Battered Women of Boston,” I said, glancing at the clueless woman next to me.
“Oh.” She waved her hand in the air. “That’s right. I knew it had to do with women’s rights.”
Kevin’s smile faded as he looked at me with a befuddled expression. This time I did roll my eyes.
The music started, and Kathleen took hold of me again. “You promised me the first dance, Luke.”
“I don’t remember that,” I said with a fake-as-hell smile.
Kevin slapped me on the back. “Son, never turn down the opportunity to dance with a beautiful woman.”
“It’s just—”
Before I could finish, Kathleen was tugging me to the dance floor. Since there was press here, I wasn’t about to make a scene, even if they had been vetted and wouldn’t publish anything untoward. It was easier to dance with Kathleen and then send her on her merry way.
I glanced back over at where Hank had been and found him making his way toward the other side of the room. He wound his way through couples and groups of people talking. He clearly had someone or something he was attempting to reach. Letting my gaze wander over to see where in the hell he was rushing off to, I nearly tripped.
“Bree,” I whispered.
Kathleen tensed in my arms. I was about to excuse myself when she ran her fingers through my hair, causing me to look at her with what I was sure was a confused expression.