Nine
The velvet box weighed down Isaac’s pocket, practically beating like the Tell-Tale Heart. Out of last-minute options, he’d borrowed the engagement ring from the props department. It was a hunk of cubic zirconia set in platinum, but was convincing up close. It’d have to do. Might as well go big with this announcement. In a few seconds, everyone would finally meet his mystery girlfriend-turned-fiancée.
Ashley looked over at him, a question in her eyes. He nodded, the cue for her to introduce him as he’d requested before they started filming earlier.
“Before we wrap today, Isaac has a surprise for a very special audience member,” she announced to the live studio audience. His fellow actors onstage sent curious glances his way. He was about to surprise everyone.
Given this was fake, he shouldn’t be nervous. Becoming Meghan’s fiancé was a role like any other. There were lines to recite, and he knew his motivation. But when he cleared his throat and stepped to the edge of the soundstage, the bright lights overhead, the rest of the crowd faded away.
For as long as he could remember, he’d felt like he’d been doing life alone. He was now half of a whole. He was about to make it official. Before it’d been Max who’d made up the rest of him. Now, in the eyes of the public and his coworkers, it’d be Meghan.
“Meghan, sweetheart, can you come up here?” His voice held a slight tremor. He reminded himself that the show must go on. He wasn’t the only person acting in this relationship. She was, too, and he’d need to give her space to adjust and react.
As she stepped onto the stage and he took her hand, a few members of the audience whistled. A few others made high-pitched “woo” sounds.
Meghan, her smile wary, gripped his hand. He gave her a nod he hoped communicated that she could trust him, and then announced, “You’ve been anxious to meet the woman who stole my heart. Well, here she is.”
Applause and shouts of approval infiltrated the air, from the cast and crew, and the audience. “Everyone, meet my girlfriend, Meghan Squire. Meghan, this is everyone.”
More loud applause sent a rush of adrenaline through his entire body, making him feel alive. There was nothing more reliable than a studio audience. They gave the best feedback and infused the actors with the energy they needed to sell the part they were playing. He motioned for the audience to settle down, and they quieted, though excitement infused the air with a palpable buzz.
“My apologies. I misspoke,” he said, turning to Meghan. “I meant to say fiancée.”
Her eyes widened, her hand going to her mouth. He didn’t know if she was actually shocked or doing him a solid. Either way, the audience ate up her reaction. Especially when he produced the ring from his pocket.
Only when he slid it home on her left hand did the reality of their pretend situation hit him. His palms were slick with sweat, his heart racing. As if his body had mistakenly taken this act for the real thing. But it wasn’t real. Once the show had wrapped and he inevitably landed a movie deal, he and Meghan would call it done. Before she became a Dunn.
She glanced around at the people cheering them on, smiling their approval.
Ring snug on her finger, he leaned close and said into her ear, “They love you, Squire. Also, you’d better kiss me. They’ll worry if you don’t.”
She didn’t hesitate. She threw her arms around his neck, knocking him back onto his heels. He caught her easily, and enjoyed the soft slide of her lips gliding over his. When she pulled away, she appeared somewhat dazed, as if she’d been caught up in the moment like he had.
There, amidst the applause of the crowd that included both Ashley and Cecil, Isaac relaxed into his latest, greatest role. Fiancé to Meghan Squire, meant to boost her career, and resuscitate his. It was the perfect plan, perfectly executed, and with the perk of real-life attraction as the silver lining.
Through a frozen smile, Meghan asked, “Now what?”
“Now you wave,” he answered, lifting his hand to do the same. “And enjoy your newfound fame.”
After the proposal on set, Meghan and Isaac were waylaid by well-wishes from the cast and crew present. It seemed everyone wanted to congratulate them, and why wouldn’t they? They adored him and, like she’d told him before, people were rooting for him.
“We have a hashtag,” she said from her chair across from his at the deli beneath his apartment. Her cell phone screen aglow, she showed him their new nickname.
“Squnn?”Sandwich in his grip, he screwed his mouth to one side.
She wrinkled her nose. “Not very flattering, is it?”
“Best not to become flattered by anything you read,” he warned after taking a bite of his turkey Reuben. “For every handful of positive, gushy comments, you’ll find one that is pure vitriol straight from hell.”
“Yikes.” She slid her phone into her purse. Perhaps that was enough internet use for the day. “I’ve never received this much attention, but I have heard from trolls with something negative to say about my podcast. Those types of comments hurt, but I didn’t let it stop me.”
“Well, good for you for not quitting. They can burrow under your skin if you let them. You have to remember that you’re valuable and worthy of doing what you love.”
It wasn’t the first time someone had rallied around her chosen profession, but Isaac’s approval felt the sincerest. He was legitimately famous, to the point of being recognized on the street. He’d been at the top and then close to bottom and was on the way up again. A vote of confidence from a man with his experience meant the world to her.
She thanked him, and he explained that she had nothing to thank him for, that they were in this together, and again, she felt a part of something bigger than herself.
“I was thinking.” He dusted his hands on his jeans. “You should move in with me while you’re here. We’re crazy in love and engaged. Wouldn’t make any sense for you to stay with Max and Kendall.”
It was a valid point. What real couple would remain apart after a romantic and very public proposal?
“Plus, you won’t have to listen to Max and Kendall having sex at all hours of the day and night.”
She laughed so hard she made a soft snorting sound. His sandwich finished, he leaned over the table for two and lowered his voice, even though they were in a private, empty corner of the deli. “Wouldn’t you rather listen to you and me do it?”
Her cheeks warmed at the thought of more time in bed together. Of course she’d sleep with him again. No way would she miss that opportunity. Them sharing an apartment would also mean she wouldn’t have to go back to her sister’s cabin afterward.
“You’re sure?”
“In for a penny, in for a pound.” He tossed his balled-up napkin on the table. “We’re doing this one way, Squire.”
“All the way?” she guessed.
“My way. I have everything under control this time around. The show’s reboot is my second chance. You’re an integral part of my comeback.”
She smiled, liking being included in his dreams and goals. He didn’t treat her like she was a problem or like she was screwing things up. He trusted her.
She trusted him, too.