Page 72 of Love on the Byline
“Then say that. Why all the secrecy? There’s nothing to stopyou from hanging out whenever or wherever you want.”
“It’s not a secret,” Bran countered quickly. “But we’retalking about perception.”
“I’m saying why hide if there’s nothing to hide?”
“Because,” he said, leaning forward. “You can’t prove anegative. Once the rumor got out, we’d have no hope of controlling it. I can’tlet that happen to Val again. There’s no truth to it. Zero. It’s just theproduct of a sick imagination.”
Either he was the best actor Blake had ever seen, or someonehad it out for him. Could be Sonja, Sonja’s bosses, or a powerful studio exec.If she had to put her money on a safe bet, it would be Sonja. Something aboutthe way she had spoken about Bran in her office, her insistence… Somethingwasn’t right.
“You’ve given me a lot to think about,” she said, herthoughts in a whirl.
“I’m trusting you because Ols trusts you. And I trust him.Though, he’d probably murder me if he knew I’d shared all that stuff with you.”
“Really? Wouldn’t he think I’d need background for thisarticle?”
“Oh, I’m not talking about the shit with the Gazette, I’mtalking about him. And you. I believe you when you say nothing happened betweenyou two in college, but this could be your big second chance.”
“You seem a little too invested in this, if I’m beinghonest.”
Bran’s smile was genuine, and different from the ones she’dseen him use on set and in photos. “Ols would never say anything to you. He’djust pine in private like something out of Jane Austen.”
She laughed, thinking of how clear Ollie had been with hisintentions.
“He’s shy, our Oliver. If you’re interested, you might needto make the first move. That’s all I’m saying.”
What an odd turn of events this was. She couldn’t deny thewarm, fuzzy feeling she got whenever she looked at Ollie. But it would bebeyond unprofessional to pursue anything, at least while she was on thisassignment.
“I can see the debate going on inside that head of yours,but you know I’m right.”
“Frankly, it’s none of your business.”
Something in his expression changed, the smile on his facesharpening into something bordering on unpleasant.
“Actually, it is. Ols is more than my friend, he’s mybrother. You work for a newspaper that’s been out for my blood since the firstmoment I stepped onto a red carpet.”
“Why is that?”
He tilted his head, as if the answer was self-evident.“You’ll have to ask your boss.”
Oh, she would. Gideon hadn’t mentioned anything aboutValerie to her, and she wondered if Bran’s ramblings had any basis in truth orif it was all his inflated sense of self-importance. Only, when she looked athim, she didn’t see narcissism or ego, she saw...irritation. He was angry.
“What do you want out of this?”
Her question seemed to catch him off-guard.
“What do I want?” he repeated, his voice quiet.
“Yes. You’re clearly using me for something.”
Bran’s mouth twisted. “I don’t want anything from you,Blake. Except maybe for you to consider giving Ols a chance. He’s a good guy, andhe deserves someone who can appreciate him.”
It was her turn to be surprised. “And you think that’s me?”
Bran gave her a long look, and she felt like he was seeingright through her. “I think you’re the only one who’s ever made him trulyhappy,” he said finally.
It was an odd thing to say, but the sincerity in his voicemade her believe it. She’d always thought Ollie was happy-go-lucky, but maybeshe’d missed something beneath the surface.
“As for this article, interview, whatever,” he continued,resting his ankle on the opposite knee— a casual pose, though he was anythingbut, his whole demeanor practically sang with tension—“my agent, publicist, andexecutive assistant all believe it will clear up some of the preconceptionsabout me. That it will give the public more to go on than what the, no offense,gossip rags write. No offense,” he repeated, spreading his hands.