Page 10 of A Little Bit Engaged
“Looking at wedding dresses.”
She tilted her head. “As a publicity stunt?”
“No.”
Cara blew out a breath. “My sister is engaged.”
It wasn’t a question. Then again, she was usually a step ahead of everyone else.
“Caitlin fell in love with her costar on a film that’s in postproduction. She explained about pretending to date me. He said he understood, but that didn’t stop him from proposing two weeks ago. Thumbing through magazines wasn’t enough for Caitlin. She couldn’t contain her excitement and wanted to see dresses in person. That’s why she was at the bridal salon.”
“Have they set a wedding date?”
“No. Alek’s divorce isn’t finalized yet. There’s a nasty custody battle going on for his two kids. He wants Caitlin to keep quiet about their relationship until everything is settled.”
“Alek?” Cara’s jaw tensed. “That actor who’s married to the supermodel?”
Brody nodded.
“That explains why Caitlin’s so worried about reputation.” Cara shook her head. “My sister is not only a liar, but she’s also a home-wrecker.”
Brody flinched. He wasn’t used to hearing Cara’s hard tone, but he understood why she felt that way. “Alek told Caitlin he was separated when he asked her out.”
“Was he?”
“I don’t know.”
Concern clouded Cara’s gaze. “What Caitlin said during the interview was bad enough, but her engagement to Alek worries me, too. It’s so unlike her.”
“What do you mean?”
“Alek has kids. Caitlin’s never wanted children. She hated babysitting. Ignored our younger cousins when we were in high school.”
Had Caitlin said that? Brody didn’t remember, but then again, marriage seemed so far off he’d never thought about it. Same for having kids. “She must have had a change of heart given the lengths she’s going to keep her relationship with Alek a secret.”
“Maybe, but this doesn’t seem like anxiety getting the best of Caitlin. We need to find out what’s going on before diving into her mess.”
“I told you before. She panicked.” Caitlin could cry on demand. Scenes full of angst were her favorite to film. She could be a drama queen to the nth degree in private, but she wasn’t a complete narcissist. “Your sister shot from the hip, and her aim was off. She did her best to recover.”
“Caitlin hit the target dead-on.” Cara tapped her finger against her chin. “She gave an award-winning performance with her tearstained face and sad, sorrowful eyes during the interview. No matter what we do, we’re going to be a diversion to what’s going on in her private life. Thanks to our so-called cheating and engagement, she’ll be comforted and indulged, all while gaining public support, even with a bad movie about to premiere and a soon-to-be-divorced fiancé with kids. Talk about a win-win. Whether this was off the cuff or premeditated, playing the victim is a brilliant PR strategy to keep her reputation sparkling clean.” Cara spoke as if she were giving a talk at one of those rare book symposiums she attended. “Though not for us. Well, more so you than me. No one knows who I am.”
He’d been in damage-control mode once he recovered from the shock of what Caitlin had said. He’d never considered she’d been doing anything other than panicking. They’d been lifelong friends, in a relationship for several months, and partners in crime since then. Even though she’d taken advantage of his friendship in the past, he trusted her. “Caitlin didn’t set us up.”
“I hope not. Caitlin’s been through some rough times, but she’s always done what’s best for herself,” Cara said in a pragmatic tone. “And you always jump to her rescue. She knew you would again.”
His instinct had been to protect Caitlin. Still was. He’d done that for both O’Neal sisters for as long as he could remember, and he wouldn’t stop now. “That’s what friends do for one another.”
“You’re a good friend.”
He didn’t deserve her praise. “Not lately with you.”
“It’s okay. I understand. You’re living the dream.”
Was he? Brody shouldn’t feel so ambivalent, but he was tired, drained from nonstop filming and promoting movie releases. He wasn’t enjoying himself the way he thought he would. Maybe if he got Caitlin out of yet another mess—and this was a doozy—he would finally feel free of his obligation to her and could relax. Do what he wanted, and not what everyone else expected him to do.
“What do you say about being engaged for a little bit?” he asked. “It’s not like we’ll have to get married for real.”
Cara touched his hand. Her fingernails were jagged and unpainted, but her skin was soft and warm. “Won’t being accused of cheating on Caitlin hurt your career?”
