Page 6 of A Little Bit Engaged
“Screwed up big-time on camera.”
“That’s why you showed up with a ring and proposed?” Disbelief filled Cara’s voice.
He didn’t blame her. “This wasn’t my idea, but Caitlin didn’t leave me much choice.”
Cara’s lips narrowed into a thin line. The one person who’d always taken his side didn’t believe him. The realization slashed through him like a blade.
She gave a slight shake of her head. “There’s always a choice.”
Maybe in Cara’s world. Not so much in his. Since his acting career took off, he’d felt like a trained dog performing tricks on command for Caitlin and his management team. He hated it.
Tonight, however, was different. Brody would do whatever he could to keep Caitlin’s reputation from being ruined. No way could she keep her anxiety under control if the truth got out and her carefully crafted façade was exposed. The consequence might be too much for her to bear.
He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I should have had you watch this video before I said anything. You can see for yourself what’s going on.”
Cara’s lips pursed. Her doubt was as clear as her makeup-free face.
Brody hit play. He’d seen this clip so many times he’d memorized what had been said, but it hadn’t made the situation any better. He felt worse. Awful about what Caitlin had done. Regret for having to drag sweet Cara into her sister’s PR mess.
An image of beautiful, sexy, pain-in-the-butt Cait Neal—she’d dropped the “lin” and the “O” for her stage name—appeared on the screen with her flawless makeup and flowing blond hair.
“I hardly recognize her with lighter hair,” Cara said. “But no matter what color or style, Caitlin always looks amazing.”
Looking amazing was a Cait Neal trademark, no matter if she was grabbing a cappuccino from a corner coffee shop or being interviewed on the red carpet. Brody could get away with wearing board shorts and a ratty T-shirt. When Caitlin dressed casually in shorts and a tank top, she put the same thought into her clothing choice as if she were attending a formal event. This morning for the interview shoot, her well-paid stylist had mixed designer label clothing with off-the-rack finds to create an outfit that would generate oohs and aahs from fans and fashionistas.
Cara angled the screen toward her face. “The video quality’s not the best.”
“Caitlin’s assistant filmed this on the sly. Evidence in case Auntie Shark got creative with the editing.”
“Shouldn’t that nickname and the need for evidence have been red flags the interview wasn’t a good idea?” Cara asked.
“Caitlin’s publicist set it up.”
The Auntie Shark nickname was well earned. The woman came across like a doting relative until the opportunity arose to chomp off an appendage with a biting comment or innuendo.
“The buzz on Caitlin’s new film is bad. It’s a romantic comedy, but focus audiences didn’t laugh during the screenings.” She wanted the same blockbuster box office results on her first movie without him as he’d had with his first film without her. “Your sister needs as much press as possible to fill theaters this weekend.”
“Don’t you mean positive press?”
“That was the plan.” Emphasis on was. Sweat dampened the back of his neck.
On the screen, Caitlin sat on her living room couch next to a forty-something female news show host who acted more like a gossip columnist than a highly regarded journalist.
“So what’s going on with you and Brody Simmons?” Auntie Shark’s voice sounded nonchalant.
“Everything’s great between us.” Caitlin didn’t miss a beat replying. Practice made the answer automatic. “We’ve been together for over three years.”
“That’s a long time in the movie business.” The way Auntie Shark emphasized the last word made Brody cringe. In hindsight, the speech pattern had been a warning of incoming fire. “Is that why you were at a bridal salon looking at wedding dresses?”
“I—I…” Caitlin’s stuttering matched her deer-in-the-headlights expression.
Brody’s heart ached for her. Years of dealing with the media and knowing what to say with a camera rolling had disappeared in a nanosecond. If only he’d been there, but Caitlin said she had everything under control and not to change his plans.
He’d let her down. And for what? To shoot hoops with a few guys from the gym.
“Why was Caitlin at a bridal salon?” Cara asked in that logical tone of hers.
Brody motioned to the screen. “Just watch.”
