Free Damage Control (The Hollywood Series Book 2) by Jae

glittered with determination.
    “Let’s focus on you and your career and let Nick’s publicist worry about his, okay?”
    Grace clearly didn’t like it, but she nodded.
    “So, what about you? Is there someone new in your life too?” Lauren asked. Maybe Grace had found someone else too, and that was why she was so forgiving.
    Grace shook her head. “There’s no one else.”
    Either she was telling the truth, or she was an even better actress than Lauren gave her credit for. “Okay, but if there’s ever someone new in your life, I need to know before you even tell your mother or your best friend. I don’t want to be blindsided again. No more surprises. If there’s ever anything, call me immediately.”
    “You’ll be the first to know,” Grace said.
    Lauren couldn’t tell if she was being sincere or if there was a hint of sarcasm in her voice. She wondered if Grace ever stopped acting and was just herself. She glanced at her watch and realized it was noon already. Just twenty-four more hours until she had to give Stan something. “This couldn’t come at a worse time.”
    “I know. Which is why I’m trying to keep it a secret until after the release of Ava’s Heart .”
    Lauren nodded. It wouldn’t help promote a film with strong Christian undertones if the public found out the lead actress was getting divorced from her movie-star husband. “That’s the best strategy for now. But we still have to give Hollywood Affairs something.”
    “Do they know who the other actress in Macon was?” Grace asked.
    “Stan—the blogger—didn’t name names, but I’m sure he knows. If he thinks he can out someone, he’s like a bloodhound.”
    A flush of annoyance crept into Grace’s cheeks, and Lauren realized that she again wasn’t wearing makeup. She was by far the most low-maintenance actress Lauren had ever met.
    “What gives him the right to make that decision for someone?” Grace asked, a bit of heat in her voice now.
    “The constitution,” Lauren said.
    “Freedom of the press.” Grace’s lips compressed into a thin line. “What about my freedom? Or Jill’s?”
    Lauren answered with a helpless shrug. “I know it’s not fair. I don’t like it either, but that’s the way it is, and we…you have to deal with it.”
    Grace sighed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.” After one last tug on the by-now frayed hole in her jeans, she uncurled her long legs, shoved her chair back from the table, and got up. “I’ll talk to Jill and then get back to you with something we can tell this Stan.”
    We. For the first time, Lauren felt as if they were really working together as a team. She nodded and got up too. “I need something before noon tomorrow.”
    Grace accompanied her to the door. “I’ll try my best.”
    They could only hope that it would be enough. Lauren reached for the doorknob. “I’ll see you tonight, then.”
    “Uh, tonight?”
    “You’re still going to Russ Vinson’s handprint ceremony, aren’t you?”
    Grace raised one perfect eyebrow. “You know my schedule?”
    “I’m your publicist,” Lauren answered.
    “So you plan to attend all of my public appearances with me from now on?”
    “Wouldn’t be a bad idea. But I’d be there tonight anyway. Until then.” Lauren walked away with a short wave. Her private and her professional lives were about to collide, and—as always when that happened—she didn’t like it one bit.

CHAPTER 6
    The limousine the studio had sent turned onto Hollywood Boulevard, making its way past souvenir shops and tourists strolling over the star-cemented Walk of Fame.
    Frowning, Grace leaned forward and pressed the button to lower the privacy screen that separated the rear of the limo from its front. “Excuse me,” she said to the driver. “Aren’t we picking up Ms. Corrigan?” She’d tried to reach Jill all day—to no avail so far, but since she knew she would see her at Russ’s handprint ceremony, she hadn’t been too