down.
“I brought all the groceries in and the pot roast my Aunt made you.” His tone was so apologetic.
“Thanks.” Sam managed to answer. She stood glued to the floor. Come on, Sam. She told herself. Snap out of it. Do something. “Can I offer you a drink?”
“Uh, sure.” Jake said. This was definitely more awkward than he could have ever imagined. Sam approached him since he blocked the entrance to the kitchen. The two did a slight dance trying to get out of each other’s way. Soon, they were able to exchange places. Sam stepped into the kitchen and Jake into the living room.
“Do you drink coconut rum and orange juice?” Sam asked from the kitchen.
“Sure.” Jake welcomed the thought of adding some alcohol to the situation to help him relax. He heard Sam get ice and glasses to make the drinks. She was obviously nervous because she dropped one of the glasses in the sink and the sound of shattering glass told him it did not make it intact. While he waited he glanced around the apartment. Pictures of Sam and her beautiful daughters were the main décor. The case to a movie rental sat on the coffee table. He offhandedly picked it up to view the title. It was his latest movie.
“Uh here.” Sam said awkwardly as she held the drink out to Jake.
Jake jumped back, not knowing whether to drop the case or try to hide it. Sam was obviously embarrassed. The glass shook slightly as she held it towards him. “Thanks.” He whispered.
“You can sit, you know. I mean if you want to.” Sam tried to find words. Jake sat on the couch and Sam pulled up a chair across from him. They both sipped their drinks.
“Did you like it?” Jake finally asked breaking the silence. He held up the case to the DVD.
“Yeah, it was cute.” Sam took another sip.
Jake put the case back on the coffee table, the long silence continued. Occasionally, a sip of a drink interrupted it.
“I really am sorry.” Jake began. “I hope this whole thing hasn’t caused you any problems.”
Sam scoffed. “No one knows who I am. And even the people who do didn’t recognize me. It wasn’t a problem, really.” She smiled. “Your ring was a problem though. Come on, a straw. Even my first husband did better than that.” The minute the words left her lips she winced. Why did I have to say that, too much information, Sam. Jake chuckled at her joke.
“Yeah, that was pretty bad. I’m so glad no one got a close-up of that.” Jake started to relax.
“Damn, I should have kept it. I bet it could have been worth something. Imagine the tabloid headlines Jake Jameson proposed with this.” Sam held up her glass to him in a mock cheer. They both laughed at the thought.
Then Jake got serious. “Speaking of the tabloids, I was wondering if you could kind of keep this to yourself.”
“I’m not like that, really.” Sam started defensively. “Believe me I’m the last person who wants to draw attention to myself.”
“I didn’t mean that you would, but” Jake took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. He thought then the words spilled out of him. “I was actually hoping you’d play along.”
“What?” Sam tried to make sense of his words in her head.
“Well, I have a movie coming out in a month and it might be really bad publicity if people were to find out that I was joking around. I mean it was all pretty juvenile and you would only have to do it for a month. I could make it worth your while, really.” He started babbling. He couldn’t look her in the eyes. He felt like a little kid confessing that he stole a gumball at the candy store.
“Are you serious?” Sam asked incredulously.
“My publicist thinks this could destroy my career and I think he might be right.” He looked at her directly. “I’m so sorry, I really am.”
Wow! Look at those eyes. Is this guy for real? He’s an actor Sam. This is what’s best for him not necessarily for you. Come on Sam. It’s not like you’re doing anything else with your life right now. Her personal angel and demon were sitting on her shoulders debating the issue. Finally, Sam spoke. “I guess.”
“You’ll do it?” Jake stared at her hoping that was what she meant.
“Sure.” Sam gulped down the rest of her drink.
“I’ll leave you my number so we can talk some more tomorrow.” Jake looked around for a pen and paper. Sam pulled out her cell phone from her pocket. She handed it to Jake and he programmed in his number. Then he pressed send. His phone rang in his pocket. Sam took back her phone.
“I’ll call you tomorrow.” He said and rose up off the couch to leave. Sam escorted him to the door. He bent down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Thanks.”
Sam nodded numbly and closed the door behind him. Her knees suddenly felt weak, but she managed to make it to the couch. She touched her cheek where he had kissed her. Before she knew it she was asleep.
***
Jake drove home in silence. By now Aunt Patsy has surely called Mom and discussed the events of the day. If mom knew I was using a marriage proposal as a publicity stunt she would be extremely disappointed. Actually, too many people already know the truth and could ruin this at anytime. All they would have to do is sell their story to a tabloid and everything could be ruined. No one else can know that this wasn’t real, no one. In fact, I need to convince the people who think this was a joke that it’s actually real now. Jake mulled over the situation. Sam seems nice enough. I guess for her this could actually be fun. She’ll get to be famous for a little while. Jake envied Sam for a moment. She would have her fifteen minutes of fame then fade back into obscurity. Of course, he knew that fame paid well and he definitely enjoyed the perks, but it didn’t come without its own price.
Chapter 12
The following day Sam seemed to float along. The memory of Jake Jameson in her apartment fueled her. She taught with an energy she hadn’t had in years. Whenever she had a moment she replayed the memory in her head. The awkward moment as they danced around each other when she tried to get into the kitchen; the brief eye contact while they sipped their drinks in the living room; the kiss on her cheek as he walked out the door. She saw it all with a new glow. It was too good to be true.
That’s because it’s not true. She reminded herself. The guy made a juvenile bet and made a fool of himself on national TV. Now if anyone asks, you’re supposed to play along to cover his ass. Get your head on straight and don’t turn this thing into anything more than what it is. She tried to speak to herself harshly as a reality check, but other thoughts intruded. Your life is pretty boring. This is exciting; enjoy the moment. Other more disturbing thoughts crowded her mind. This could be your chance Sam. You can be just as pretty and just as charming as any actress that guy has dated. Stop! This isn’t real you are not dating him and you never will be. Her internal debate continued and each time she replayed the prior evening in her mind she tried to deduce whether or not there had been an actual spark, a connection, a glimmer of hope or was she so desperate for change she imagined any of those things. She felt nervous and ill at ease though equally ecstatic.
***
Jake woke up
