For Fake and For Real

23. Jackson to the Rescue

Jackson West is by far the best studio P.R. person Lucy ever had to deal with, but he was an even better friend. After spending New Year's Eve together, Jackson told her he wanted to travel Europe for a few weeks with her after she wrapped filming "Enemy Lines", and she loved the idea of spending time with a friend while also keeping physical distance between her and Tim; they spent 4 days together and KISSED, and sure, it was better than she remembered, but still, they were supposed to be JUST friends, and they could NOT get caught again. So, she and Jackson began to make plans to visit a few cities and split up the responsibility of the research on logistics.

On a certain day in February, she decided to REALLY distract herself with planning her 3 week trip between takes while simultaneously trying not to think how Tim would be celebrating the "holiday".

••••••••••

It was cliché but not unexpected that Tim had to have a Valentine's Day photo op with Ashley; the studio asked them to pretend to see a Fletcher Films romantic comedy that was released that weekend, and begrudgingly Tim went.

The photo ops were getting more annoying lately- Ashley would touch his face and kiss his cheek and call him "lovebug" when the cameras were rolling, and he couldn't do anything but smile. He always asked her to stop once they left the paparazzi behind, but she had no respect for Tim, clearly. Of course, this photo op was no different; he linked arms with her as they walked into the movie theatre. Ashley cupped his chin, called him "lovebug", and told the camera-toting strangers that they were going to have a long, romantic evening together starting with a movie and insinuating sex afterwards. He wanted to throw up, but he acted like he was happy and simply smiled along.

While hiding in the lobby of the theatre to wait for the paparazzi to leave, he hissed, "I told you to stop touching me so much. It bothers me, and what's with 'lovebug'? It's gross, and I told you to come up with another nickname for me."

"You're so sensitive. I'm just trying to be cute and sell this fake relationship. You and Lucy used to do this all the time."

"Lucy and I were actually dating, and she never had a ridiculous pet name for me."

"Tim, I think you need to relax. What do you say we actually see the movie?"

"It looks horrible."

"Fine, let's go somewhere else. Just you and me and no cameras. We can get dinner and maybe have some wine..."

"That sounds like a real date."

"Would it be so bad if it was? I think I've made it clear I like you. I keep trying to reach out and spend some quality time with you. You don't have to play so hard to get," she flirted and tried to touch his bicep.

He shuffled back to get away from her touch. "Since you clearly aren't understanding when I try to be NICE, let me make this clear to you- we're not going on a date tonight or ever. Actually, NEVER in a million years. This stupid arrangement means I can't date Lucy, but the moment the movie premiere is over, I am driving to her house and getting her back. Got it?" He sassed.

She gave him a wide-eyed expression, and he should not have taken pleasure in rendering her speechless, but he couldn't stop a little grin from forming as he walked away from her and onto his motorcycle.

He drove to Lucy's house in Malibu and talked to Tamara for a few minutes, because thankfully, she didn't have Valentine's Day plans (for the record, he didn't OPENLY threaten the last guy she was seeing, but his muscles and steely gaze are intimidating without saying a word). Then, he asked to walk along their private section of beach. Tim found himself along this particular stretch of ocean more frequently since she kissed him in January. There was something about being here that made him feel closer to her, and that's what he fiercely craved. The ocean, something he used to hate, and the beach, another thing he used to dislike became a source of solace as of late.