The Actor's Fake Fiancé (A Contemporary Interracial Romance): UnReal Marriage, #5

By Tasha Hart

Sydney and Nathan are about to take on the acting role of their lives!

 

See, she's one of the most successful Black agents in the Hollywood game. And her star client, Nathan Philips, owes her his career. They're both beautiful people but they've avoided a lot of the pitfalls that a gorgeous Black woman and rugged white man face when working together in the entertainment industry. That is until one day when rumors start that Nathan and Sydney secretly married. Who even started these rumors?

 

Well, turns out it was Sydney's son!

 

Now Sydney's firm sees potential. They make it clear that they want her to capitalize on the gossip and she's to go along with the rumor to promote one of Nathan's upcoming movies. They tell her its either this or her job.

 

She picks her job, but will Nathan pick her?

 

To protect their reputations, are they gonna lean into the gossip storm? Or bow out of its way? And what happens when they have to act in love for work but then it becomes more difficult to pretend they're pretending. Could true love and real feelings get any more complicated?

 

Discover what happens in this hilarious contemporary romance!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Summerhouse Publishing
• Release date: Mar 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215131305

Book preview

Chapter One

"Wait, where did you hear that?" I lean over my desk, phone clamped to my ear, and by pure coincidence, Nathan’s recent headshot is right on top of the pile.

Apparently, the story started with your son, Joseph. He’s been saying it all over school. My heart drops into my stomach. Naturally, Davis is loving this. I figured I’d call you before we printed anything.

Yeah, can you actually hold off? I’ve got a couple of calls to make. My heart races as my mind tumbles over what Davis just told me.

Just so we’re clear—are you confirming or denying that you’ve married Nathan Philips?

No comment.

Because, marrying your client? Wouldn’t that be some kind of professional conflict of interest?

"Damnit, Davis, no comment. I’ll call you back."

I look down at Nathan’s blue eyes staring back up at me from the desk. Our relationship has been the picture of professionalism, and this could really throw a wrench into things. I’m more than half tempted to drive over to Joseph’s school and pull him up by the roots.

That little pisser may think this is some kind of joke, but nearly ten years of hard work with Diamond Square Casting might be hanging in the balance. Not to mention the fact that a little bit of gossip—like a secret marriage—could really cool the heels of a rising actor. Especially with his first big project about to go live.

It’s a small world in show business, and people love to dish dirt. This could end up being pretty serious for us both.

What the hell is that little brat thinking? It’s not even like he’s saying Nathan is his father—just that we married on the sly. I can understand wanting someone like Nathan in his life. The guy is undeniably handsome, and charismatic as all get out. Still, that doesn’t give the little shit the green light to go running his mouth.

That’s the trouble with having a son who spends so much time around the movie industry. He loves creating a good story and has a flair for the dramatic. I could strangle him the little brat right now.

Figuring out the best way to ground Joseph will have to wait. I need to squash this, and fast. It’s one thing for people to talk, but if Ronnie Davis gets this into print, it becomes a lot harder to navigate.

After hanging up with Davis, I head down to my boss’s office. Anxious to get his take and come clean at the same time.

Clayton, have you got a second? His door’s open, so I imagine it’s okay to poke my nose in.

Sydney, I was just about to call you in. Have a seat. He waves me to a chair, a big smile plastered across his face. He must have just sealed some major deal. Well, I’m glad he’s in a good mood, because this just might rain on his day.

I jump right into it as soon as I sit in the offered chair. So, there’s a little situation regarding Nathan Philips.

Boy, I’ll say. He lets out a bark of laughter and stands. Apparently your son has been playing matchmaker.

Yeah. I sigh. Shit. Why does everyone think this is so funny?

I don’t know whether he’s been saying it to teachers, or just to the other kids, but his little story has legs. He comes around to sit on the edge of his desk. It’s not… um. It’s not true, is it?

What? My eyes nearly pop out of my head, I’m so surprised. No! Are you kidding? I’ve been working hard to get his career to take a leap, but everything has been completely professional, I assure you. I would never jeopardize my integrity…

Hey, hey, it’s okay. He puts his hands up like I’ve been firing at him, and I realize how vehement I must sound. Just asking. Sheesh.

I square myself in my chair and swallow hard. Time to put on my professional voice. We need to get ahead of this thing. With your permission, I’d like to craft a statement of denial. Maybe we can spin it as a kid falling into hero worship. It could actually be good for Nathan’s project.

"Denial? Are you crazy? We need to lean into this thing." My jaw drops. Surely, I didn’t hear him right.

Lean in, how? I can’t help being wary. After decades in this business, Clayton has pulled more wily tricks than I’ve had hot breakfasts. The last thing I need is to find myself in the center of one of his schemes.

"Human interest about a kid with a wild imagination is one thing, but a secret marriage? Sydney, that’s gold. Nate will be all over the internet. His new film will sell itself."

Wait. Hang on. I put a hand up so I can get a grip on what he’s saying. "You want me to confirm all this? I’m supposed to tell people I’m married to Nathan Philips?"

If you want to keep your job, yeah. Where the hell did that come from? There’s an edge in Clayton’s voice I’ve never heard before. I look at his eyes, and he’s dead serious.

"Keep my job?" I repeat the words because I can’t quite grasp what he’s saying.

Look, he leans forward. You’ve been doing one hell of a job. You’ve handed some top shelf clients up the ladder, and you’ve handled Nate like a pro, but if you fumble this opportunity? I don’t think you’ll have a place here any longer.

I’m stunned.

This is show biz, Sydney, he goes on. "Nobody gets ahead by playing clean. If you decide to get all, ‘take the high road’ and cost us the kind of money we stand to make, it looks bad. You’d be out. Period."

My head is buzzing. I make to stand but can’t manage to find my feet. What the hell am I supposed to say? All I want to do is tell Clayton Allan to kiss my ass and walk out. But that would mean walking out on nearly ten solid years of hard work. And going home with no job, and no prospects.

I finally do get to my feet and walk to the door in a haze. Just when I’m about to step out into the hall, Clayton stops me.

Hey, Sydney? I turn back to look at him and he raises his eyebrows. Where you off to?

Ass. Hole.

Where do you think? I need to talk to Nathan Philips.

Chapter Two