I turn on the television in Eric's office and flip through the channels to find the first morning show on Fin's schedule. They are teasing his interview. There he is, sitting on a couch in the studio with their logo mug in his hand smiling suavely at the camera. I watch him put his free hand to his mouth and gently rub two fingers across his lips. My heart skips a beat. I look at the text on my phone where he sent me his day's itinerary and read the last line again.

Anytime I touch my right index and middle fingers across my lips, it will mean I'm thinking of you.

They cut to commercial and Miranda walks into the room. I turn to her. "You're in early. Does Andrea have a lot going on today?"

Miranda narrows her eyes at me. "I came in early to talk to you before anybody else gets in. What are you watching?"

I turn my head back to the screen. They are coming back from commercial break, so I mute the show and the closed captioning pops up on the bottom of the screen. I feel myself start to flush. "Just um... just wanted to see Fin Covington's interview... see if he mentioned the History Channel marathon. They would be thrilled if he did..."

Miranda shuts the door. "Millie, you don't have to lie to me. I saw that Fin was on the Ferry with you yesterday."

I fiddle with the papers on Eric's desk and snort. "Oh I can explain that..."

Miranda holds up her hand. "I looked up that quote from the flowers. It was Beckett, not Shakespeare. Just be honest with me Millie. I swear I won't rat to anyone at RAA."

I exhale the breath I was holding and slump against Eric's desk. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you Miranda. We only just kissed for the first time yesterday..."

Miranda smiles at me and then nods at the television. "They're asking him about you."

I pause the show and read the screen aloud.

What about dating Fin? You dated a co-star and that had to be difficult... two famous people... the scrutiny must have been intense. But is the alternative any better? This girl you were seen with on the ferry yesterday is not a celebrity... is that hard?

I take off the mute and press play. I blush harder as I watch Fin rub his lips again before he answers."Yeah well... being a celebrity does complicate relationships quite a bit and the tabloids don't get a lot of things correct. A couple weeks ago the mystery girl they linked me up with romantically was actually my younger cousin. My family got a good chuckle over that. But ultimately as far as dating... if you think the person is worth it, you make it work... somebody to love and share life with, yeah that's worth any hassle... Isn't it? Anyway being in this crazy media bubble that I'm in, no offense, but it very quickly pops whatever isn't genuine."

Then the host tries harder. "So are you confirming that you are dating this young lady from the ferry?"

Fin chuckles and rubs his lips again. His eyes shift to the camera. "Now you know I'm not going to comment on that beyond what I've already said. I appreciate that you're doing your job asking me these questions. But you have to understand that other people have jobs too and are allowed a modicum of privacy despite those jobs."

My heart races and the remote feels like it's going to slip from my clammy hand. They wrap up the interview and I turn off the television.

Miranda pats my shoulder. "Your secret is still safe... Fin is very skilled at dodging questions. His publicist Marcy is excellent at what she does. Most wouldn't have even allowed the question. But she knows there's something to be said for letting them ask. It gives Fin a chance to refuse to answer and then seem like the gallant knight protecting his lady. Plus getting the idea out there that he will date someone other than a model or celebrity will have every woman between sixteen and thirty-six daydreaming about him. It's genius..."

 I frown as I put the remote down on Eric's desk. "Yeah... genius."

Considering I had my own personal mental reel of NC-17 rated fantasies that Fin starred in, I shouldn't be upset. But the idea of that many women lusting after the guy you just agreed to go on a date with is surprisingly uncomfortable. And Miranda's words have begun a creeping unease that is taking hold of me. Perhaps I'm nothing more than a publicity tool. Am I being manipulated? The question takes my breath away.

I quickly walk out of the office and Miranda follows whispering behind me. "So when will you see him next?"

I shrug and whisper back, my voice cracking. "He's actually coming into the office a little later to meet with Silverberg. But I doubt he'll come down here, because he has to rush back out to his evening round of interviews. History Channel is tomorrow, but Eric is going to that and I have to stay to man the desk obviously..."

My cell phone chirps, saving me from saying anything more to Miranda about my tentative Friday date. It's a photo of Fin in the car heading to his next appointment. He is touching his lips with his two fingers. I'm touched by the text even more than I would care to admit. My heart feels like he wouldn't bother sending me this personal message if I was just some publicity stunt.

I type back.

I'm thinking of you too. I can't stop myself, much to my detriment.

I look up from my phone, a tiny smile on my face. Miranda is studying me. "Jesus, you are really falling for him... Aren't you? Guess you shouldn't have been so quick to dismiss the romantic plot potential of your life."

I bury my face in my hands as I try to hide my blush. I hear Eric's voice behind me in the hallway. "Morning Miranda. Millie... My office NOW."

Miranda raises her eyebrows at me but says nothing as I walk toward Eric's office. He is standing holding the door and slams it closed after I enter. I jump and cringe.

Eric's temper is notorious. When I started as his assistant two years ago, I heard he'd gone through a string of people that either quit or gotten fired because of his yelling. Luckily, I've never been on the receiving end of one of Eric's tantrums before today. We've both heard the jokes made on more than one occasion about how I am the Beauty to his Beast. But in truth I know it wasn't luck or beauty that made us get along, because I've worked really hard to avoid this exact moment. And overall Eric has appreciated me and the hard work I put in. But currently, as he launches into a screaming tirade, it feels as though the past two years mean nothing. I stand there silently and take it.

"What the FUCK Millie?! Why do I have to deal with texts and emails last night and this morning ONCE AGAIN regarding you and Fin Covington? You assured me yesterday that nothing was going on and then you're on the Staten Island Fucking Ferry with him? You're making me look like an asshole. I'm defending you and you're going behind my back?!"

I try to interject, hoping I can diffuse his temper."Eric, I'm..."

He slams his fist down on his desk and yells louder. "Don't you dare say you're sorry! You better have something other than that bullshit to say to me!."

Eric takes off his jacket and hangs it on the back of his chair. Then he loosens his tie as he sits. He takes a deep breath and lowers his voice. "While it's considered a conflict of interest that is more than just frowned upon, you wouldn't be the first person at RAA to screw around with a client... Hell, half of this company has slept with somebody to get where they are... or they're the offspring of people that fucked their way up the ladder. But I don't like looking stupid. So help me, so that I can help you... that's the way this works! Otherwise we're done here. I can get a floater to take your place right now."

I nod and begin to recite the script that I wrote in my mind last night. The lines are something between fact and fiction.

"Okay so the thing is... you know that yesterday Fin sent those flowers to my desk because he felt so badly about the mob scene outside of BAM and then how the paps plastered me all over the internet. So I called him to thank him for them... Since that was the polite thing to do. And while I was on the phone with him, I noticed a guy following me. I knew it was another photographer and I happened to mention it to Fin. You know he has more experience than me dealing with them. I just thought he might give me advice on how to ditch the creep. But Fin got incensed and insisted that I wait by a police officer while he came to handle it. I tried to say no but... well... he arrived and he did deal with it. Then he offered me a ride home... which I DECLINED... but he decided that he would see me across the water on the ferry. And what was I supposed to do? Tell him he's not allowed to take public transportation? I tried to tell him I was fine... But he rode over with me and then his car took him home once he made sure I was safe at my apartment. And that's what happened and why you saw those pictures..."

I know my delivery was far too frantic and shaky. Eric glares silently from his seat. He has a law degree and if cross examines me, I'm going to have to improv now. He throws the basketball against the wall and catches it over and over again. "And that's it? You have nothing else to tell me?"

I swallow the rising bile that I taste in the back of my throat. "Miranda thinks that Fin is being seen with me because Marcy thinks it's a great publicity stunt."

Eric stops throwing the ball and swivels around. He looks at me like that's the most reasonable thing I've said yet.

I nervously chuckle and pick up the remote from his desk. "He does have a media tour today and gave me his itinerary. I encouraged him to mention the History Channel marathon if he could work a reference into any of the interviews. So far... well I watched the first morning show in here before you got in and no mention. But maybe this one..."

I turn on the television and tune to the next show Fin will be on. "Good thinking Millie... They would love that."

Eric nods at remote in my hand. "Set the DVR to record whatever shows he has lined up for the day."

The shows are already cemented in my brain because I did this exact thing on my home DVR last night. I start pushing buttons on the remote. Eric ignores me and looks through his emails while I finish. "All set."

Eric looks up and smiles. "Let's see what else Mr. Covington has to say for himself today."

I try not to let him see my hand shake as I replace the remote on his desk.