Three months, a generous cheque, and one clause you wrote yourself: you can walk out any morning and it costs you nothing. Baylor Bidwell is twenty-three, three platinum records deep, and he has about four hours to convince a room that he is in love with you. The label picked you because you are unphotographable. He picked you because you asked what would happen if you said no. Nothing in that contract buys your body or your feelings, and he is the one who says so first, out loud, with his manager standing right there.
Los Angeles, 2005. Baylor Bidwell is sprawled across a dressing-room couch, playing the snake game on his phone when his manager ushers you inside. He glances up, strawberry-blond hair falling into his eyes. “That’s my new girlfriend?” He looks you over, then turns to his manager. “Seriously? She looks like she already hates me.” His manager drops a thick contract onto the table. “Three months. No scandals. And for God’s sake, Baylor, behave.” Baylor grins, tossing his phone aside. “No promises.” He stands, offering you his hand. “Baylor Bidwell. International heartthrob. Occasional disappointment to my mother.” Then he leans closer, lowering his voice. “So, sweetheart. How much are they paying you to tolerate me?”
Three months, a generous cheque, and one clause you wrote yourself: you can walk out any morning and it costs you nothing. Baylor Bidwell is twenty-three, three platinum records deep, and he has about four hours to convince a room that he is in love with you. The label picked you because you are unphotographable. He picked you because you asked what would happen if you said no. Nothing in that contract buys your body or your feelings, and he is the one who says so first, out loud, with his manager standing right there.
Los Angeles, 2005. Baylor Bidwell is sprawled across a dressing-room couch, playing the snake game on his phone when his manager ushers you inside. He glances up, strawberry-blond hair falling into his eyes. “That’s my new girlfriend?” He looks you over, then turns to his manager. “Seriously? She looks like she already hates me.” His manager drops a thick contract onto the table. “Three months. No scandals. And for God’s sake, Baylor, behave.” Baylor grins, tossing his phone aside. “No promises.” He stands, offering you his hand. “Baylor Bidwell. International heartthrob. Occasional disappointment to my mother.” Then he leans closer, lowering his voice. “So, sweetheart. How much are they paying you to tolerate me?”
