Tarzan & Janine by Delilah Devlin, Elle James Page B

what will it hurt? It’s free advertisin’ for the dealership.”
    “It may be advertising for the dealership, but what does it buy me?”
    “You’re gettin’ your face out there. People walkin’ down the streets of Austin will know you by name.”
    Janine snorted. “Yeah, like they already do? Since last weekend, I’ve been called Jane more times than I can remember.”
    “Think of it as gettin’ the chance to set the record straight.” When she didn’t respond, he went on. “You could tell the world—well, the greater Austin area in this case—about your desire to be a serious actress.”
    What would it hurt? It would get her name straightened out and give her more airtime. Maybe she wasn’t destined to be discovered in the theatre. Perhaps she could be discovered while doing commercials. They’d see how photogenic she was and offer her parts of greater distinction, something worthy of an Academy Award. A thrill of excitement winged through her veins.
    Tanner cleared his throat. “Well?”
    Janine came back to earth from the stage at the Academy Awards celebration in her mind. “I suppose it would be all right.”
    Before she could protest, Tanner grabbed her shoulders, planted a kiss on her lips, and strode away.
    Tanner Pesky was like one of those cartoon characters. Which one was it? Oh yes, the Tasmanian Devil . Whirl in, sweep a girl off her feet, and whirl out again. Janine had to take a few deep breaths to regain her balance before she could walk out through the showroom and into the car lot.
    The talk show sounded interesting. She wondered what questions would be asked, wishing she could prepare her answers ahead of time. Oh well, whatever happened, happened. She just hoped the interview wouldn’t be any more career-limiting than chasing monkeys or getting choked by a snake.
    * * *
    “Welcome to Austin Live, I’m Lisa Grant. Today I’m pleased to introduce Tanner Peschke and Janine Davis, Austin’s own Tarzan and Jane.”
    Tanner cringed behind his pasted-on smile. That wasn’t going to make Janine happy. She’d hoped to make this appearance count toward setting the record straight on her name and acting career. He didn’t mind being called Tarzan because the moniker was good for the business, but he knew how Janine felt about being called Jane.
    When he stole a glance at her face, he was surprised to see her smiling, albeit a strained smile, but a smile nonetheless. Pride and admiration swelled in his chest. She was a born actress, not one to be swayed by insensitive hosts or car salesmen. Janine knew what she wanted and, dammit, she wasn’t going to stop until she got it.
    Tanner shook his head and smiled wryly. He wished it could be so easy. If only he knew what he wanted to do. All his life he’d been raised with the understanding he would take over the car business from his father. But, the closer the reality came, the more he pushed it away. He’d made his first million shortly after graduating from college. With the help and encouragement from the Texas Billionaire’s Club, he’d stockpiled millions in stocks and real estate. But that was all play money. He still didn’t know what he wanted to do—what would make a difference. Selling used cars in the family business just wasn’t it. His promise to his mother kept him holding on.
    No longer a kid to be told what to do, Tanner knew he could make his own decisions. The primary problem was he didn’t know what occupation would hold his interest. Day trading he could do anytime, anywhere. To him, the activity wasn’t a real job and having your destiny preordained by family obligation tended to limit your perception of options.
    “Tanner, do you have a professional writer and choreographer stage all your commercials?” Lisa’s question shook Tanner from his internal reverie.
    “No, Lisa, I write all the copy.” Tanner glanced at Janine’s frown and added, “with my partner, Janine.”
    Lisa smiled briefly in Janine’s