Page 20 of Romance Is Dead

“Thank you, guys.” Mara swallowed, putting on a brave face. “We were only together for two months—I don’t understand why this is still bothering me.”

“Hearts don’t make sense sometimes.” Chloe handed Mara a chocolate-chip scone. “Here. It’ll help.”

My phone dinged: Teddy, saying it was ok if I was a few minutes late. Clocking me once again reaching for my phone, Mara nudged me with her foot.

“Everything ok?”

“Yeah, sorry.” I clicked it off and returned my attention, rightfully, to Mara. “Just. . . my dad.”

This was only a half lie. My dad had texted me earlier, asking when I’d be coming to visit since he lived just a few hours away from the set.

“How’s Mr. P?”

“Enjoying his retirement, maybe a little too much.” My dad might have been in his sixties, but he had a far more exciting life than I did. A few weeks ago, he’d gone zip-lining with a local outdoors club for retirees. They’d smuggled beer in their thermoses and called it a Zip ’n Sip.

His lifestyle stressed me out.

“I want to be your dad when I grow up.” Mara split apart the scone and spread on some butter. “Maybe I should move to a cabin in the mountains, where I can be bitter and single for the rest of my life and never have to think about Austin again.”

“If you do, I’m coming with you.” I stood, collecting my phone and wallet. “I need to go call him. Sorry to cut this short.”

“You’re not coming back?” Mara’s eyes were wide, like a sad basset hound puppy. “It’ll only take a minute, won’t it?”

“Um. . .” I hadn’t planned on telling anyone about helping Teddy, but now Mara and Chloe were both staring at me.

“Actually, I’m about to go give Teddy an acting lesson.” My cheeks burned in embarrassment.

Mara and Chloe looked at each other knowingly.

“It’s not like that!” I insisted. “You both saw him the other day. He desperately needs them if this movie is going to work.”

“I did see, but I wasn’t paying attention to his acting, I’ll tell you that,” Mara quipped. Chloe nodded in agreement, one hand over her mouth to stifle giggles.

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I’m not filming today, so I’ll catch you both later.”

“Ok.” Mara heaved a sigh. “I guess Chloe and I will just have to finish this by ourselves.”

“You’ll be having a much better time than I will,” I assured her, envisioning the morning ahead. “Trust me.”

My stomach fluttered as I rapped on Teddy’s door. It was still awkward not knowing if he remembered me from the party—either he did and was helping me save face by not bringing it up, or he had no memory of me at all. I couldn’t decide which was more humiliating.

The door flew open, revealing Teddy dressed in joggers and a white tee-shirt that was a hair too snug, accentuating every muscle in his upper body. I swallowed, trying not to stare. I could see his pecs, for crying out loud. He could have a little modesty.

“Jigsaw!”

I smiled thinly, already tired of the nickname. “If I’m Jigsaw, who are you? Pinhead?”

Teddy grinned. “Wasn’t he like. . . a sex demon?” He cocked his head to the side. “Seems about right.”

“I. . . I didn’t mean—”

“Get in here, I’m just screwing around.” He opened the door wider and I followed him inside, already flustered. “Want something to drink? I’ve got Dr. Pepper and. . . Dr. Pepper.”

“It’s eight in the morning.”

“Wrong.” Teddy pulled two cans out of the fridge and handed me one. “You were supposed to be here at eight but you weren’t. Which means we’re officially in the Dr. Pepper time zone.”

“Touché.”

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