Page 2 of 7 Dirty Lies

We fell into a comfortable silence while we soaked up the sun.At least that was what I was trying to do.In reality, even after five days on the island, I was still restless.Vacation was exactly what I needed, but no amount of gorgeous scenery or alcohol could erase the messbackhome.

But then again, this wasn’t a well-planned escape from reality.It was anescape, pure and simple.The headlines.The paparazzi.The movie roles being pulled from under me...thanks to my parents, my entire way of life was now in question.Ted thought the best thing for me was to get away from the hurricane and since I was falling apart, I agreed.We packed two suitcases and hopped the first plane to his favoriteresort.

And while it was much nicer to sit beside a gorgeous blue infinity pool that looked out over the Atlantic, my mind couldn’t stop worrying about what I was goinghometo.

There were certainly no cowboys waiting for me.Nope.Just a freaking mess I called Cybil Hope and RogerLawrence.

An overly oiled young man with gold chains around his neck winked as he walked by and my heart took off in a panic.“Do you think peoplerecognizeme?”

But Ted laughed.“Perhaps, my dear, the next time we whisk off to the Caribbean for a week of anonymous relaxation, you choose to gobrunette?”

I knew red was a bad idea but Sven, my stylist, had insisted I looked nothing like my normal self as aredhead.

“Is it that bad?”I turned a lock over in my fingers.I really liked the shade, actually.It was fun and a nice change of pace from the drab brown I’d sported for the last four months of shooting.The role had been grueling and had better land me an Academy Award nomination, but by the end I’d felt uncharacteristicallyboring.

Redwasfun.

“It’sgood,” Ted said.“Really good.You look fantastic.That’s the problem.You’re a knockout.That’s why they’re looking, not because they see Lily Lawrence.”I sighed with relief.Until... “Oh, and have I mentioned rugged, sexy cowboy has been checking you out this wholetime,too?”

My eyes shot back across the pool.Cowboy now had a laptop out and a freaking phone to his ear.Figured.My fantasy popped like a balloon.“He’s working?At the pool?On vacation?”And most definitely not looking at me.Of course what did I expect at the Westerly Resort?The only people who could afford a week here—their minimum stay—were people like me: rich, famous, and stressed out.Rugged cowboy might have a farmer’s tan and a sexy bod, but he was clearly an overworked CEO ofsomekind.

But then again, he didn’t look too happyaboutit.

“Might I remind you that I had to ban you from talking business over mimosas this morning, or have you forgotten?”He pulled down his Ray Bans and gave me a disapproving look.“Don’t judge and for the love of god,getlaid.”

“Ted.Don’t becrude.”

He snorted.“Where did my Lily Pad go?Youdoremember when you used to be happy, right?Two years ago a comment like that would have been taken as a challenge.Even if you didn’t take my advice you would have sashayed over for some fun flirting.But now?Now I’m crude and you’re sulking.”He flung his arms out at the ocean.“You used to write poetry about the sky just because it was blue.When was the last time you wroteanything?”

That hurt.But only because it was true.The worst part of everything that had happened wasn’t losing my next two roles or seeing the idiotic and false headlines in my inbox.It was that there was a black hole where my creativity used to be, that the darkness had infected my soul and taken my personality along with it.I wasn’t myself anymore and I really hated that I let my parents win by allowing it tohappen.

“It’s been too long.”Iadmitted.

He took my hands.“Look, I’m not trying to be cruel.Honest to god I just want to help.I see you slipping away and I’m sure as hell not willing to sit back and watch for another minute.We needed away from the paparazzi but more than that, I really hoped you’d start writingagain.”

He was a good friend.“I’ve thought about it.I actually had an idea yesterday on thebeach.”

His face lit up with excitement.“See?You needed a little relaxation.You know what helps with that,right?”

“Don’t push it.”Iwarned.

But he just grinned, leaning closer.“Sexy.Alone.Freakishly serious while on vacation...he’s your soul mate.”Ted said it with a dramatic flare.“He’s barely cracked a smile, just like you.Maybe you can make each othersmile.”

“Is that why you haven’t found any lady friends on this trip?Are you waiting for me to do itfirst?”

“Get a lady friend or justgetlaid?”

“Ted.Please don’t avoid having fun on my account.”I completely ignoredhisjoke.

Damn.I reallywasn’tfunanymore.

He shot me a stern look.“Lily Lawrence, you are my best friend but even you couldn’t keep me from someone if I thought they were worth my attention.There hasn’t been...” His eyes shot up over my shoulder and held, his attention clearly stolen by somethingfascinating.

When I turned around I found a stunning brunette with the best Resting Bitch Face settling into the lounger across and down from us.She was athletically built with gorgeous hair and skin, but clearly had zero interest in being friendly with anyone—especially Ted.I could tell by the glare she senthisway.

“Down boy.That one’s notinterested.”

But his gaze stayed locked on the woman.“Never hurtstotry.”

---