Page 21 of Reckless Storm
“And it may surprise you,” Amelia adds, ignoring his comment, “but fake dating happensallthe time.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know. But it does.”
“Okay. Sure.” Luke jumps up and grabs Juliet from Amelia’s arms, giving her a kiss. “I think my daughter has heard enough about dating. Since she won’t be doing it until she’s thirty, I’m taking her inside.”
He walks away and I laugh after him. “Good luck with that, Lukey Boy. I can’t wait to see thatnothappen.”
Amelia insists on watching theJaded Beginningsteaser three more times before I call it a day.
“I can’t get over how amazing this is, Hayley,” she says, pulling me into a hug. “The lighting, the cinematography, the sets. It’s perfect.”
“What about the acting?” Trust Amelia to look at all the behind-the-scenes work. She’s going to be an amazing director when she finally gets her time to shine.
“You know you’re incredible, Hayley. But if you need me to say it… You’re incredible.”
“Why, thank you. Let’s hope the critics feel the same.”
“They will. I have no doubt.”
Luke offers to drive me home, and it’s not until I get inside that I remember Reed’s message, and I scrounge around in my bag to find my phone, locating the fan mail Bill gave me instead.
My lips pull into a smile as I slip my nail beneath the seal, ripping it open to find neat, non-childlike handwriting.
Hayley,
Congratulations on what I know is about to become a life-changing part for you. I can’t wait for the movie to finally be released. You were born to play Riley and you're going to be a star.
Not long now until we all get to see yourbeautiful face on the big screen.
Your biggest supporter
X
As sweet as that is, itwasn’twritten by a child. And if it was, and a parent helped, I’d have to question what kind of person is letting them watch my movie? It’snotPG13. Or even close to that.
Either way, I can’t deny it’s a nice positive note, so I fold it back up and slip it into my top drawer. With the negativity that’s bound to come my way now that the teaser’s been released, I might need it one day.
With a smile on my face, I perch on the edge of my bed and grab my phone, ready to check Reed’s message.
But before I can, it buzzes in my hand, with my agent asking if I’ve seen the teaser. We rapidly message back and forth, and it’s only after we’re done that I finally get to Reed’s text.
REED: Tell Amelia I said hi. But not Luke. I see that guy enough
I giggle to myself and instantly regret not reading this while I was there. I would have taken great joy in passing that message along. Turns out Reed wasn’t lying about being nice all the time. There’s more to Mr. Coombs than meets the eye.
HAYLEY: Oh we are definitely meant to be friends
I click send and throw my phone on my bed, not expecting him to reply right away considering it’s been hours since we lasttexted. But I’m wrong. My phone buzzes before I’ve had a chance to step away.
REED: Lucky for you, I’m holding auditions on Friday. I’ll book you in for ten
A laugh bursts out of me and I fall back onto the mattress, a giddy smile on my lips.So much more to him than meets the eye.And I can’t wait to discover it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Reed
