Page 35 of You and Me, For Real
“Anytime, bro, but you’ve really got to put that woman out of her misery.”
“I know.”
“These uncomfortable exchanges between the two of you are brutal to witness. Part of me wondered yesterday if maybe she’s a superior actress playing a devoted girlfriend, but after that?” He gestures behind us. “I’m convinced that woman is in love with you.”
I groan. This is not what I want to think about right now.
“What am I supposed to do? Our contract isn’t up for another eight weeks. We still have the premiere to attend together, plus all the promotion after the show airs. If I say something now, it’ll make these final weeks awkward for the both of us.”
“And if you don’t, you’re going to break that woman’s heart.”
My stomach tightens. “True, but I’ll probably end up doing that anyway.”
“Yup. Might as well put yourself and her out of misery and just do it already.”
He’s right. I know he is. And I hate stringing her along, especially after our years of friendship together. I owe it to her to tell her, no matter how uncomfortable it’ll be.
I open the door to the SUV, scoop up Roxy, and slip her inside. We placed a bed for her in the backseat next to me. She walks to it and curls into a tight ball.
I slide into the seat next to Roxy. “This is what I hate about Hollywood. The politics. Why can’t I just do my job? Act. Do it well and get chosen based on my skill and not by playing nice with someone I’m fake-dating just because I want to work with her father. Is that too much to ask?”
Luke starts the engine. “Brother, you’re asking the wrong country boy. I don’t understand half the things you people do here.”
I tug off my hat and ruffle my hair. “Neither do I, man. Neither do I.”
11
ASHTON
Iflip the lock on the shelter’s door and pull theClosedsign, dreading the conversation I’m about to have.
All day I’ve managed to hold off Lynn’s persistent nosiness, conveying I didn’t want to discuss anything with such eager ears around. Meaning Marissa. She nagged me all day like a relentless Chihuahua for details about my exchange with Griffin yesterday.
“How did you meet him?”
“Why’d he act like he knew you?”
“What does he smell like?”
“What kind of car does he drive? I can’t believe I didn’t think to look.”
“Do you think he’s really dating Scarlet?”
That last one, in particular, stung because she shoved her phone in my face to flash pictures of Griffin and Scarlet together—at the exact park where I’d left him. The two were captured entangled in some kind of intimate romp—laughing and smiling at one another like they were truly in love and oblivious to any cameras around. It didn’t matter how much I didn’t want to bein photos with him, a part of me was jealous he was with her instead of me.
He treated me with nothing but kindness. In fact, I smiled and laughed more than I have in a long time. He gave no indication of anything but a possible friendship between us. And yet…the way his eyes pierced into mine with such focus and intimacy made me tingle all over every time we made eye contact. Maybe he gives that kind of direct attention to everyone he meets? Or maybe I should stop acting like a pining fool—reading into our interactions too much—over a man I just met. Who also happens to have a very famous, equally gorgeous girlfriend.
“Okay, young lady, it’s time we had our little chat.” Lynn pulls out both rolling chairs from the front desk and holds one out for me. “I’ve patiently waited all day to find out exactly what’s eating you from the inside out. It’s all over your face. Now sit.”
I do as commanded and sit across from her, our knees nearly touching.
She pulls out the bottom drawer behind the counter—our secret stash of candy bars. “I have a feeling this calls for some candy therapy. What’s your chosen poison?”
“Twix, please.” I hold out my hand, and she slaps it into my palm. Mine is ripped open and a bite is in my mouth before she closes the drawer with her selected PayDay.
“Let me guess. Griffin?”
“Yup.” I accentuate thepwith a pop.
