Page 46 of As They Are
“So, you blame yourself?”
“Sometimes.”
“Can I blame myself?”
“Wren, what could you have possibly done?”
She pressed her lips together. “Yeah, I know. I just hoped that ... Never mind. It doesn’t matter. Obviously, he’s busy. Typical Hollywood guy. Nice for the cameras, a selfish dick when they’re off. I doubt he’s thought twice about me.”
I let out a laugh without realizing. “What an idiot, then.”
“Why is he an idiot?”
“Anyone who doesn’t think twice about you obviously doesn’t have eyes.” Her cheeks turned dusty pink and I realized the enormity of what I’d said. “I ... mean in a friendly way, of course.”
“Of course.” She tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. “You know, you’re being nicer than he was. And I’ll still have to date him when they tell me to. I put my foot down that I wouldn’t ignore him kissing someone else if it were real, but I know they’re aiming to have us back together in the show.”
Instantly, I knew I hated the idea of her being forced to even interact with a man who didn’t give her the time of day. Usually,I was good at separating myself from others’ problems, but not with her.
“If he is as you say he is, then it isn’t worth it.”
“I know,” she replied. “But this was my chance to do bigger and better things. I should have realized it came with strings attached.”
“When do they get here?”
“Next week,” she replied. “And while having him here isn’t gonna be fun, I’m so excited to spend more time with Mollie. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed ...” She trailed off as she looked back over at Jade.
“Is that why you were shocked by what Jade said?”
She blinked. “Nothing gets past you, does it?”
“Half of this town avoids telling me what’s going on with them. Usually it’s about health things, but sometimes mental health too. I’ve learned to look.”
“It’s not like it’s a big deal,” she said. “I’m happy that she came here and made new friends.”
“But you’re worried about it.”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “It’s a bad habit of mine.”
“She talked about you all the time when you weren’t here. She was so happy about the show.”
“She’s the best. I wonder how the distance will feel once this is all over.”
“When you go back to Nashville, you mean?”
She nodded. “I have a lot of jobs there. Even if I don’t continue the show. It’s a huge market. I always thought Mollie would be there too. Not that I’m complaining that she found all of ...this.”
“Feelings are complicated. And she’s your best friend.”
“She’s my only friend.”
“That’s not true. You have me now.”
“You’re right,” she said with a laugh. “How could I forget? Anyway, I should let you get back to whatever you were doing.”
“I was just walking to work from my house.”
“Ahouse?”she asked. “Wow, you have it all together. Is it in need of work?”
