Page 91 of Off Script
“Who are you trying to convince, Pipsqueak? Sounds an awful lot like you’re talking a good game because you’re afraid that you’re about to lose,” I tease.
Willa sticks out her tongue and throws a handful of popcorn at my face.
Yep, she’s running scared.
“Remember the phrase ishappier than a tick on a hemorrhoid.”
“Shut your freaking face, Sutton. I haven’t lost yet!” Another fistful of popcorn is lobbed my way. Luckily, like the rest of her, her hands are small, so it only amounts to a few kernels.
“No, but you’re about to,” I smirk as I snack on the popcorn littered across my chest and the couch in our hotel suite’s living room. Willa glares at me and attempts to smack my chest but I grab her hand before she makes contact, giving it a squeeze. “Tonight was fun, Pip.”
Willa smiles shyly. “It was,” she agrees. “Now shut up. We’re back from commercial break! Prepare to lose, Benji!”
31
Ben
We flew into Japan yesterday and had a rare day off. After sleeping in, I spent hours on FaceTime with Carlisle until it got to be really late in LA, and I forced her to hang up so she could sleep. Then I hung out with Willa for a bit. We grabbed sushi and watched another couple of episodes ofThe Bachelor.
Man, it was hilarious when Willa lost our last bet and told a German reporter that she’d be happier than a tick on a hemorrhoid if she and I got to work together on another movie.
Let’s just say that the phrase did not translate well.
To my utter joy, I wasn’t the only one who found her response entertaining. Her answer quickly became a viral meme shared by tens of thousands of people on social media. While Willa is dying of embarrassment and grinding her teeth anytime someone mentions the meme, I made it my phone screensaver and I crack up every single time I see it.
Tonight is our premiere in Tokyo. The cast members are gathering outside a rear private entrance to the hotel as we await our turns to head to the premiere.
As the elevator doors open, Thad exits, and as soon as he spies Willa, he whoops loudly. “Damn girl, you’re looking sexy tonight,” he criesas he twirls Willa around in a circle and dramatically bites his lip. He’s such a showboating douche.
But Willa does look beautiful—regal, radiant, and every bit the movie star that she is. She shines in her black gown that cinches in her waist while pumping up her breasts and showing off her legs with a thigh-high slit. Her auburn hair is wavy and loose, and her lips are painted a bold scarlet red. But more than her outward beauty, her inner happiness is apparent tonight.
Quickly stepping out of Thad’s arms, she shakes her head with a smile, clearly loving, but also being embarrassed by, his attention. “Oh, stop, Thad. You’re too much.”
“No, he’s not. He’s right, Willa. You look gorgeous,” I tell her and her cheeks tinge pink at my compliment.
“I wore it with you in mind,” Willa smiles at me coquettishly.
I freeze at her words, wondering if I misheard her. I don't understand what she means, but I brush it off.
“Where ya been, Willa?” Evan, one of our other co-stars asks as he saunters over to us, draping an arm over Willa’s shoulders. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in days.”
She smiles knowingly, her eyes straying from Evan’s to meet mine briefly, “Hanging out with Ben mostly. What about you? Did you do any sightseeing yesterday?”
“Nope. First time in Japan and I spent the entire day sleeping,” Evan admits with a laugh. “But we’re going out tonight. Right, Thad?”
“You know it. Want to come with us?” Thad inquires, cocking an eyebrow in Willa’s direction. “You seem like you’re in a fine mood, young lady, and I’m in the mood to celebrate that we’re almost done with this fucking long ass press tour. Only one city left. You in?”
Thad touches on something that I have also noticed tonight—Willa’s exceedingly good mood. While she has seemed happier since we rekindled our friendship in Berlin, tonight she seems even more effervescent. Almost euphoric.
I’m not sure why her behavior tonight is concerning, but something seems… off. I can’t put my finger on it, but Willa just seems different, and maybe not in an altogether good way.
Definitely happier. Maybe verging ontoohappy? Is that even such a thing? Being too happy?
From the first moment when she stepped out from her bedroom to head down to the hotel lobby to meet our co-stars, she has been chatty, bubbly, and bursting with a luminous glow. She’s laughing freely and acting more affectionately. On the surface, there’s nothing wrong with her behavior, but for whatever reason, it sets me on edge.
I’m feeling stressed and that’s my issue.I’m being stupid. Willa’s just in a good mood and I’m reading too much into it.
“Thanks for asking, Thad, but I’ll pass. I’m in a celebratory mood too, but I think I’d rather stay in tonight,” she replies, shooting a coy half-smile my way.
