“What about Kennedy Gannon? Was she a bitch? I’ve heard she can be a little uptight. Plus, I read up on her while you were gone. Apparently, she almost hit Cameron in some fight. I almost texted you to be careful, but I didn’t want–”
“She didnot. That whole thing blew up because people wanted to get paid for their bullshit,” she interjected. “They fought, yeah, but Cameron didn’t throw a glass at her, and Kennedy definitely didn’t almost hit her.”
“I guess you would know.”
“I like her.”
“Who?”
“Kennedy.”
“So, shewasnice? That’s good.”
“No, you’re kind of missing the point here, Cal. I like her. I really, really like her.”
Calista shook her head and offered River wide eyes.
“I’m sorry; are you saying you like Kennedy Gannon as something more than one of the famous women you spent time with this weekend?”
River nodded and replied, “I can’t explain it, but she’s great. I spent most of the weekend with her.”
“You didn’t–”
“What? No. Nothing happened. I would never do that to Lace. Besides, Kennedy is with Cameron.”
“Yeah, and they’ve been together for five years. They’re basically married, River.”
River wasn’t about to break Kennedy’s confidence only a few days after promising to keep it, so she couldn’t correct her best friend on that. She also didn’t know for a fact what would happen with that crumbling relationship in the future. Maybe Kennedy and Cameronwouldstay together anyway and get married one day, and she would just be one of many women who had a massive crush on Kennedy Gannon.
“Nothing happened. Nothing like that, anyway. Lacey kind of connected with Cameron, and I connected with Kennedy, so we hung out with them more than each other.”
“River… You had one job.”
“I know. But Lacey was having fun with Cameron, too. It worked out, I guess, is the best way to say it.”
“But you have more than friendly feelings for a woman you’re not dating, River.”
“Which is why Lace and I need to talk.”
“I’d say so. You know nothing can happen with you and Kennedy, though, right?”
“Yes. She’s with someone.”
“Not just because of that. I mean, she’s Kennedy freaking Gannon. She’s a movie star.”
“Yeah. So?”
River crossed her arms over her chest.
“You barely leave this place,” Calista noted. “She lives in LA, I’m assuming. It’s not a long flight or something, but it’s a long-ass drive in traffic. Let’s pretend she dumps Cameron, runs through the front door, and declares her undying love for you. Are you going to move up there?”
“What? No.”
“And is she going to move down here?”
“You’re being ridiculous,” River stated. “I know it’s not going to happen, okay? I’m not delusional; I get it. I only told you because that was part of what made me really understand that I needed to end things with Lacey. That whole car ride back was just awkward. When I got here, we were really busy, so you and I couldn’t talk before you had to go, but I’ve been here every night since. She hasn’t offered to stay over. I have not offered to stay over there. We’re supposed to go out on Friday night, but I don’t want to go out with her.”
“Why are you delaying the inevitable, then?”
