Page 52 of The Hollywood Switch-up

Stefan watched the fear flash across Erika’s face. Coño. Isabelle Vance. Of all the people corporate could have sent.

“Isabelle and I go back,” Stefan said. “I know what she looks for, how she digs. Let me run interference.”

“That’s not a plan. That’s you putting yourself between me and a problem again.” She squared her shoulders. “What happens when she asks you a direct question and you have to choose between lying for me or saving yourself?”

“Erika—”

“You said you see me.” Her voice wavered but held. “So, see this. I’m terrified. I'm way over my head. But I didn’t come here to hide behind someone else while they fix my problems.” She took a breath. “If she’s coming for this production, she’s coming for both of us. So, we handle it together. Or not at all.”

Together.

He held out his hand. She looked at it for a moment. Then her fingers slid into his.

“So we’re in this together,” she said. “Both of us. No more unilateral heroics.”

“I don’t know what that word means. I’m an actor, not a professor.”

“It means stop trying to save me without asking first.”

His hand was still holding hers. Neither of them had let go.

Lily cleared her throat. Loudly. “Great. Touching. Literally. Now, can we figure out how to survive the next thirty-six hours without someone getting fired or arrested?”

Erika pulled her hand back, pink flooding her cheeks. Stefan flexed his fingers. Estás jodido, Cruz.

But watching her square her shoulders and turn to face Lily, he didn’t mind as much as he should.

ERIKA

Morning light slanted through the shutters, striping the sheets in pale gold. Erika had slept maybe two hours. Her phone woke her. Anneliese’s name on the screen.

Annie Banana:

Rise and shine, sis! I just finished PT. My leg feels like it’s been through a meat grinder. But the hot nurse with the forearms? Worth it. How’s my doppelgänger doing with Satan Cruz?

Eri:

It’s fine.

Annie Banana:

“Fine”? That’s it? Did you post the thing yet?

Her throat tightened. The “thing.” First came the blind items, sources say Cruz demanded top billing over Morgan. But now Anneliese wanted more. A full takedown post, drafted and waiting in her sister’s notes app, ready to torch Stefan Cruz.

Eri:

Not yet.

Annie Banana:

Eri. #Stennalise is trending. TRENDING. People are making fan edits. Writing fanfiction. Acting like he’s some kind of romantic hero instead of the snake who tried to destroy my career. We need to shut this down.

Eri:

I just think with Isabelle coming⁠—

Annie Banana: