Page 70 of False Promises

Could Savannah and I be something different one day? Something more?

Or were we destined to drive each other mad for the rest of time?

Was anything we shared even genuine, or was it all for the show?

My eyes trailed on the dressing room where the white gown lay on the floor in a wrinkled puddle. Don’t be silly, it’s just a dress. A ridiculous piece of fabric.

My ass hit the mattress, and I bent forward.

“Damn it,” I cursed as I threw my bowtie across the room.

19

SAVANNAH

Action.

The camera flashed, and I got into royalty mode. I posed, smiled, and batted my eyelashes for the photographers gathered along the red carpet. Carter stood tall by my side, his smile not reaching his eyes. I could tell he was still upset with me for the change of outfit. He wasn’t the type to stay mad longer than needed. Soon he’d get over it. When he realized we were a hit. That people loved us together and we attracted the attention of the public and the press.

I pivoted and kissed him. Instinctively, his arm looped around my waist, and he kissed me back. Yes, we’d be all right.

In the dark, we sat in the old movie theatre, side by side for the screening of Sailor’s Wife. I played the part of a sexy bartender falling for the main character’s best friend. Nervous energy spread through each of my cells. Carter held my hand in his and leaned over to whisper, “You’ll do amazing. Relax and enjoy.”

I nodded, chewing on my bottom lip, as the opening credit filled the screen.

The crowd laughed on point and “Ahhed” on point too. From the sound of it, they were enjoying the movie. A layer of stress melted away. Could this role propel me to bigger ones? I crossed my fingers, praying the universe would hear my plea. This was ridiculous. I was super talented. Even though I only had a minor role, any smart director would recognize it.

My first scene played on the screen. Carter’s squeeze on my hand tightened. My lips mouthed the lines I had learned by heart.

Air caught in my lungs. The movie kept rolling, but I couldn’t register anything. Where was the scene where I got sprayed with a hose by that kid when I walked into the backyard? Or the one where I complained about my lack of love life in front of fake-drunk patrons? Or the making-out scene in that rusty pickup truck when my onscreen lover showered me with gifts after he thought he lost me?

Humiliation clogged my throat.

How did they dare to cut my role to an eight-minute appearance?

Why did no one inform me? Was I being played?

My fingernails drew pinpricks of blood on my palms as I fisted my hands.

Sliding from my seat, I rushed out of the screening room. I wanted to go home. To forget all about this night. I’d never accept being the butt of the joke.

“Great job, Savannah,” exclaimed a man I recognized to be a member of the crew when I passed him in my hurry to disappear.

I murdered him with my eyes before locking myself in the ladies’ room. There. No one could get me here. I was safe.

Before I could sit on the floor, a soft knock startled me.

“Hey, I know you’re in there.” Carter’s voice sounded worried. And protective. “Open the door.”

“No. Go away. Leave me alone.”

“Open the door, or I’ll get someone to do it.”

I exhaled my frustration. No doubt he would get it unlocked if I refused. Damn it.

With shaky fingers, I turned the lock. “Happy now? You’re here to feast on my humiliation? Does it make you hard to see me broken?”

He closed in on me and grabbed my upper arms, forcing me to look at him. “I have no clue what went down in there. I was hoping you’ll tell me more.” His soft voice wrapped around my bleeding heart.