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“Listen, I know this isn’t your fault,” I said, looking around, relieved that Jessica hadn’t shown up to the party yet. “I appreciate you trying to navigate this to make it easier on everyone.”
“Hopefully, it’s been put to rest. I heard that interview byThe Hollywood Momentis getting a lot of buzz. Everyone’s excited to read it and meet your new lady, and I’ve got to say, she’s spectacular.” Sadie waggled her brows.
“Yeah. They don’t get any better than Reese Murphy.” My gaze moved across the room to find her with her head back in a full-bodied laugh. The group around her had grown, as people were just drawn to all that goodness.
I could attest to that.
“It’s good to see you happy. And I know Jessica is going to make things challenging, but with her contract right now, we don’t have a ton of options.” Charles cleared his throat. “She’s got us all by the balls at the moment. Just know that things are in the works. We’ve got your back. Now that’s enough shop talk. Go enjoy yourself.”
I nodded, and they both stepped away just as Lacey hurried over. “Finn, I’ve missed you.”
Lacey did our hair on the set, and she was one of my favorites to work with. She gave me a big hug and glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was listening. “So, I’ve got some news. Edward and I have been seeing each other since shooting ended.”
Edward was one of several camera guys. Cool dude. I’d planted the seed that Lacey liked him because the girl had been crushing on him for months. He wasn’t here today as he’d taken a gig on another set during our downtime. Not everyone could afford to take months off between seasons, so it was common to find other jobs when we weren’t filming.
“That’s what I like to hear,” I said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
“We’re actually moving in together. Looks like things worked out for both of us in that department,” she said, beaming up at me. “And thank God that it shut Jessica the hell up. Everyone is so pissed at the crap she’s pulled with this shitstorm she started. I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with all that drama. But maybe that’s what pushed you into getting into something serious with Reese. I need to meet her. I feel like I’ve heard so much about her for so long, and now you’re a couple. And you’re in love, Finny.”
She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me again, her head falling back in laughter. She was goofy by nature, and she made work a lot of fun for everyone.
I looked up, and my gaze locked with Reese’s. I wasn’t sure what I saw there. Was she upset about something? I quickly scanned the room, but there was no sign of Jessica. When I looked back, Reese wasn’t looking at me any longer, but her shoulders were squared, and there wasn’t the usual lightness there.
A loud ruckus had my attention moving to the door just as Jessica came walking through with an entourage. She had security on each side of her, and her own hair and makeup team behind them, as she refused to use the on-set crew. Why she felt the need to bring hair, makeup, and security to a work event was beyond me. But the girl was definitely not predictable, so I never knew what kind of stunt she’d pull.
The air in the room shifted with her presence, and I excused myself from Lacey and beelined over to Reese.
“Hey, y’all!” Jessica yelled out. “Let’s get this party started.”
I reached Reese just as Jessica approached her. My hand came around her protectively as I pulled her back up against my chest.
I’m here.
The lines were blurring for me with Reese, but I needed to keep my head on straight.
Reese’s hands came over my forearm that rested against her chest, and she tipped her head back to look at me.
“Well, isn’t this just adorable,” Jessica said as her gaze locked with mine. “I heard you two did an interview together. I’m sure everyone can’t wait for it to release. Way to keep the focus on the show.”
“Hey, let’s not start any drama. This is a party,” Brenna said. She had a supporting role on the show, and she and I had become good friends. Her husband stood beside her, shoulders squared, as if he were ready to defend her at all costs.
I understood that.
“This doesn’t seem like much of a party, at least not until I got here.” She moved closer, and her security guard stood slightly in front of her, giving her a warning look.
“If you have something to say, you don’t need to make a scene. Use your words,” Reese hissed, catching me off guard.
“Oh, the little country girl has a voice. How nice.” Jessica laughed. “I knew you were trouble when you came to the premiere party, you home-wrecking whore.”
That was all I needed. I unlocked my hold on Reese and slipped her behind me, moving into Jessica’s space. “You don’t get to speak to her. You don’t even get to fucking look at her. Do you hear me?”
I barely recognized my own voice. I’d never felt this kind of anger before. But she’d pushed me too far.
“Oh, someone is sensitive about their ‘special friend,’” she said, using two fingers on each hand to make air quotes dramatically. “Were you fucking her the whole time we were together?”
“You seriously need to get help. We were never together, and you fucking know it. What is your obsession with this? You don’t get enough attention for your acting skills?” There were camera flashes going off from behind her, and I looked up to see two dudes taking photos that were not part of this party.
How the fuck did they get in?
