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But I don’t have a choice. I signed on to this project, knowing from the very beginning that it might be trouble. The difference is, I thought he’d be the one to cause the trouble, when in reality, I’m the culprit. If I would have just kept my feelings to myself, maybe I’d be better off right now.
***
I go directly to hair and makeup when I arrive at the theater on Monday, hoping and praying I won’t run into Kai on my way. I opt to put my headphones in—corded ones because Leah now has my AirPods—while the stylist curls loose waves into my hair. She’s really pleasant, and I usually would have enjoyed talking with her, but today, I just need to be alone with my own thoughts.
I close my eyes, relishing the pull of the curling iron through my hair as I listen to my music. First thing this morning, we have a photoshoot on stage. We’ll all be in character, shooting a few promo stills that will be on the program and the promotional posters. Then, after lunch, we’ll meet with the press for interviews before our first preview in front of an audience tomorrow.
Long story short, I’ll have plenty of time to make a fool of myself in front of Kai again.
While I consider what I’ll say to him when I see him this morning, I feel a touch on my shoulder. My eyes fly open. Maureen is sitting next to me, blinking eagerly with her fingers poised on her chin.
Reluctantly, I remove my earbuds. “Hi. What’s up?”
She shifts in her seat and looks back and forth between me and my stylist. She leans in. “There’s something I have to tell you…”
I watch her, waiting. If I know Maureen, her story will be less interesting than she makes it out to be.
She clasps her hands in front of her and darts her gaze back up to my stylist briefly. “When we’re alone…”
So, we sit in awkward silence while my hair is finished. But my stylist senses the anxious temperature of the room, quickly completes the job, and smiles at the both of us before leaving us alone.
Maureen immediately grasps the arms of my chair and swivels it so I’m facing her. “Oh my God, you’ll never guess what happened Saturday night.” Her eyes are wide.
“What happened?” I casually wrap up my headphones and tuck them into my hand.
“You can’t tell anyone…” she whispers.
I raise a skeptical eyebrow. “What did you do…?”
“No, no, it’s not bad. It’s just…I don’t want it gossiped about. I barely believe it myself.” She places her hand over her mouth like she’s afraid the words might burst out too fast.
I laugh lightly. “Ok, I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
Maureen glances at the closed door and then back at me. She drops her hand from her mouth. “I almost can’t say it.”
God, she’s dramatic. Just say it, Maureen. Could it really be that groundbreaking?
She takes a deep breath. “Kai came to my room.”
Ok, maybe it could.
I fight to hide my interest as I respond. “Oh? To run lines?”
She shakes her head and grins. “No...”
I gulp, trying desperately to appear unfazed. “What did he come for then?”
Maureen raises a seductive eyebrow.
My mouth runs dry. I can’t believe it. Barely two seconds after she says it, and I’m already denying her words.
“He came in all agitated, and I thought maybe he just needed to talk. But he said he didn’t want to talk,” Maureen explains.
I grit my teeth, not wanting to hear any of this.
“I don’t really know what was bothering him. I thought maybe he needed an outlet after blocking the sex scene with you…no offense,” she adds.
I shake my head numbly. I know what’s coming.
