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“If it is, it’s in bad taste. This isn’t some rom-com.”
“Harper wouldn’t do that, but—”
The tech glanced behind him. “Isn’t that his trailer?”
“Shit! Is he in there?”
I jerked back from the window. Laughter rose up, and the scuff of quick footsteps, and I went back to the sink and dried off my face. When I was sure the coast was clear, I headed out to my limo. A camera flashed as I hopped in the back — maybe a tourist, but what if it wasn’t? What if an hour from now, I was a gossip blog headline,ERIC AND LACEY SPLITTING ALREADY? SEPARATE RIDES SPARK SPECULATION.
We had to play this right, or staying married would prove no better than divorcing.
I pulled my phone out to text Lacey, and she’d texted already.
I know you’re tired, but we need to talk.
I texted backI knowand dropped my phone in my pocket. It buzzed right away, and I fished it back out.
We’re all over socials,Lacey’s text read.Some of it’s good, lots of shipping and heart emojis.But then there’s this undercurrent of, hmmmmmmm, will they make it? And someone leaked a clip from our table read, us getting snippy and getting yelled at by Berg.
So we need to manage this.
I nodded at my screen, though Lacey couldn’t see me.
We should meet,I wrote.Have a strategy session.
Lacey sent back a thumbs-up, and thenNo drinks!!!!!
I sent backLOL. Your suite in 20?
Lacey thumbs-downed that, then flipped to a thumbs-up. I was about to put my phone away when it rang in my hand. When I saw who was calling, my stomach went sour: Sam. I hadn’t talked to him beyond a quick text, explaining that I’d gotten married and to brace for the fallout. I’d left out the part about the club and the booze, and the divorce storm he’d be fielding once filming was done.
I hovered my thumb over the talk button, but didn’t pick up. The call went to voicemail, and a text popped instead.
WHAT THE HELL, man?! You got married without me!?????!!
I thought we were friends. GOOD friends, even.
Is this about what I said back at the Rio?
I stared at Sam’s texts, my stomach all curdled. I’d really hurt him. Of course I had. I’d have felt the same way if he’d tied the knot without me there to see it. I’d always figured he’d be my best man, as I’d been his when he got married.
I’m sorry,I typed, but it didn’t feel like enough. I backspaced it out and stared at the blank space.
Congratulations,said Sam.For whatever that’s worth.
My limo pulled up outside the hotel. I slid out, thumb flying, and headed inside, texting my way across the cool foyer.
It’s worth everything,and it isn’t about you. This isn’t me dissing you, or revenge for the Rio. I’d forgotten all about that. I PROMISE were food. Got to go do a think but well tall, okay?
I hit send, then winced as I noticed all the typos. I’d hurt my best friend, and this was how I fixed it? A quick, messy text on my way to see Lacey? I was about to give in and just call him already, but the elevator arrived, and Berg arrived with it.
“Oh, good,” he said. “We’ll ride up together.”
I frowned. “Weren’t you going down?”
“No, up. I was swimming.” He held up his towel, and I got on with him. I thought he would talk to me on the way up, about today’s shooting or plans for tomorrow. Instead, he stood whistling while I toyed with my phone. It felt rude to call Sam with Berg standing watching, so I settled for one more text.Talk first thing tomorrow.
Sam didn’t respond, which from him was a snub. Healwayswrote back, had to have the last word. I pulled up his contact — I couldn’t wait for tomorrow — but Lacey’s door swung open.
