Page 81 of Burn the Script

“It’s brave of him to call you during the weekend.”

Miguel’s voice pitched higher. “Right? He’s the villain in my story, always ignoring my boundaries. I’m never answering my phone on a Saturday again.”

Wisely, I kept my comments and laughter to myself. Miguel would burn all his precious fabric before admitting he enjoyed being in high demand.

I thought of the demands I placed on myself and how tiring it had become to meet them. The acting schedule. The fake relationship with Tatum. The lie I lived. It was exhausting, keeping up appearances, and I longed for a change. I ached for a simple, quiet life with Miguel.

While he continued the amazing head massage, I rubbed circles on his thighs. “I want to get your thoughts on something. What if Tate and I call off the engagement?”

He tensed and leaned back, narrowing his eyes. “Why?”

“It’s weird that we haven’t set a date or started planning a wedding. People have noticed.”

“By people, you mean her fans.” Miguel spit out the last word like it tasted bitter. “Let them notice. Couples have long engagements all the time, and the wedding plans are no one’s business. It’s not like her fandom will be invited.” His ferocity put a smile on my face.

“There won’t be a wedding, darling. It’s all pretend.”

“Then keep pretending for a while longer. There’s no sense in blowing everything up when you’re almost at the end.” The silk ran through my fingers as he climbed from the chair. “Do you want me to read the script to you?”

“That would be great.”

With a soft kiss to my forehead, he said, “Stay where you are. I’ll make us some tea and grab your laptop. Then I’ll show you what quality acting looks like.”

I closed my eyes and waited, wondering how I got lucky enough to fall in love with someone who knew me better than I knew myself. Someone willing to stand by me, whether I was at my best or worst.

A grin formed on my lips when I thought of the ring hidden in a drawer. Miguel accused me of being impatient, but I had bought the ring weeks earlier. I planned to propose on our fourth anniversary, which was a few months away. And while he didn’t give me a straight answer to any of my previous proposals, I was confident he’d say yes to the next one.

35

GRAHAM

NOW

Tuesday, February 21st

My gritty eyes feel like sandpaper against my eyelids. I need sleep, but all the minor tasks piling up these past few weeks demand my attention: budget adjustments, vendor invoices, inventory checks. Kristen has everything handled, but she’s not responsible for the production. If anything slips through the cracks, the blame falls on me. And if I can’t make a serious dent in this to-do list, I may not be able to visit Miguel this coming weekend.

“What the fuck, G?” Maisy’s voice startles me. She’s been lying on the sofa in my trailer, keeping me company while I work at the table.

I look up from my laptop and blink. “What? What have I done?”

“You haven’t done anything.”

She wrestles the earbuds from her ears and sits across from me, shoving her phone in my face. Her finger jabs the screen to start a video of Angie from The Starlight Show interviewing my former co-star, Phoebe Lewis.

I’ve been a guest on Angie’s show enough times to know the red pantsuit, matching lipstick, and brown hair in a severe bun is her power look. Despite the casual way she has her legs crossed, and the warm smile on her face, she’s planning a silent attack.

“When we last talked, you mentioned that you and Graham were close as co-stars. Everyone felt the chemistry you had with him on screen. It certainly raised eyebrows because he was engaged to Makenzie at the time. And in September, you and Graham were seen getting cozy at the Bayside Film Festival. Have the two of you remained close?”

Phoebe shrugs, quick and coy, looking innocent in a floral dress with ruffled sleeves. “I guess you could say we’ve always had a strong”—she pauses, as though she’s searching for the most enticing word—“connection.”

Baffled, I shake my head. “We ran into each other at the festival, and I gave her a hug. Asked her what she’s been up to because I don’t follow her career.”

“Keep watching,” Maisy says.

“…had Graham on the show last month, and he hinted at a possible change to his single status. Then he rushed to San Antonio for Makenzie. What are your thoughts on Hollywood’s sweethearts getting back together? The world is rooting for them. Are you?”

Angie is a ruthless interviewer, which is why her show tops the ratings. She exposes lies with swift precision. The only reason she never spotted mine is because I really do love Tatum, as a best friend.