Hollywood’s Hottest Couple No More? Clover Daly and Roman Everett were spotted leaving NYC on separate flights. Sources say both kept to themselves and seemed upset.
Casting Cat Fight! With Clover out as Roman’s onscreen leading lady, and their explosive fight, will Hailey McDonald swoop in?
Jill’s right, going back to my place isn’t an option. “Where to then? A hotel?” I ask with a sigh.
“I’ve got a better idea.”
At Jill’s place, we unload a few items from the suitcase, and Smokey slowly looks around, taking in the new environment. Jill’s place is not what I would’ve expected for her. The walls have no art on them, and everything looks like an interior designer specializing in modernism just threw shit around. It’s not veryJillat all. But then again, I suppose it doesn’t need to be since she’s rarely here anyways.
My heart squeezes when I look over at Smokey. She’s been right beside me since we got here, it’s like she knows. Her big, pumpkin-colored eyes scan over me, assessing. Nudging my hand with her head, she insists I keep petting her. Her soft fur and the gentle vibration of her purrs are my only source of comfort right now. Jill bends down to give Smokey’s back a little pat, and she arches up into it.
“I’ll stick you in the guest room thatdoesn’tface Roman’s building.”
Even his name makes me want to cry big, dumb tears. How can I simultaneously miss someone so badly I want to throw up, while also wanting to absolutely throttle them? I shake my head and rub my eyes.
It doesn’t matter how I feel about Roman right now. I just need to survive these next two weeks until San Diego Comic-Con.
Chapter Sixty-Five
ROMAN
Sleep evades me all night long. At four in the morning I give up and move over to my piano, playing the song I composed for Clover over and over again, losing myself in the notes until the sky lightens.
Blinking and coming back into my body, I look over at the clock and realize I need to get in my car and head down to San Diego.
This afternoon, theDarkness Risingcast and Arnold have a panel at San Diego Comic Con, where we’ll be screening the first teaser trailer for the film and answering questions and doing a meet and greet with fans.
I was so excited about this event a few weeks ago. It’s the first chance to really interact with the fans of the franchise and to share what we’ve been working on for them.
Now it feels pointless.
Everything is pointless without Clover. Knowing I’ll be seeing her today is the only thing that’s propelling me forward.
It feels wrong here without her and that damn cat. Sure,I’m not itchy and my eyes aren’t red, but I miss that crotchety little thing, and I sure as fuck miss her owner.
Without Jill here, it’s been painfully quiet. I didn’t realize how accustomed to her presence I’ve grown. Now, I’m left with only my misery for company.
Although it’s lonely, I am happy that Jill is with Clover. As shit as it is for me to be on my own right now, the idea of Clover being alone is impossible to stomach.
I fucked everything up, she shouldn’t have to lose Jill too because of my mistakes.
Swiping my keys off the counter, I head down to the car as anticipation swirls in my stomach.
It’s been two weeks. Two weeks without hearing her laugh. Without seeing her smile. Without so much as a word from the woman who’s come to mean everything to me. I know what I need to do today. I don’t dare dream of it winning her back–I don’t deserve her. But I hope it’ll fix the mess I’ve made.
Chapter Sixty-Six
CLOVER
Ablack leather bodycon dress screams, “I don’t give a fuck,” right?At least, I hope that’s what the outfit says, because the girl underneath it is a shaky mess.
Playing with my hair and deciding between having it up or down eats up the last twenty minutes before it’s time for me to leave the hotel and head to the event with the rest of the cast.
A knock sounds at the door, and my nerves are so fried that it almost makes me burst into tears.
“Pull your shit together, Daly,” I whisper to myself before answering.
Arnold is there. He gives me a sad smile. He’s been an absolute doll since news of the casting shakeup broke, calling me and reassuring me he’s doing everything on his end to reverse it.
