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Damian
EXTRAtainmentExclusive!
Damian Marshall Hits the Beach in Ibiza
Escaping growing rumors that he’s come to a crossroads in his career, Hollywood’s favorite leading man Damian Marshall is reportedly staying at an exclusive villa in Ibiza. The Spanish island known for its celebrity-watching and nightclub scenes may seem like an unusual choice for a star trying to keep a low profile, but Marshall has frequented Ibiza in the past. He is believed to be staying at a vacation home belonging to model and actress Savannah Blake with whom Marshall shared an onscreen kiss inThe Outlerlands. Could this be the start of a new romance for the perennially single star?
* * *
So that was not fun.Vin’s got some kind of uberseasickness. He throws up for another hour after we get back inside. I try to keep an eye on him at first, but after a while even I’m starting to feel queasy. Every time I get halfway out of his room though, Vin makes sad puppy noises that end in more retching. I wind up lying on a lounger outside on his balcony, scrolling through news sites and looking at the latest bogus stories about me. Apparently, I’m in Spain. I hope Savannah doesn’t mind the imposition. She was fun to work with, but we aren’t nearly so close that I’d ever feel comfortable showing up unannounced. Still, Ibiza would be better than sitting here wincing every time Vin rushes back to the bathroom with a hurried slam of the door.
But this is what friends are for, I guess.
And really, I owe him. Things had been going so well right up until Vin lost his breakfast. Jack had bought into the Mr. Morgan persona hook, line, and sinker, and I could be... Well, I don’t know if I was being totally myself, but it felt closer to who I think I am than any other version of me has felt in a while. Jack’s either completely oblivious, or he needs to come back with me to California, because he’s the best actor I’ve ever met.
And now I’m stuck out here like a princess in a tower, waiting for her handsome fisherman to rescue her, and instead all I’ve got is Vin, who finally emerges late in the afternoon looking shaky but human. He’s wrapped up in a Wild Eagle monogrammed robe that’s so fluffy it practically swallows him, and he’s gingerly sipping a bottle of sparkling water. He sits down at the edge of the lounger, then pouts and squirms until he’s snuggled up against my chest.
“We need a blanket,” he says, shivering.
“You should go back inside,” I say, wiping his hair away from his forehead. His skin is clammy, and he smells vaguely of sweat. Later, he’s going to be humiliated that I saw him like this.
“No. Fresh air is good.” He sighs and nestles in farther. I’m aware of how intimate the pose is, and to the outside world, it would raise all kinds of questions, but I can honestly swear nothing is going on with us and never has. Well, there was that one time not long after we first met when we both sneaked into a premiere party because Vin knew one of the guys working security. We got completely wasted and made out in our tiny apartment when we got home. The morning after was hella awkward when we both admitted we had zero chemistry without alcohol to help us along.
But aside from that, there’s nothing romantic going on between us. Vin’s a great friend, sounding board, and partner in crime. Nothing more.
“I’ll call Ivy in the morning,” he says.
“What for?” I ask.
“She’ll find us somewhere else to stay. Somewhere that isn’t...” He burps softly. “Floating.”
Twenty-four hours ago, the idea of leaving was pretty much everything I wanted. Going back to California. Pretty much anywhere with a reliable cell signal so I could torture myself by refreshing social media and news feeds, looking for any new headlines with my name in them.
Now, though...
“We don’t have to go,” I say. When Vin looks up at me with a confused frown, I continue quickly. “I mean, obviously if you’re not feeling better, we’ll have to talk about it. But you were okay yesterday, right?”
“I guess.”
“Weren’t you?” I’m not a complete asshole. If he’s been putting on a brave face over his queasy stomach since we landed, that’s not fair to him.
“Yes. No. I mean, yeah, I was fine.” He sits up, squinting at me. “But I thought you hated it here.”
That was yesterday. Today, I got to spend a few hours with someone who treated me like a human being instead of a hero or a commercial asset. Anywhere else we go, it’ll be all the usual bowing and scraping or the steely professionalism that leaves me feeling isolated.
“I want to stay. If nothing else, the views are nice.”
Vin laughs softly. “Yeah, I saw you checking out the views earlier.”
Clearly he’s feeling better. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I push him away so I can stand up and go to the balcony, trying to create some space between me and my lies.
He swoons backward into the cushions I abandoned, draping a fluffy arm over his forehead dramatically. “Oh, Jack. Tell me more, Jack. Please hold my rod, Jack. Is it too tight, Jack? It’s so big, Jack.”
“Shut up!” My face feels like it’s on fire.
Vin pouts. “You were so adorable, making puppy eyes at the big, strong fisherman.”
