“You’re not an asshole. People can’t see Ria for who she really is, and I hate that, but I get it. She puts up a strong, impenetrable façade. She’s such a good actress. That’s why people believe her.”
“The hard part’s going to be convincing Lunar to get on board.”
“Tell me about it. Anyway, where is everyone?”
“They’re all in the viewing area, waiting. Wanna go?”
“Yeah, may as well. I’m sure today’s gonna be torture no matter when it starts.”
Tillie takes another sip of her water and shakes her head. “This really is quite delicious,” she chuckles as she wraps her arm in mine before we head to the viewing area. Walking up the steps, I see Matt, Ryan, and Lunar are already there, and Oliver is off to the side on his cell. As we approach, everyone looks over and smiles.
“Hey, it’s my girl,” Ryan says, smiling at Tillie.
“I just had the coolest conversation with Zaria,” Tillie tells them, making me bubble inside with pride.
“Let me guess… she’s possessed by the devil and just won the part of Regan in a remake of TheExorcist?” Lunar jabs.
“Fuck’s sake, Lunar,” I warn.
“Oh, relax. I’m only joking…kinda,” Lunar says.
“Actually, no, she was really lovely. Showed me a different side to her. The side Nate’s been seeing. The real Zaria, I think,” Tillie says.
Lunar rolls her eyes. “She’s probably a master manipulator—”
“Lunar, look… I love you, you know that. I’d do anything for you. But please don’t talk about her like that. She’s not a manipulator. That woman is the kindest, most warm-hearted person I know. If you got over your jealousy for five seconds and gave her a chance, I think you two could be good friends.”
“I might be jealous, I’m not gonna hide that fact from you guys, but she looks down on us, and I had just about enough of that bullshit when I was a club girl. People always thought I was a worthless whore because of my title. I won’t let that happen again, Nate! Never again.”
“She doesn’t look down on you, Lunar. All she wants is for you to like her.”
“Yeah.Nevergonna happen.”
“You should give her a chance, Lunar,” Tillie suggests.
Lunar raises her brow. “You really believe the story she was spinning you?”
“There was no story, Lunar, just genuine kindness. She was trying, I could tell. There’s more to her, more than we know, right, Nate?”
“I think there’s more that I don’t even know. She’s had a rough life. Being a star isn’t easy, and having this life thrust upon you at such a young age never turns out well. It’s amazing that she’s still okay, to be honest.”
“Two broken-winged birds soaring together,” Matt says, and we all look at him as he chuckles.
“How very poetic of you, Matthew,” Lunar says, then laughs.
“Yeah, I keep finding little doodles of doves drawn around the house. I figure it’s Nate’s thing at the moment… birds in particular.”
I smile and nod, thinking of the canvas in my studio that still needs perfecting and finishing for Ria.
“Quiet, please,” someone calls out, and we all turn to see the hotel room staging lit just like yesterday, with Danger and Ria sitting in the middle of the bed.
My heart leaps into my throat.
I haven’t had a chance to talk to anyone about what’s going to happen today, and the scene in front of me has me pretty uptight right now.
Chapter Fourteen
NATE
