“Helloooo,” Luna said, blond hair bouncing. “You look great! Are those last night’s clothes?”
Emma tugged her into the corner, out of the way of the crew and the nosy townsfolk. It wouldn’t help if there were any vampires or werewolves around, but Emma hoped that her reputation was enough to make them butt out of her private conversations.
“Do me a favor and shush,” Emma told her. “Why are you here?”
“What, I can’t drop by the most exciting thing that’s happening all winter?” Luna fluttered her eyelashes. She looked…way too knowing, Emma realized. Suspiciously knowing.
“Luna,” Emma said gravely. “What did you do?”
Luna linked her hands together under her chin. “Whatever do you mean?”
Emma tugged her hands back down. “Luna!”
Luna laughed. “Nothing! I just pointed him in Heath’s direction. Who knew the guy could cook as well as bake? Did you like the risotto?”
“It was fine.” Emma adjusted her handbag strap, listening to the leftover containers clack together. “You’re an asshole.”
“You love it,” Luna said breezily, turning to watch the crew set up.
The makeup artists had gotten to Arthur, brushing out the mane he’d avoided during this morning’s shower as they led him out back to the wardrobe. Emma prickled. She could never do that; she hated strangers touching her. But he seemed so calm, letting them peel his lips back to examine his fangs as the door swung shut behind them.
Luna leaned in, her glossy hair tickling Emma’s chin. “Is he very different than when you knew him?”
Emma snorted, folding her arms. “No. Same annoying, self-obsessed chimera.”
“Sure.” Luna waved a dismissive hand. “But he’s got layers, right? You wouldn’t have dated him otherwise.”
Emma didn’t reply. Sometimes she thought she’d imagined it all: the sweet moments, the times when he dropped his mask and was just…Arthur. No bells and whistles, no flashy lights. The deep emotions he pretended not to have finally seeping through.
He’d stopped bringing up LA. She thought he was happy with their life together. Then he ambushed her on Christmas Eve to tell her he had an audition in the New Year and he wanted her to come with him. But when it became clear that she wouldn’t, he just…stopped begging. His face had closed off. No tears, no regret. Just a mild smile.
Maybe it’s better this way. You won’t be holding me back anymore.
Then he’d left and never looked back. He hadn’t called. Granted, she had screamed at him not to, but he would’ve if he wanted. The next time she saw him, it was a movie poster they hung up in the movie theater. This was before they started showing more than two movies a year, so Emma was forced to look at his stupid face every day as she drove to work for six goddamnmonths. Then again when his next movie came out, and the next. His smug smile blared down at her from the poster, all charm and fangs. Looking at some girl like she was the whole world.
“He’s a good actor,” Emma said flatly.
“Well.” Luna nudged her. It wasn’t hard, but it was enough to make Emma grit her teeth. Luna was a friend, but they weren’tthatclose.
Luna continued, “I’m just glad you two—”
“Stop,” Emma snapped. “I know you get off on gossip, but get your nose out of my personal life. Okay?”
Luna blinked, surprised. Emma hadn’t snapped at her since the day they’d first met, when Luna playfully batted her arm one too many times.
“Ooookay,” Luna said quietly. “Noted.”
Emma was still scowling when Arthur came out of the back room, dressed in an entirely different suit, an apron tied around his waist. He paused to let a makeup artist run one last comb through his mane, then headed over to his mark. His costar—who Emma belatedly learned was called Jennifer, a Hollywood nepo baby who rose to fame through her famous director dad—wiggled her fingers at him as they took their places behind the counter.
A hush fell over the café.
“Okay,” Rusty called. “Everybody ready? Three. Two. One. And…action!”
Daisy started fake-taking an order at the till. Hazel bustled around, fake-making a coffee. Behind them, the camera crew zoomed in on Jennifer and Arthur as they stacked mugs onto a shelf.
The café was quiet enough for Emma to hear every word.
“Pretty cramped behind here,” Arthur said. “You don’t get uncomfortable?”
