That’s a relief, to see a strategy from the producers. I’m grateful they aren’t letting the paparazzi and random fans dictate the story; they’re telling one as well—the story of the movie.
I’d like to ignore Eric Patrick’s new message, too, since one lands in the morning as I’m downing my coffee in the kitchen while Banks is busy on his phone. I read the message again, though, because I can’t really believe my ex is sending this:I’m thinking the space at Prohibition Spirit would be perf for my new fusion café. What do you think? Can you picture it?
I can hear Haven’s voice sayingdon’t feed a troll. But sometimes I don’t do the right thing. I fire off a quick reply.Nope.
I must be making a sour face, though, because as I pocket my phone and set the mug in the sink, Banks gives me a curious look. “Everything okay?”
“Just my ex,” I say, my tone making my feelings about him clear.
In a nanosecond, Banks goes from relaxed to ready to rumble. “What does he want?”
“Pretty sure he’s trying to get me to put in a good word so he can lease the restaurant that Esmeralda is leasing at Prohibition Spirit.”
He nods, eyes sayinggo on. I give Banks the brief overview of that failed romance. “And then he left for New York because Darling Springsjust wasn’t his scene.”
“Hypocrite.” It’s said with acid.
“Seems that way.”
“He’s insulting you too. And then buttering you up. Like he thinks you can’t figure out why he’s texting,” Banks bites out.
Hmm. He has a good point there. “But then again, if he asked directly, it’s not like I’d help.”
“Good,” Banks says, glancing around the empty kitchen before he steps closer. “You deserve someone who appreciates every single thing aboutyouand the place you love.”
My heart spins a little faster. Like it did when someone walked my dog again this morning. Then, my brain blurs into a hazy shade of summer as Banks loops an arm around my waist and drops a long, slow, passionate kiss to my lips.
When he breaks it, my head’s still a little dizzy, so I blame the endorphins for the next thing I say: “Tell me you’re possessive without telling me you’re possessive.”
He smirks. “I believe I just did.”
We take off for Haven’s hotel, so I can hang out with her in her room as she gets ready for her afternoon shoot.
“I’m so sorry,” Haven says as she’s putting lotion on her bare legs. “I know you don’t like your pic being taken.”
I wave a hand as I sit on the bed. “It’s fine.”
Really it is. The picture’s been taken. It’s out there. But one thing nags at me. “You really don’t mind that people are this obsessed with you?”
“It’s not me. It’s all about Chris,” she says, deflecting.
But that’s not entirely true. “Haven. You’re not a nobody.The Dating Gamesdid pretty well. Do I need to remind you?”
She smiles kindly, and I flash back to the night I met Banks at the San Francisco hotel, when that rando guy who looked like a douchey boss in a Christmas rom-com hit on me. He couldn’t quite place her at the time, but he was getting close to her name. That was one of the first times I was confused for her, but I bet it’ll happen more for me soon, and a million times more for her. Which means…the attention’s not at all only about New Chris. It’s about Haven too. “Remember that night in San Francisco when you found out about the film and had to leave early?”
“Of course,” she says as she caps the lotion and sets it down.
“I went to the bar to have a drink and to try to plan everything I’d need to do. To write a to-do list.”
“That’s very you,” she says as she twists her hair up into a knot.
“It is. Anyway, some guy hit on me then. He had this very slick look to him, like he expected women to fall at his feet. Anyway, he said something likeHaven’t I seen you in a movie?But he couldn’t figure out what,” I say, then shudder. “He was so sleazy. And that’s only happened to me once. It’s going to happen to you a lot,” I say. It’s a whole new world she’s stepping into with this movie. I worry about her.
“I try not to think about it. And just focus on the work,” she says.
“Right. But you never know what might happen. I mean, that guy at the bar was a creep, but what if I’d run into him in a parking lot? What if you run into a guy like that?”
“Hello! I was raised by Grandma too. I can throw a punch.”
