"Hey, babe! So glad to see you!" Blair wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me close for a warm hug and kiss on my cheek. "How's the movie?"
"Great! We've already shot all city scenes and are putting the finishing touches on the cabin set this week. We start shooting those scenes next week. Oh, and Grant took me to Honey Pine Farms last week, and yesterday, they approved our location shoot!"
Before Blair can respond, Jess pipes up.
"Speaking of cabins and Grant…a little birdy told me that you are staying in his guest house?"
"What?" Blair's eyes go wide. "Why would you be staying with Grant?"
"Who told you that?"
I swear, Jess knows everything. She probably knows when I need to go to the bathroom even before I do.
"Lucas."
"Lucas? Why would Lucas tell you that?"
"So, it is true? You're staying in Grant's guest house? Why? You know you can stay with us any time. I mean, unless there's a reason you are at Grant's?" Blair is rambling and also has one eyebrow raised in question.
"Lucas did a courtesy call to key press to tamper down the gossip. Guess someone spotted you there and threatened to run with it, but I have a hard time listening to Lucas, so Ituned out the details," Jess says as she picks through the box of goodies from Porto's sitting on the table in front of her. "That man's voice is like nails on a chalkboard. He makes me wish I had more middle fingers." She seems to be talking more to herself now than us.
I wonder if Grant knows that people are already talking about me staying there. The word is out.
"Oh, but I'm sorry to hear about your house. That sucks big time. No bueno."
"What happened to your house?" Stella chimes in as she carries over a tray of coffee, drinks, and water for all of us.
I sigh before I dive into the cluster that is my life and tell her, "I had a flood at the house."
"Oh, gosh, Sophia! Are you ok?" Blair comes up to wrap her arms around me and help me sit down like I'm too fragile to walk.
"I'm fine. I wasn't there when it happened. Can't even imagine what would have happened if I had been there. Basically, my whole second floor is currently hanging out in my kitchen."
I give the girls the scoop on what I know so far, how Grant was with me when I found out and was a hero, swooping in and saving the day.
In typical fashion, Stella swoons over the idea that Grant, Hollywood's hottest bachelor, is playing exactly the type of role she has created for him in her head. Blair has gone into planning and concerned-mother mode. She's going to make a great mom one day, by the way. And Jess is kicked back, clinging to every word and interaction like a hawk. Her journalism is showing.
As for me, I'm keeping my mouth shut.
I like Jess. Really. The more time I spend with her, the more I think we could be really good friends, but right now, because of her job, she's the enemy. I know that sounds harsh, but I'm an Oscar-winning actress who's producing and starring in a movie that's been written by Oscar-winning and fan-favorite movie icon Edie Lang. I'm single, young, and staying in the guest house of this town's favorite hot guy—who's also single. Yeah, my lips are sealed right now.
"How long will you stay there?" Jess asks.
"Just a few more days. Remediation is done, and they are just stabilizing the second floor so they can remodel. I'm hoping they let me in by this weekend."
"There's no way you're getting back into that house anytime soon," Jess says.
"Well, maybe Grant will let her stay longer," Stella sweetly chimes in.
"I'm sure he will." Jess laughs, but she's not trying to be mean. It just puts me a little on edge.
"Oh, there's no way I would impose that long on Grant. If it takes much longer, I'll see if there is room at The Oakwood, or maybe there's an Airbnb near the studio I can find for a temporary stay."
"Soph, stay with us. You know we have room!"
I love Blair. I love Blair with my brother even more. But Grant is right. There is no way I'm staying with them when they are still in the honeymoon period of their relationship. As much as I love them both, there is no need to witness any of that love. I shiver at the thought.
"Let's just see what I find out. The good news is there are lots of options."
