Page 6 of Undone By The Mountain Daddies

“Maybe.” I adjust my sunglasses, making sure they’re keeping me disguised. “I definitely miss people not making my failed love life the topic of every conversation.” I push back hard against the booth. “I wish I could teach these assholes a lesson.”

Jules laughs, ordering us lattes when the server comes around. “Men secretly love the drama of showbiz even more than women.”

I think about that. Women want to know about the products I use on my hair. Men only care about the type of panties I’m wearing or if I’m wearing any at all. They either make suggestions about getting into them or look at me like they’re imagining doing it.

“Would it be so bad to take a break?” I ask.

“Not at all,” says Jules. “You deserve a break. Take a kickass vacation as soon as you’re done filming the sequel.”

My stomach twists in a knot. I have another movie to film with Holden while I continue to attempt to get over him. Ironically, I’ll actually be getting under him again several times, according to the script.

“There is absolutely no way I can do all of that again with him. I barely managed last time. I get that running away would be the wrong thing to do, but I just don’t know how I’m going to do it.”

Two lines appear between Jules’s brows, concern written all over her. “You’re contractually obligated to be in this movie, Sienna. You’ll never hear the end of it if you decide to drop out.”

“People spreading rumors about me being unstable is better than people actually seeing me unstable.”

Our lattes arrive, and I take a little sip of mine, waiting for Jules’s response.

She takes a sip, her chocolate brown eyes never leaving mine. “I understand this year has been tough for you, and I feel terrible that I couldn’t get approval for you to fly home in time for your grandmother’s funeral⁠—”

“That’s not your fault,” I say. “What happened with Grammy is nobody’s fault.”

“But you seem to think it was yours.” Jules deepens her stare. “Sienna, you can’t blame yourself for something that was out of your control.”

I bite my lip. You can’t control death, but you can control how you choose to spend the days leading up to it.

I sip my latte and wait for the caffeine to rush over me and make me feel better, but it isn’t working. The only thing that makes me feel lighter right now is the idea of taking a break from all this.

“I think I’ll book myself in for a spa retreat this weekend in the mountains.”

Jules watches me, saying nothing.

“Just for a couple of days. I need to get out of here and catch my breath.”

“Alright,” she says, “as long as you’re back first thing Monday morning for the costume design meeting.”

“I’ll be back, don’t worry.”

Jules reaches over the table and gives my hand a squeeze. “Clear your head, get some rest. I want you back in LA refreshed and ready to take on whatever next week throws at you. Filming for the sequel starts in thirty-four days.”

Ugh. Fuck. I didn’t need to know that.

Jules raises her eyebrows. “Have you even started to learn your lines yet?”

“Nope.” I grimace. “And according to the woman on the street who was totally bashing my acting skills ten minutes ago, I’m way overpaid.”

“You’re Sienna Lane,” Jules reminds me. “You busted your ass to get to where you are. You deserve the millions, but most importantly, you deserve to be happy without being dragged down by a loser like Holden Gray.” Jules spits out his name, and that makes me feel better. “Trust me, in another month, he’ll be on the hunt for his next victim.”

“I don’t know. Holden never goes so far as to propose. Maybe he’s actually serious about this one.”

“Then let’s hope Valentina sees the truth and dumps his ass. The one thing that man could use is a bruised ego.”

Jules finishes her coffee and rises from her seat. “Okay. I have places to be and other glamorous Hollywood stars to see. Focus on relaxing. Treat yourself to a massage or something, and if there are any decent men up there in the mountains, flirt a little, enjoy yourself, girl.”

Jules tosses her hair over her shoulder. “I’ll see you first thing Monday before that meeting.”

I give her a big hug. “I’ll see you soon.”