Page 37 of Contentious

“Are you kidding? All my friends are green with envy that I get to work with you and Ty.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. I hope you tell them I’m nothing special.”

“I do not tell them that. One, because it’s not true, and two, why would I tell them that when they think it’s so cool that I work with you?”

“Good points.” She gave Julia’s arm a squeeze. “I’ll activate the alarm when I get outside.”

“Thank you. Have a good time.”

Julia was fully briefed on the situation with Marlon and knew to call the police if he showed up at the house, not that Cresley expected him to, but she wanted Julia prepared for all contingencies.

Cresley stepped outside and immediately armed the security system, which gave her peace of mind any time she had to leave Ty at home. While she waited for Marlene to arrive, she cast a wary glance at the cars parked on the street, identifying each as belonging to one of her neighbors.

She hated living this way and hoped that having a restraining order slapped on Marlon might keep him away, but she’d heard of too many cases where that didn’t do shit to deter someone who was determined to cause trouble.

Marlene pulled up in the two-seater silver BMW she’d bought as a gift to herself after surviving her divorce.

Cresley got in and leaned over the console to hug her friend.

“I’m unreasonably excited to go out tonight,” Marlene said. “What does that say about me?” She had silky red hair and gorgeous green eyes. They’d met the first week Cresley arrived in Los Angeles to chase the dream and had been close ever since.

“That we need to do this more often.”

“You said it, girlfriend.”

As Marlene drove them down the winding hill that led out of Laurel Canyon to Sunset Boulevard, she said, “Who was that handsome guy you were with at the premiere?”

“My lawyer’s brother, Carson Remington.”

“What’s the story there?”

“I’m in deep crush, but he told me last night it isn’t going to happen because he doesn’t do relationships. Ty and I deserve a guy who wants what we do, etcetera.”

“When was the last time a guy gave you the brush-off?”

“It’s been a minute, but it’s been much longer since I actually wanted one of them.”

“For real. I haven’t heard you say that in years.”

“And then I find one who wants nothing to do with me.”

“That’s hard to believe.”

“Let’s just say the words and actions aren’t matching up. When we got home last night, he went to kiss me on the cheek, and I moved just in time. All I’ve thought about today was that kiss.”

“Whoa. That hot, huh?”

“Hottest kiss of my entire life.”

“And you’ve kissed movie stars!”

“Right?”

Marlene never let her forget that she’d had sex with Flynn Godfrey and Hayden Roth, two of the hottest guys in Hollywood, but that was years ago, long before they were married to Natalie and Addie.

“I was reading the shit about the Remington parents today,” Marlene said. “That’s one crazy story.”

“And it’s a big part of the reason Carson and his siblings have sworn off love and commitment and all the crap that goes with it. Except for their oldest brother, that is, who’s broken all the family rules recently by falling for his girlfriend—and her kids. The rest of them are reeling over that.”