Page 57

Being a Sunday, the traffic wasn’t too thick yet. Tonight would be a different story. Press, sightseers and autograph hounds, security guards and cops, and anyone who was anybody would be crammed onto Hollywood Boulevard. The street was probably already closed off with the red carpet being rolled out that very moment, if it hadn’t been laid even earlier.

But Lissa knew one person who wouldn’t be there: Tessa.

She pulled up to the curb outside the historic mansion, hopped out of her tiny sports car, and buzzed the call box on the front gate.

“Hi, Lissa,” Trevon’s deep voice called out from the box.

She smiled into the camera—an act she was used to. In the cutesy voice that made her sound Little, she said, “Hi, Uncle Trevon! May I please talk with Tessa?”

“I’ll ask her if she’s up for visitors,” Trevon replied before the speaker fell silent after one final click.

Lissa had to act here, just like she was on set.

Stay happy. Don’t let them see your rage.

But who the hell did Trevon think he was? Who did Tessa think she was? Up for visitors? Who would turn down Lissa Keller?

Thankfully, it wasn’t Tessa. A moment later, the door opened and she came down the walkway and to the black iron gate, opening it. “You want to come inside?”

“No, thank you,” Lissa said.

Okay, now look thoughtful. You really hate giving her this news. But woman-to-woman, you owe it to her.

“Look, I hate doing this. But… I just wanted you to know that… well, Damon and I are back together.”

Hurt registered in Tessa’s eyes. For a moment, Lissa thought the woman might cry.

She kind of hoped she did.

It was what she deserved for fucking her man! Bitch better go back to whatever janky-ass town she came from and stop playing make-believe in a town she didn’t belong in.

“Oh.”

Lissa gave her a few minutes.

I’m just the thoughtful, understanding frenemy giving some bad news.

“He hates doing things like this, so I told him I’d drop by and let you know. He’s sorry. But it’s Oscar day. You know how it is. Super busy.”

Of course she doesn’t know how it is, Lissa thought, suppressing a grin. And she never would. Hollywood wasn’t her world.

It was Lissa’s. And Damon’s. And people like them.

“Well, thank you… for letting me know.”

The quiver in her voice was slight but it was there. She was a strong one, but she’d cry the moment Lissa left.

“Sorry about this. Tessa, I hope you know I never wanted any of this. I… hope we can still be friends. I’d love to see you around the nursery and stuff.”

Tessa sniffled. The waterworks would be starting soon!

“Sure,” she simply said.

There was no conviction in it, though. She’d make a lousy actress.

“Bye,” Lissa said.

She waved thoughtfully, hopped back in her car, and sped off.