Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
I glance over to where she’s gesturing and realize that Luca left the nightstand drawer open, and sure enough, there is a half-used box of condoms sitting there for all the world to see. I laugh—a thoroughly nervous sound—and shut the drawer. “I thought production left them all over. You don’t have any in your room?”
Hannah looks at me like I’ve grown a couple of heads. “Yes, but they’re in the bathroom emergency kit. They’re not in my nightstand.”
“Maybe those were left over from some preproduction nookie,” Riley says, though she seems to be thinking, that brain of hers working over the problem.
I’m worried she’s going to come to the proper conclusion. “That’s probably what happened. So is Shelby on a rampage still this morning?”
“She’s downstairs making flourless pancakes or something.” Hannah waves her off. “I’m still bothered by the fact that Patrick’s gone. Is there anything we can do about it?”
“I think production would definitely tell us to keep our fingers out of that particular pie,” Riley says with a shrug. “But Joe should know that he’s going to get a reputation eventually. It’s not like Patrick won’t talk.”
He won’t if Jessica gives him a big enough settlement to keep quiet. Then all of this will be mere whispers and hints of rumors. Like what Jessica had heard, what had led me down the wrong path.
Which makes me wonder how many other Patricks are out there who’ve taken a deal in exchange for their voice. I don’t blame them. Every person who has ever been put in this position has to judge for themselves what will make them safe again, what’s right for them. I understand that going against a Hollywood machine can seem dauntless.
“I think we should take a minute and give it some thought.” I only have to delay their going to the producers long enough for Jessica to set the wheels of justice in motion. It might be a couple of days, but she always moves swiftly and decisively. I honestly won’t be surprised if she doesn’t have him escorted off set tomorrow before they break everything down for the move to Ralavia. “We’ve got a big night tonight. Final four.”
Hannah reaches for Riley’s hand. “I hope and pray he cuts Shelby.”
Riley shakes her head, pulling Hannah’s hand against her heart. “It’s going to be me or Ashley F. Ashley’s right. She’s the only big drama left. You’re the ingénue. Anika is the dark horse. So that leaves one ambitious, girl-next-door slot, and one of us is going home before the big show.”
I hate that she’s compared us to a horse race, but she’s not exactly wrong. “It could be any one of us. The king has a mind of his own. I know the producers put some bugs in his ear, but he won’t do anything he doesn’t want to do.”
“Yeah, but I think he’ll keep Shelby because he’s only truly into one of us.” Riley sighs and releases Hannah’s hand. “I think he made his decision early on, and the rest of us didn’t have a shot. But I also understand how he could have fallen for her so easily. She’s the best woman in the house.”
Hannah shakes her head, obviously confused. “Who are you talking about? Ashley?”
“I think she’s talking about you.” The way Riley’s looking at Hannah makes me think maybe Emma was right.
“Me? I don’t think Reg is in love with me,” Hannah says.
“I guess you’re not watching him carefully enough.” Riley stands and moves toward the door. “I should go and pack. Need to be ready for tonight.”
She walks out with the crisp step of an emotional woman. She’s upset at the prospect of her fifty-fifty shot at making it to Ralavia. I agree with her on that. Luca will likely keep Shelby and Hannah around for exactly those reasons. But I also don’t think Riley’s upset at the prospect of losing the king.
I kind of think she is worried about losing Hannah.
Hannah stands up, watching her friend as she disappears down the hall. “What was that about?”
“I think she’s worried she might not see you again after tonight,” I explain.
Hannah blanches at the thought. “That’s not true. We’re best friends. I’ve never had a friend like Riley. I plan on seeing her every chance I get.”
“But you could be in a foreign country,” I point out. “Or back home. She’ll be in Los Angeles. Relationships made on a set like this can be intense, but the real world comes back in and life settles down eventually. That’s what Riley’s worried about.”
“Well, I don’t think she has to worry about me marrying Reg.” Hannah puts a hand on her hip and glances back to the nightstand. “I know I can be naïve, but I seem to be the only one here willing to tell the truth. Shelby is the one who put out the story that he’s already picked me. She did it to mess with Tiara Kate. But she knows the truth the same as me. You know he’s crazy about you, right? He watches you all the time. When we’re not filming he asks me about the house, but it’s always just a way to get around to talking about you.”