Page 60 of Rebel Romeo

I examine Jill’s jeans and the cute backless green sweater she’s wearing that makes her auburn ringlets and green eyes pop. She’s even wearing makeup. Kohl lined eyes, mascara that highlights her long lashes and some lipstick.

Very unJill-like.

“Do you have a date with Curt after work?”

“Hm? Oh, no,” she states simply with eyes set straight ahead of us on the sidewalk.

Huh. Interesting.

“Then why so dressed up?”

She barely twitches to look at me before answering. “I just wanted to look nice.”

Uh-huh. Sure. “But your shift starts at 10, right?”

“Yes, but I was going to do a little writing after work. I have this new idea.”

“For a novel?”

She flicks me another look, her teeth gliding across her stained bottom lip. “A play, actually.”

“A play?!” I squeal and my footsteps halt. “Oh my God, can I read it?”

“When I have a decent draft, yes, but not a second sooner.” She rolls her eyes and tugs me along to keep walking. “So anyway, that’s where I’m off to. To write a new project.”

My eyes narrow on my best friend again. Something still isn’t adding up. “And this new project requires lipstick to write it?”

She slides me a quick look, her nose tipping higher into the air. “Do you have something against Miraculous Mauve by Revlon?”

“Not at all. Just haven’t seen you wear lipstick in ages. Everything okay with Curt?”

She shrugs noncommittally as we approach the stage door. “He’s… fine.”

“Uh-oh.” I stop walking and touch her arm. “Tell me. And fast. I’m due inside the theater in six minutes.”

She sighs. “I thought he would be this deep thinker, you know? Someone who writes their own music and lyrics…”

“But?”

“But it turns out the drummer writes most of the music for their band. And then the lyrics Curt writes are mostly ‘whoa’ and ‘yeah, baby, yeah.’ I guess I expected more from him. And then at his show the other night, these big boobed groupies were all over him. And he didn’t do anything I guess… but he didn’t exactly push them away either.”

Anger flares through me on her behalf. It’s not unexpected behavior from Curt, but when my best friend hurts, I hurt too. “I’m sorry, Jill.”

She sighs. “Me too. But after we broke up, I wasn’t even that sad.”

“That’s a good sign then, right?” I offer, encouragingly.

“Yeah, I guess. What are you going to do about…?” She lowers her voice to a whisper. “Addison.”

“I don’t know. Try to ignore her ass-kissing?”

“Want me to swing by after my shift with our leftover baked goods? Despite how we left things, I don’t think Curt will care. And it might offer some goodwill with you and the team?”

First the coffee last week and now baked goods? Jill’s becoming my cast bribe supplier and I am not complaining. But something tells me there’s a little more intention behind this personal delivery. Maybe a certain co-star of mine that wants to see her all dolled up?

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. Thanks Jill.”

She beams, proud of herself. “I have them now and then. Now, get in there before you’re late and Holden docks your pay again.”

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