Page 25 of (Not So) Famous in Paradise

“Both. Why would I have to choose between you? That’s ridiculous.” I squeeze my temples, but my headache is only getting worse.

“Ridiculous? That’s what you think I am?” Carly glares, but her eyes pool with tears that threaten to rip out my heart.

“That’s not what I meant,” I say gently, and she lets me pull her into my arms. “I’ve committed to be on the show, and you said it yourself, the publicity will be good for both of us. But even if that weren’t true, choosing between you two isn’t an option. I can care about her as a friend and love you at the same time.”

“You love me?” She tips her head up.

I nod and kiss her forehead. I’ve always used the wordloveeasily, but I know not everyone does.

“I love you too.” Carly kisses me hard, then pulls away, smiling. “I’ve got an idea. Maybe the best way for people to see you and Georgia aren’t together is for me to go on the show, or at least be in some of her posts.”

Her smile grows expectantly, and I don’t know how to tell her no. One of Georgia’s biggest fears about the show is that people will put pressure on her to be on it, marketing their own businesses and products. She doesn’t want to put anything on the show that she can’t honestly endorse, otherwise she’ll only devalue her own brand. Not only that, but if she lets someone she doesn’t know make an appearance, other people will pressure her to let them be on it too.

“It’s a good idea,” I say hesitantly. “But Georgia has to okay everything with the producers, and I doubt they’ll say yes. They’re very protective of her brand.”

Carly pushes away from me. There are no tears in her eyes anymore, just anger. “If you really love me, then you’ll get me on the show so people know I’m your girlfriend, not Georgia.”

“Come on, Carly. You know I can’t do that, but you know how I feel about you.” I try to move in again, but she stands.

“I thought I did, but now I’m not so sure.” She grabs her phone and tucks it in her back pocket, then sets her mouth in the same firm line she greeted me with. “If she keeps posting pictures like this to her account, Zach, I’m done. I’m not going to be the girlfriend on the side while Georgia gets all your attention and makes the world think you two are a thing.”

“I told you it wasn’t her who posted the pictures.” I rise, but that prompts Carly to head for the door. “Carly, wait…”

She keeps walking, and I follow, but I had no idea she could move this fast.

“I’m serious, Zach. I can be your girlfriend in real life, or Georgia can be your on-screen girlfriend or friend, or whatever, but you can’t have both.” She doesn’t even look back to say it. Her blonde hair bounces up and down as she rushes to the door.

All I can do is watch her retreat. I’m too shocked to do anything else.

“Carly, can we just talk about this for a minute?” I say as she reaches the door.

She pauses only long enough to glance over her shoulder at me. “I’ve already said everything I need to say. It’s your move next.”

Then she opens the door and is half-way to her car before I make it to the doorway. There’s no stopping her as she climbs into her car and slams the door shut. All I can do is watch as her taillights disappear down the road and wonder what to do next.

The cold air forces me back inside. I return to the couch and drop my head in my hands. Because what am I supposed to do here? How am I supposed to tell Georgia I can’t be on her Instagram because my girlfriend won’t let me? And if I don’t say anything to Georgia, how am I supposed to give up the woman I’m falling in love with for my best friend? What kind of choice is that?

I rub my temples between my middle finger and thumb. The headache has spread from the bridge of my nose and across my brows.

If Mom still had her memory, I’d talk to her. She always had the best advice before the early onset of an aggressive form of Alzheimer’s. Now sometimes she doesn’t even remember who I am. Even with my short hair, I have to remind her I’m Zach, not Adam.

Georgia would be my other option, but obviously I can’t talk to her.

Which means I have to work out this problem on my own. I don’t know how, but I’ve got to, because I’m not giving up Carly or letting Georgia down.

Chapter 9

Georgia

After my follower response last week, Ike and Teri blocked out different conversations for Zach and me to have today, starting with the one where I hand Zach coffee in the early morning light outside the house. The crew is already set up, I picked up the coffee from Britta on my way here, and the light is perfect.

The only thing missing?

Zach.

The rest of us are hanging out in the trailer. It’s warmer in here than it is in the house. Ike paces the small space, checking his watch every thirty-five seconds. Nick leans against the door, camera at the ready while he chews his thumbnail. Teri keeps opening her laptop and making changes to today’s script, and if Amber touches my makeup one more time, I’m going to lose it.

The only person who’s not stressed about our late start is Gracyn, who’s telling Stella about her horse. We all know we’ve got a long day ahead of us, but we can’t start without Zach. So, we wait.

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