Page 40 of Wildest Dreams

I tell her about my weekend. The perfect dinner, my anxiety, drinks at Catty, Marina, seeing Mercuria at the Pig, the photos online, all of it. She sits while I talk, cross-legged and sipping her coffee.

“F that b. He doesn’t even like her. He likes you.”

“It’s not about her. I want to go back to my boring little life. This is more excitement than I’d signed up for.”

“No, you don’t need to go back to your boring little life. Even if you give up on Pierre, which I don’t think you should, you need to use this as a springboard to get out of your shell a little bit.” She nearly spills her coffee while holding her arms up to feign a dive. “I’ve always known you can have any guy you want, and the fact that Pierre f-ing Chatham wants you proves my point. There’s nothing wrong with being on your own if it makes you happy. Plenty of women live alone and are perfectly fulfilled. The thing is, it doesn’t make you happy, Kendall.”

I sigh and rub my face, then cross my arms and lean back in my chair. “I’m a mess.”

“The first step to healing is admitting you have a problem. Good job.”

“What do I do?”

“You know what I think, but you’re a grown woman. I can’t force you to keep seeing Pierre.”

I nod. “Thank you for listening. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“Anytime.”

For the rest of the day, I try to concentrate on working and actually manage to get a few things done. Patsy sits at the front desk, gossiping on her cell for most of the day. A few times she speaks in a low voice and walks outside. I know that means she’s receiving calls from people wanting updates on me and the movie star, which I have no doubt she diffuses as best she can. The whole town is talking and I just want to hide.

Throughout the day I get a few texts from Pierre, but I leave them unread. I can’t answer when I don’t know what to say, or even what I want. All I feel right now is confusion and guilt.

This is why I don’t date. It only brings stress and disappointment.

PIERRE

Days go by. I text and call Kendall multiple times but get no response. At what point do I cross the line from pathetic to creepy and stalker-ish?

We were in a good place when I left her apartment Sunday morning, so I know this has to be about the photos, but she should realize it’s all fake. She was there when the photos were taken. She knows the truth.

I can only guess that she doesn’t like the attention, which I understand. She’s not used to this. People post junk about me all the time. They always have. I know how to ignore it. She doesn’t.

I just wish she’d talk to me.

The days are growing warmer in Alabama as we settle into June, and a summer storm pushes back filming scheduled for the local baseball fields by one day. I spend that day catching up on email and talking to Harriett, who assures me that the end of this mini-romance is for the best and warns me not to let it distract me from the movie, but it’s hard. I haven’t liked a girl this much in…I don’t even remember. Probably never.

The silence is maddening.

* * *

On Thursday, I show up to the make-up trailer stationed at the local baseball park as the sun is beginning to peep over the horizon. The sky has a glorious orange glow from yesterday’s storm. Instead of being here, I wish I were enjoying the view from the back deck of Kendall’s rental house, watching the sky change above the glittering river. I’m falling in love with this place. And with Kendall.

By the time I emerge from the trailer, the local extras have filled the parking lot and cars are lined up on the curb going all the way down the road. The air is hot and sticky from yesterday’s rain, and I know I’m going to need multiple touch-ups from the makeup girl after I sweat everything off.

The extras are meeting with the assistant director near the central clubhouse. It’s a mix of adults and a few kids, some dressed in baseball uniforms. Most people are still and paying attention, except for one little towheaded boy who is running around screaming profanities. I only have a second to wonder where his parents are before I see his mom run from the other side of the crowd to grab him.

I immediately recognize Patsy and my heart leaps. Maybe Kendall will be here too.

Who am I kidding? She won’t even return my texts. She’s not going to show up where she knows I’ll not only be working, but working with Marina.

This is, however, a chance to talk to Patsy and find out what’s going on. If anyone knows, it’s her.

The AD breaks the meeting and everyone walks to their respective parts of the park. I start to follow Patsy, then feel a hand go down my back. I cringe, knowing what I’m going to see when I turn around.

Of course. It’s Marina.

“Belladonna wants us over there,” she says, pointing in the opposite direction.

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