Page 81 of Off Script

“Jada, good news. You got the part.”

“For Logan’s movie?” she squealed.

“Well, since you haven’t had any other major auditions lined up, then yes, Logan’s movie.”

“Oh wow! This is great. Thanks for letting me know, Avery.”

“Don’t thank me, thank Tristan. Logan wants you two as the leads. Something about how great your chemistry was and yadda, yadda. Everyone agrees it’s a good media tactic to have you both in it. I’ll send over more details later.”

“Great. I—”

“And don’t think I forgot you hung up on me last time.” Avery cut Jada off. “So inappropriate.”

Proving her own lack of propriety, Avery hung up before Jada could reply. But her snippy dismissal didn’t faze Jada.

“I got the part!” she exclaimed to Mikayla.

After they jumped up and down in celebration, Jada whipped out her phone again.

“I have to tell Tristan!”

“Ahem. Speaking of . . .” Mikayla brought them back to their earlier topic.

“It’s complicated.”

“As in?”

“As in we’re in cahoots in this whole big plot together, and we’ve both got baggage and secrets . . . and I might be falling in love with him,” Jada blurted.

“Damn,” Mikayla said.

“Exactly.”

“Well, maybe you two will find a way to be together.Reallytogether.” Mikayla tried again.

“Kayla, can we drop it, please? I don’t want to get my hopes up more than they already are,” Jada confessed.

Mikayla relented sadly, and Jada texted Tristan to inform him of the news. Thrilled, he insisted they go out to dinner. While she was anxious about seeing him when her feelings were so unsettled, she agreed anyway, unable to resist him.

Around seven they met up at a local Italian hot spot. The second she saw Tristan waiting for her outside, her heart did that disturbing little flutter she was beginning to dread.

“Reina, congratulations!” he said, kissing her thoroughly, perfectly, despite the flashing bulbs of the paparazzi outside. Or was it because of them? God, she hated thinking about this! Especially when it ruined a good kiss.

Tristan didn’t sense her hesitance. Oblivious, he held her hand as they walked inside. He continued to hold on to her until they made it to their seats. His newfound affection drove her crazy. She wasn’t used to the PDA, and especially not the way it made her feel.

After they ordered, Tristan returned his full attention to her.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m fucking excited. We did it, Jada!”

“Yes, we did. Together,” Jada said, her poor, pitiful heart glowing at his smile.

“I’m so glad I was able to fulfill my promise to you. Things will only get better from here on out, I swear.”

“I know they will,” Jada lied to them both.

“Soon, you’ll be a superstar, and you won’t even need me. This whole thing will be over.”

Damn. That hurt. The jackass didn’t seem to notice her stung expression. Instead, he clinked glasses with her in a toast.

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