Page 42 of Off Script

“Yeah, the only thing that would make this better is if this was a topless beach.”

For once, Jada didn’t glare at him as she usually did. Yes, she peeked over her shades long enough to cut her eyes at him, but her lips tilted into a begrudging grin, drawing Tristan’s gaze to the sand sticking stubbornly to her cheek. He brushed the gritty flecks away without thinking. Jada didn’t flinch back with an accusatory remark, but instead closed her eyes peacefully at the feel of his fingers brushing her skin. Seeing that sense of release on her face, Tristan found himself moving forward, almost close enough to graze his lips against her—

“Excuse me,” a young voice called from above them. A teenage girl looked down at them with excitement as she bounced on her toes.

“You’re Tristan Maxwell, right? And Jada Berklee?”

“Yes, that’s us,” Jada said, her voice cautious yet polite. That was the way you had to approach these fans until you found out whether they were enthusiastic or crazy.

“I know it’s kind of random, and you probably don’t want to, but would you take a picture with me?” Her words came out in a rush as she lifted her smartphone.

“Of course.” Jada sat up straighter before Tristan even had time to fully process the girl’s request. His mind foggily remained on the surreal moment between them. Meanwhile, Jada brushed the remaining sand on her body off as if she could just as skillfully shake off any lingering intimacy. All for a photo op.

The girl needed no further invitation. She plopped down on the beach, squeezing between them. Tristan silently mourned the loss of Jada’s proximity but kept his fan meet and greet smile intact.

“You two are such a cute couple. I’m glad you’re together,” the girl rambled as she pulled up her camera app.

Weweretogether,Tristan thought resentfully, but he put on his winning charisma.

“I am too.” He winked at Jada. “And we’d love to take a picture with you.”

Of course, “a picture” turned into three or four as the girl got carried away with talking to them. When she left, Tristan let out a sigh of relief and looked at Jada.

“You know how it is.” She laughed.

“Doesn’t make it any less intrusive.”

“Isn’t it good that she took the picture? I’m sure she’ll post it on Instagram or something. In addition to the people who snapped shots of us at Pink’s, this will all help sell our story, right?”

Tristan didn’t speak for a moment, his jaw clenched as he ground his teeth in frustration. He was considering going for it, kissing Jada, and she was thinking of the spotlight and their potential strategy. But then again, he shouldn’t be surprised. That was the whole purpose of them being out together. Nevertheless, the way she could swiftly leave their fun in the sun behind for business gnawed at him.

“Right. It’s good. Definitely,” he said in a clipped tone.

Copying her move, he lay back on his towel and pulled his sunglasses down over his eyes. He wouldn’t let Jada see how truly conflicted he was. If she wanted to play the role of a carefree amnesiac, fine. He could too.

14

Mikayla was studying Jada as she worked on making breakfast. There was a knowing gleam in her eyes that set Jada on edge. Mikayla was going to ask about her and Tristan. Jada could feel it in her gut, but she wanted to avoid having that conversation for as long as possible. She whistled cheerfully as she prepared scrambled eggs for her and her cousin.

“I heard it might rain today. I hope that doesn’t slow us down getting to work.” Jada rambled to stop Mikayla from talking.

After her beach outing with Tristan, she’d come home to find an email and a voice mail from Ren’s assistant. Things had been smoothed over with Mr. Collins and their previous so-called safety risks had been brought “up to code.” As such, they were headed back to the studio lot to shoot the time travel scenes they hadn’t been able to film. Even knowing she hadn’t lost her job didn’t stop Jada’s nerves about going back into production. Angela would be out for blood, and she had no idea how that would affect the film.

“Anyway, hopefully today will be fun. The VFX process is so interesting,” Jada went on as she finished up the eggs.

Sliding them onto their plates, she placed them next to servings of fresh strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi.

“Ta-da!” she said as she set the decorative breakfast on the table in front of Mikayla.

“Mhmm.” Her cousin hummed appreciatively, took a sip of her coffee, and then stared into Jada’s soul.

“You done with the bullshit now?”

Sighing, Jada sank into her chair, grabbed her fork, and started picking at her food.

“What do you want to know?”

“I want to know why you came home singing like a frickin’ tan Disney princess yesterday. You were a shade darker and way happier than normal. I know it has to do with Tristan, and I need to know why ASAP.”

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