Page 56 of Off Script

The woman let out a relieved sigh, and launched into her real reason for approaching.

“Oh, well, I’m a big fan. My name is Casey. And, like, I know this might be out of line but I really love you and Tristan. I think it’s so romantic how you guys found each other despite all the trash people are saying. And I just hope it isn’t true.”

“That what isn’t true?” Jada kept her voice even. There was no way this girl had found out her relationship with Tristan was fake.

“That you two might be breaking up. It’s all overSip That Tea.”

Okay, now Jada’s attempts to stay calm nearly fell apart. What the hell was wrong with that stupid website? Covering her growing panic, she offered the girl a reassuring smile.

“Thanks for your concern, but Tristan and I are fine. I promise.”

Denying the rumor wasn’t enough to get Casey to leave, though. She continued to monopolize Jada for ten more minutes about how she wanted to be an actress, too, how Angela was definitely jealous of Jada and Tristan, could she get a picture with her?, etc., etc. When Jada managed to break away from Casey, her whole mind screamed to checkSip That Tea.

A quick glance online proved Casey right. Thinking back to the cast and crew ofLove Locket, the top suspect would be Angela potentially stirring up trouble. But if it had been her, she’d have given a fake name to the reporters, so there was no use following that trail. It really was so trashy for them to take some rando’s word without contacting Jada or Tristan’s camps to confirm. Then again, since those attention hogs had relished posting the video Mikayla sent, obviously they’d have no qualms about repeating inaccurate allegations from someone else.

Wondering if Tristan had heard about the false story, Jada debated calling him. Technically, she was on vacation, and that included a break from obsessing over him. She still wasn’t sure exactly what she felt for him, and the uncertainty continued to eat away at her. But in the end, he had been right about them losing momentum, and now the fate of their fake arrangement was at stake. Sensing she was about to receive an earful, Jada stepped away from the party and made the call anyway. Tristan picked up on the second ring.

“Jada, to what do I owe this honor?”

Yep. He knew about the article. His voice held a bristling edge at finally hearing from her.

“Nothing much. Just wanted to see if you’d been keeping up on the news about us.”

“Oh, you mean our breakup?”

“Okay, you don’t have to exaggerate.”

“I mean, it’s not that much of an exaggeration. Since I’m at home, all lonesome, while you gallivant through the desert. Can you bring back some shrooms or acid after you’re done finding yourself?”

“That’s not fair,” Jada said, inwardly stung. Deep down, she had been looking at this getaway as a time to figure stuff out, professionally and romantically. The fact Tristan had been able to recognize that right away made her feel exposed.

“This is actually a very important networking opportunity. For my career. You know, the whole thing you said you would help me with. Besides, I doubt you’re that lonely.”

“You seriously believe I’m back with Angela?”

“No, but quite frankly, I don’t know what you two are getting up to now that I’m not around anymore.”

Damn it! That was not what she meant to say, but slipping back into their fighting was easier than she anticipated.

“Mierda!” Tristan muttered under his breath. “I don’t deserve this, Jada. You’re off doing whatever you want, and I’ve done nothing wrong.”

This time Jada didn’t reply, because he was right.

“If you’re feeling guilty, that’s your problem. Just let me know when you’re back in town. Maybe by then you’ll be brave enough to resolve this face to face,” Tristan challenged.

Without another word, he hung up. Jada stared at her now lifeless cell phone, torn over what to do. A part of her wanted to call Tristan back and defend herself. Another part of her wanted to rush home and prove she was brave enough to deal with everything. The more reasonable side of her acknowledged that cooler heads needed to prevail. Playing phone tag to keep arguing would be stupid, and leaving even more so. Aside from her ambitions, she’d come to Palm Springs to support Alia. So that was what she would do. Wrapping herself back up in schmooze mode, Jada returned to the party.

18

Unlike Jada, Tristan didn’t have the luxury of sunbathing in the desert that weekend. On Sunday, instead of God’s day of rest, he wound up in bed next to Angela. The circumstances weren’t due to one of his typical lapses in judgment, so at least that had to count for something. Filming forLove Locketwas coming to an end, but of course, the film wouldn’t be complete without viewers getting an eyeful of the main characters’ lovemaking. They’d already shot some earlier scenes in the apartment and had since moved on to the bedroom.

The movie was rated PG-13, so the finished edit of the love scene wouldn’t be extremely graphic. That didn’t make hooking up with a former lover on camera any less awkward, especially when Tristan was 90 percent sure Angela wasSip That Tea’s mole. Upon ruminating on the situation, spreading the rumors and the video fit Angela’s vindictive side perfectly. Also, she and the Tea Twins had grown up as part of Hollywood’s elite families. It wasn’t impossible for them to be on friendly terms. Doug had told Tristan to let the article and his hypothesis go, assuring him the whole thing would be obsolete once Jada was back and they patched things up. Yet Tristan couldn’t shake his suspicions.

While Ren and Tim might be worrying about mood lighting and aesthetics, Tristan couldn’t help side-eying his co-star for any hints of subterfuge. Angela steadfastly ignored him, fiddling with the ends of her hair, obviously not satisfied with the job the team had done. Outfitted in a lacy pink bra and skimpier underwear below the sheets, she looked like every man’s dream. Tristan could see tons of people wanting to be in his place. And certainly, that paired with his bare chest, would have audiences full-on shipping them. The reality was so different from what people would see on-screen. Rather than falling into the part of the smitten Diego, Tristan calculated how to trick Angela into confessing.

“What are you staring at, Tristan?” Angela asked. She hadn’t looked up from her strands of hair but Tristan’s intense scrutiny must have been palpable.

“Nothing, dear,” Tristan replied smoothly. “Just wondering what you’re up to these days.”

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