Page 75 of He's The Reason Why

“Fess up so I can make the phone call to the director.”

Blake turned away from the door and whispered harshly into the phone. “I havenothad sex with her.”

“Sure you haven’t. You know if you’re lying I’ll be able to tell. You have no poker face at all when it comes to sex.”

“Do I have to be here for this conversation?” He was glad Piper was on the phone. He had no idea how she’d take it if she heard him talking about that stupid deal but he didn’t want to find out.

“She’s getting way too close for there to be nothing happening. You let her make changes to the script.”

“She made a suggestion. I’m the one who changed it, and it’s a good move. You know it is.”

“Yes, but that’s not the point. Why is she making phone calls with your name in them? Why are you two there alone? You’re doing it, admit it.”

“There’s nothing to admit,” he hissed in a low whisper.

“I guess I have no choice but to believe you. For now.”

“Glad you agree.” He carefully avoided looking at Piper.

“When I get back, I want equal time alone with her. It’s only fair.”

“I don’t think so.” Blake glared at the air in front of him where Marshall would be standing if they were in the same room.

Piper raised an eyebrow at him.

He made a vague gesture toward the phone and mouthed, “Marshall.”

“Weren’t you supposed to be in the studio today?” Marshall asked. “I mean, thatwasthe reason I’m out here sweating my ass off with Marissa, right?”

Blake grimaced. This conversation was beyond excruciating with Piper so close. He thought about hanging up, but Marshall would take that as confirmation he’d already broken the deal, and he wasnotpaying a penalty for something he hadn’t even done.

Yet.

He rubbed the tense spot at the back of his neck. “Piper and I did the first scene so well they want to tweak the rest of the script. We’re down about a week while they get with the writer. Maybe two.”

There was silence on the other end, followed by Marshall’s bellowed laughter.

“I don’t think they have a final cast list yet, but we can estimate.” Piper cast him an irritated glance and left the room.

Blake thought seriously about hanging up and turning his phone off.

“Of course they’re rewriting the script. Why wouldn’t they? It’s not like they have a deadline or anything.” Marshall’s laughter died down a half groan, half sigh. “I wonder what else is going to go wrong because this can’t be the end of it. ”

“What happened?” Marissa said in the background.

“Oh nothing,” Marshall said. “There’s just some kind of cosmic joke going on and we’re the punchline.”

“Stop scaring her. It’s not that bad,” Blake told him.

“Reality check.” Marshall sobered the rest of the way. “We’re back to square zero on locations, and it’s going to be impossible to start photography with our lead actor tied up on another project, but hey, it’ll all work out right?”

“Yes. It will.” He sounded a lot more confident than he felt, he hoped.

Marshall’s resigned sigh was long and loud. “Seriously, what’s this mean for us? Do we need to delay too? Should I pack up now?”

“No. Let’s keep working it. We’ll be fine. Paul swears we’ll make the premiere. At any rate, I’ve kept my part of the deal. I doubt they pull the funding just becauseScorchedran a little late.”

“You hope,” Marshall said. “I already mortgaged the condo, and I really,reallydon’t want to ask my parents for more money.”

---