Page 13 of The Fake Script

“You have to do it,” Hayley pleads, placing both hands on my shoulders the moment she bursts through the front door.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at Max’s?”

“I came back. This is more important.” She glances at the corridor. Then, she drags me to the couch.

“What is this about? What are you doing? Leave me alone,” I grumble. But Hayley’s too strong for me, and I can’t fight her.

“The consulting job for the movie, of course,” she says, sitting me down on the couch.

“I don’t—”

“You have to,” Alice chimes in, coming from her room. She perches herself on the coffee table in front of me. “For the fans.”

Hayley bobs her pink pixie cut. “For the story.”

“For the art,” Alice adds.

“You’ve both lost your minds,” I groan, trying to get up, but Hayley keeps me seated. Dang it. This girl is so strong, I have no chance against her.

“You always say you hate movie adaptations because they butcher the story,” Alice says, a hand on her hip. “Well, these guys are trying to do it right.”

“Come on,” Hayley says, touching my arm. “It’s not just about you. We’re talking millions of fellow readers. You have to help.”

“Thenyoudo it.” Forcing a smile, I lean into the couch. If it’s so important to them, they can take it on. Why do I have to be the one to talk shop with Auston? The last thing I want is to spend time with the guy who broke my heart and made me swear off real men for life.

“They didn’t askus,” Hayley says. “Plus, we’re both leaving soon.”

I swallow hard at the reminder. I will be alone for two whole weeks, with the exception of Mr. Darcy, but he rarely comes out of the bookstore.

Alice nods. “And we’ll never be as blunt as you.”

“Hold on.” Hayley lifts her hands. “Are you refusing because you still have feelings for Auston? Because in that case, I totally agree with you. You shouldn’t do it.”

“Oh, right.” Alice grimaces. “I kind of forgot that detail.”

I huff out a loud breath. “I don’t have feelings for Auston! How many times do I have to tell you that?”

“Then why refuse?” Hayley asks, arching an eyebrow. “You were born for this gig.”

“Yes. You’ll be amazing,” Alice adds, her big eyes glowing as she takes a seat next to me. “And so will the movie.”

I heave a sigh, averting my gaze. I hate these two. It’s not fair, them cornering me like this. Of course I want the movie to be great. I love this story, and it’s about time the movie industry does justice to one of my favorite books.

“Please, Emz,” Alice says, taking my hands. “Do it for us.”

I turn around and quickly realize I shouldn’t have. No one can resist Alice’s puppy-dog eyes. Crap.

“Oh, and Auston said he’d introduce you to Melissa Fortner. Isn’t that the dream?”

I sit up straight. “Really?” I always love meeting my favorite authors, and I’ve never met Melissa. Itwouldbe the dream.

“Absolutely.” Alice smiles. “We thought it was an appropriate form of payment, since you’re not interested in money.”

They know me so well.

Finally, I let out a long breath. “I hate you guys.”

“Yes!” Alice screams, drawing me into a hug while Hayley sits down on my other side. Now they’re both smothering me.

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