Page 51 of (Un)Expected

That was before a foul-mouthed brunette had taken over all my thoughts.

Once we got back to the hotel, I walked Calla to the front entrance, waiting awkwardly as she searched her purse for her keys. I tucked my hands in my pockets, unsure how the fuck we were supposed to wrap this up.Hey, I hope you had a good time, but not too good because your best friend has my head all fucked up?

When she pulled her keys out, she smiled up at me. “Well, that was certainly a date I’ll never forget.”

“Same,” I laughed. In truth, it was one of the most memorable dates of my life. I had no idea mini-golf could get that heated. I cleared my throat, rubbing the back of my head. “Thanks for keeping me company. I had a good time.”

“Yeah, I did, too.” Calla smiled softly back at me. “Even though we both know I’m not who you wanted to be on that date with tonight.”

My brows furrowed, hating that she saw so clearly what I was trying to hide. I decided to play dumb. “What do you mean?”

She rolled her eyes as she took a big step back. “Stubbornmatches made in heaven. Or hell, if that game is to be believed.” She glanced at the back lawn of the Isadora, across the pool toward the dark lake. Her expression seemed conflicted, and I didn’t have the right words to say, so I stood there staring at her until finally, she sighed. “Has Alex opened up to you at all about why she moved here?”

My jaw tightened, nerves already on edge at her apprehensive tone, one that told me that someone hurt Alex more than she let on. Afraid of what I would say, I shook my head, keeping my mouth firmly shut.

“Didn’t think so,” she sighed. “Look, Alex is my favorite person in the world. I love her more than anyone, but she has got some serious issues letting people in. Whatever is going on with Adam, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to push her to open up.”

“You think I can?”

“I think you have a shot.” She shrugged her shoulders. “All I know is how she looks at you—like she wants you to see her, therealher. The only other people she’s opened up to are Javi and me.” Her eyes narrowed. “Just…whatever you decide to do next, please don’t hurt her. She puts up a good front, but Alex is sensitive and takes people’s words to heart. She tends to think the worst of herself. If you want any sort of chance with her, start with being her friend. She deserves to have more people looking out for her.”

Without another word, Calla reached around my neck, giving me a chaste hug before scurrying inside, leaving me reeling. My head was spinning, trying to digest everything she told me.

Someone hurt Alex. Even if she didn’t say it directly, that was what Calla meant, and no matter how long ago it happened, it was still bothering her, still causing her to keep people at arm’s length.

And then, there was me: bringing her closer, only to shove her away when my feelings started to become too real, toying with her emotions, never telling her why I was so hot and cold. She asked formy friendship, and I couldn't even offer that, too wrapped up in my own shit to see the olive branch until it was almost too late.

Calla was right: I needed to show her that I could be her friend, that I would have her back no matter what came next.

Before I could start to make amends, there was something I had to do first.

I had to talk to Adam.

TWENTY-ONE

The week after our date felt like it moved at warp speed. With the movie starting to film in town, everyone was desperate for a glimpse behind the scenes. Our hotel had been flooded with inquiries from different publications asking us to confirm our guest lists. There are only so many polite ways you could tell people it was none of their damn business.

Despite the new distractions, my days hadn’t changed too much. I was still swamped with requests, but most came from Adam’s costars. I’d spent some time getting to know them and found that most were very down to Earth.

Well, except for Everly.

The girl was used to the city lifestyle and didn’t understand why she couldn’t order ahi tuna to her room at two in the morning. Usually, I’d hate all the over-the-top requests, but she was so sweet when I told her it wouldn’t work, I didn’t mind trying. She stopped by after shooting almost every day, dropping off a coffee to thank me for all my hard work. With that and the tips she always forced into my hands, she quickly became my favorite guest.

My other favorite guest barely had enough time to text, much lessspend some face-to-face time with me. Every time I saw Adam, he was rushing somewhere. He’d explained he was trying to be as hands-on as possible with the film. From what he told me, he was hoping this movie would break him from being type-cast as one of America’s favorite superheroes.

As I tried to process another one of Everly’s requests (not quite sure where to find goat yoga locally), Adam dashed through the lobby, barely looking up from the script pages as he pressed through the crowds of waiting fans. I climbed out from my station, blocking his path before he could walk right past me.

But I underestimated how invested he was in the pages. He barely slowed down when he ran into me. As I started to topple to the floor, Adam dropped the script to his side, looping his arm around my waist. “Oh shit, I’m so sorry, Alex. Are you okay?”

“Fine.” I smiled up at him as he righted me. Adam took a moment, tucking a stray hair behind my ear before stepping back from me. I glanced around the lobby, then lowered my voice so only he could hear. “But you’ve been neglecting your fake girlfriend, buddy.”

The pictures from our date last week had gone viral, and even I had to admit it: they were very fucking convincing. From the way Adam hugged me to the candle-lit dinner we shared afterward, we looked like a couple in love. Only we seemed to know the truth.

Well, we weresupposedto be the only ones, but I was starting to get the sneaking suspicion that Calla was on to us. She questioned me non-stop all week, curious how I felt about Adam. I tried to sell it the best I could, but I was getting to my breaking point. NDA or not, I hated lying to my best friend. She was one of the few people who saw directly through me, and it was only a matter of time before she found out the truth. God forbid she found out from another source. Then, there would be hell to pay.

Adam chuckled, bringing me back to the present as he pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “Sorry about that. I tend to get hyper-focused on projects and forget to come up for air.”

“You have a break in filming tonight, right?” He nodded, so I continued. “I was thinking I could take you to dinner. You know, help you clear your mind a little bit.”

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