Page 16 of Faking It

The man I’d hoped never to run into again.

Carter. The only person who knows my secret.

The only one who knows who Leanna Finnegan is.

Chapter 6

Ana

“Oh, Universe. I’m starting to think you don’t like me too much,” I groan, unzipping my skirt. “How am I supposed to face him? Why would you mess with my big break like this?”

Silence is the only reply. I step from the skirt and toss it into the laundry basket. After requesting an early clock-out from work, I have two hours to not only shower and change into something screen-worthy, but to figure a way to survive this screen test without falling apart.

“He’s not even a goddamn A-list actor anymore,” I mumble, yanking the shower curtain before stepping inside. “Why does he get to call the shots? That’s not fair.”

Is it too much to hope he doesn’t remember me? He might not be at the top now, but until he retired two years ago, Carter was a big deal. He starred in several action blockbusters, dated celebrities from every genre, rubbed shoulders with the other actors in his A-list circle. There’s a high chance he won’t remember a dark-haired bartender from six years ago, right?

Right.

I don’t why I’m overthinking this. Yes. He won’t remember me. Not only because of his popularity, but the fact that I look nothing like the girl who served him those mocktails that night. Granted, what happened next would be stamped in anyone’s memory, but Carter is a man of the world, way too busy to remember an encounter in the alley behind the bar.

By the time I slip on a pair of fitted slacks and a buttoned-up shirt—sexy but professional, I feel lighter. Ready. I’m an actress. If they want chemistry, I’ll give it to them, even if the thought of Carter’s touch makes me want to freak out. Summoning every ounce of my bravery, I grab my bag and hurry through the door, trouncing down the stairs after shaking my fist at the building manager’s door. Week two of the elevator being in disrepair, and all we’ve been getting are empty promises. With my first paycheck from this movie, I’m getting the heck out of here.

When I get downstairs to my car in the parking lot, I realize getting out here won’t be so easy after all.

I sink on my haunches, gaping at the flat tire on my car.Give me a break, Universe. Please!

By the time on my watch, there’s barely half an hour left to go. With my paycheck not coming until the end of the week, I don’t have enough cash for a taxi. I dial Logan’s number, keeping my fingers crossed that he’s nearby. Three tries later, I give up, my stinging eyes telling me that my frustrating tears are on the verge of breaking free.

My energy wanes. Maintaining a positive attitude is so exhausting. Why is getting to the finish line so hard? Fuck. I swipe my eyes and dial Tori’s number. She answers on the first ring. She hears the anxiety in my voice and prompts me to switch over to video call.

“You’ve got this,” she says as I burst into tears. “Ana, look at me.”

I turn my attention to her as the tears run down my cheeks. “What do you need?”

“I have a flat and only five dollars until I get paid tomorrow—”

“Say no more. I’m calling you a cab right now.”

Within a minute, she calls me back. “It will be there in two minutes. Relax, okay? You’ll get to the chemistry test on time.”

I nod in response, but she’s still frowning. “What’s bothering you?” she asks.

There’s so much I want to tell her, but I can’t. Not without revealing my deep dark secret. “I’m just frazzled by the flat, that’s all,” I reply.

“Don’t give me that, Ana. It’s been six years since we met. I can tell when something’s bothering you. There’s a cab on the way, and you still look worried.”

The sound of a car engine makes me glance down the road as a white sedan rolls up. “The cab’s here,” I announce.

“Doesn’t stop you from telling me what’s bothering you,” she points out with a determined tone that tells me she has no plans of letting it go. “If you’re unsettled, you won’t do your best.”

“I don’t know, Tori. I’d been doing fine until I heard who my co-star will be. Now, it feels like I’m about to lose the part.”

“Oh, they told you. Who is it?”

“Carter. The actor from that superhero movie you forced me to go see a couple years ago.”

“The one where you slept the entire time. I can’t believe it! James Carter is your co-star? This is even better than I thought—” she pauses abruptly, staring at me with concern. “Why do you look like someone died?”

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