Page 72 of Faking It

Logan’s not even an established film producer, for Christ’s sake. Even a blind man should see through that bullshit. So what if his grandfather was a famous director back in the day? He sure isn’t. I haven’t heard a thing about his indie film.

Cheryl sighs. “Whether it’s true changes nothing. What people believe is the issue. They’re calling you a slut, and there are many online threats to boycott the movie if you’re the leading actress. You understand the problem on our hands, right?”

“I don’t understand the outrage. I’m an adult, free to do whatever I want, anyway.”

“Except cheat on their eye candy. Don’t you understand? Gideon is their sweetheart. You hurt him, then prepare to face their wrath.”

“But I didn’t hurt him,” I insist, leaning forward with a plea on my face. “Michael and I… that never happened. That wouldneverhappen. Logan and I ended things weeks ago. Even if Gideon and I were together for real, there’d be no cheating—”

The door flies open, banging against the wall as Gideon comes barging in. “You forgot my invite, Aunty,” he greets, the annoyance on his face a clear sign of how he feels about her actions.

“I had no reason to invite you, so I didn’t,” she says casually, brushing him off.

“What do you mean? Isn’t it my name being posted with Ana’s? Am I not the one who’s beenhurt?”

“You’re the victim, not the aggressor.”

He shoots her a deadpan stare. “Neither is Ana. Shouldn’t we be rallying around her, instead of throwing her out to the wolves?”

Cheryl stands. “Have you seen the threats online? Huh? Three hours ago, someone created a social media page with the handle, ‘Boycott Ana Kent’. Take a guess how many followers they’ve already gained.”

Gideon stares at her blankly.

“Twenty-one thousand.”

“Fuck,” Gideon mutters as my spine gets rigid with shock.

“My sentiments exactly. Now you understand that I’m not overreacting at all.”

“Maybe not, but leaving Ana out in the cold is not the way.”

Cheryl glances at me cautiously. “You have as much banking on this movie, Gideon. We both know that.”

It would be a cryptic message if Gideon hadn’t opened up to me last night. I get it. If this movie fails, Gideon will lose his home. From his shuttered expression, the realization has sunk in.

I brace for his next words, knowing he’s about to back down and let Cheryl fire me. A pleasant shock explodes inside me when he firmly says, “We must find another way.”

He comes around the table, and for the first time since he entered the room, stares directly at me. Concern bathes his features as he draws up a chair in front of me. “How are you feeling?”

Considering how I dashed from his apartment early this morning after a muttered goodbye, then chucked in Tori’s SUV like the hounds of hell were after me, I’m surprised he’s even talking to me. The genuine tenderness bursts the dam, and I succumb to the tears that have been straining to break free. Gideon leans over and hugs me. Huge, warm, tight, giving me so much comfort that only makes me cry more.

“It’s going to be okay, I promise,” he mutters assuredly.

“Don’t make a promise you can’t keep,” Cheryl pipes up.

Gideon pulls away to regard her. “It’s not an empty promise. I’m going to clear this up with a statement. The bloggers will believe whatever comes from the horses’ mouth.”

“That’s actually a great idea,” Norman speaks up. “It will take the heat off Ana.”

Cheryl sighs after a while. “Yes, it could work. If it does, we need to ensure a repeat never happens. She turns her attention to me. “Ana, if there are any more skeletons in your closet, like another crazy ex-boyfriend, or two, now’s the time to let them out so we can do damage control.”

My heart slams against my ribcage. Gideon stiffens beside me. The quiver in my voice sounds loud as thunder as I reply, “I have none.”

“Are you sure?” Cheryl asks, staring at me skeptically.

“She’s positive.” Gideon speaks up, taking my hand. His reassuring squeeze confirms that my secret is still safe with him.

Cheryl glances between us, then she nods slightly. “This can’t happen again, understood?” she says to me.

---