Page 97 of Faking It

“Hi, babe. What’s up—”

“There’s some shit about to go down,” she interrupts urgently. “You need to get your ass home. “Now!”

Chapter 34

Gideon

It’s been twenty-nine hours.

Twenty-nine goddamn hours since I’ve seen or heard from Ana. Calls to her phone went off with no reply. She hasn’t answered my text messages. A stop by Tori’s apartment did nothing for me. I rang the doorbell, but no one answered.

I’m losing my fucking mind.

Something happened after she left my home the night before. Whatever it was, it made her rush out of bed, the phone still pressed to her ear as she searched wildly around the room. It took a moment for me to realize what she was looking for, and another long beat passed before she heard my reminder that she came here with nothing but her coat. Then she took off, flying down the stairs like a pack of rabid dogs were after her.

The only response to my query about her well-being was that Tori had some urgent news that couldn’t wait until morning. She allowed me to carry her to the car since she didn’t want to put her heels back on. A short kiss later, she drove away.

That was it.

No calls to let me know she’d gotten home safely. No updates to whatever emergency Tori called about. It’s been twenty-nine hours, and I’ve been on the verge of yanking my hair out. Instead, I’m sitting calmly on set, waiting for her to show up for our final scene.

She’s thirty minutes late, which is not like her. I’m not worried that she’s been hurt or anything, for Jared spoke to her five minutes ago. He just reported that she’s on her way.

Which means she’s been mad at me.

Panic threatens to get me flustered. I think back to our night together, wondering if I hurt her somehow. That can’t be it. She would’ve used the safe word. In fact, we curled up blissfully afterwards, talking until she fell asleep. I didn’t harm her, I’m positive.

Then, what the fuck could it be?

“She’s here, thank God,” Jared announces, coming into the room, and my heart makes a nervous somersault. I rise from my chair a minute later as Ana enters. Her eyes are everywhere as she apologizes profusely for being late.

Everywhere except on me.

“Girl, just count your stars that Aunt Cheryl changed her mind about appearing on set today,” Jared tells her. “She’d be chewing all our asses on your behalf, then I’d be forced to give you a piece of my mind.”

Ana forces a smile at him, then her eyes slide to me, hardening. Fuck, yes. She’s mad at me.

I step toward her, but her PA cuts in and leads her away. That’s my cue to get ready. Still baffled out of my mind, I head to my side of the trailer. I hear her moving around, giving muttered responses to the makeup artist. To interrupt them would make her even madder. Besides, I don’t want anyone hearing whatever we’ll discuss.

Twenty minutes later, I’m decked out in a dark suit with my hair in a slick ponytail to fit my character profile. I’m already on my mark when Ana enters, dressed in a skin-tight black gown that takes my breath away. Her hair is tightly curled, hanging loosely around her shoulders. Red lipstick gives her beautiful mouth a delicious pop. She’s beyond stunning, and I’m not just taking about her physical features. I’m talking about her soul. She’s been through so much shit, but she survived. She not only survived, but she’s thriving, all because of that fighting spirit. Her persistence. It’s a major reason I’m falling for her so hard.

Yes, there’s no doubt about it, now. I’m in love with Ana Kent. Which is such bad timing, if the icy look she’s giving is anything to go by.

The irony of this scene isn’t lost on me. This is the part where Xavier grovels after breaking Mila’s heart. An elaborate surprise at a New Years Eve party leads to a HEA, sealed with a heart-stopping kiss.

A real, heart-stopping kiss.

The way I hold Ana, how deeply I taste her, I communicate that this is not fake. It’s not for the scene. I’m showing her what I feel, letting her know we can fix whatever it is that made her glare at me like that. I’m in love with her. Every stroke of my tongue shows her how much.

If she doesn’t believe what my body is saying, then God help me.

“Cut! And that’s a wrap!” Milo, the assistant director yells, and cheers erupt around the room. Including mine. Whatever’s happening between me and Ana doesn’t change the fact we made a huge accomplishment. Working to create an A-class film on a mid-level budget wasn’t easy. The entire crew deserves to celebrate.

We all move around the room hugging each other, until I get to Ana. The warm smile on her lips is a huge contrast to the glacier in her eyes. She accepts my hug and turns her cheek for a kiss.

"Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” I mutter in her ear.

“Not here,” she replies stiffly. “In the trailer.”

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