Page 62 of Beautiful Storm

Pushing the conspiracy theories out of my head, I line up for our first play as the cameras turn my way. I throw them a wave, then it’s on. I’m ready to show them exactly why I should be their star.

Throughout practice, my gaze naturally seeks out Amelia, finding her locked in various conversations with her crew members. Once again in her element. And a thought hits me. I may have joked about telling people our secret, but if it comes out, it’s going to hurt her career, and I don’t want that to happen.

I have to keep my distance when she’s here. Yes, she can give as good as she gets, but now is not the time for joking around.

When practice is over, and our filming obligations are complete, I avoid Amelia as I make my way outside. The less interaction we have, the better, and I have a list of things to do if I want to keep things moving for us both.

First up, I need to tell Lainey. Not only because she’d kill me if I didn’t but also because she can help.

When I arrive at her house, I knock twice before remembering she’s forever waltzing into my place, so instead, I push open thedoor and announce my arrival before stepping inside, knowing that Thomas isn’t home.

But because I’m a nicer person than she is, I wait for her reply.

“Coming,” she calls out from down the hall seconds before stepping into view, a bath towel in her hands.

When our eyes lock, she raises her hands in the air. “I swear I didn’t take her,” she sasses about Shadow, waving the white towel as if it’s her sign of surrender.

I huff out a laugh. “If I didn’t have other things on my mind, you know I would have made you feel guilty for that comment.”

“How?” She shakes her head as she folds the towel.

“By pretending she was missing.”

“Jesus.” She pauses as her eyes flash to mine. “You’re a dick sometimes. But you already know that. What things?”

Huh? “What things?” I repeat, confused.

Lainey pins me with her signature stare but there’s a hint of concern in her expression. “You just said you had things on your mind.”

“Oh, that.” I clench the back of my neck as I walk toward her. “You tell Thomas everything, right?” I ask, knowing the answer but needing to gauge her reaction.

“I do.” She hesitates, her task forgotten as she throws the towel back into the laundry basket. “What—”

“All good, just checking.”

“Oh-kay.” Lainey stares at me with a raised brow while I take a deep breath and attempt away around her little admission.

“I have this friend, and he’s kind of got himself into a situation.”

“Does Thomas know him?”

“He does, which is why we’re going to call him Bob.”

“Okay. And what situation isBobin?” She leans against the wall pretending to be calm, but there’s an obvious tension in her shoulders.

“He may or may not have gotten someone pregnant.”

“What?” Lainey gasps as she stands tall. “For a second I thought we were playing pretend and that Bob was actually Thomas. But now… Oh. My. God. I’m going to be an aunt?” She squeals the last bit and I cringe.

What?“No, no one’s going to be an aunt becauseBobdoesn’t have any sisters.”

“But—”

“At least he won’t,if his sister tells her fiancé what I’m about to tell you.”

Lainey stares at me for a second before her lips pull into the smallest grin, which she graciously hides.

“Okay. Spill.” The words flow out of her mouth casually, but I know deep down she’s dying to say more. And while I’m thankful she’s holding back, I’m also not, because how do I begin? It would probably be easier if she was hitting me with rapid-fire questions.

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