Page 84 of How to Kiss a Movie Star
Audrey:I promise I’ll fill them in eventually. I just don’t want them to worry. And this whole scenario will make Mom worry.
Summer:That’s true. You’re making the right call.
Summer:You have to keep us updated though. Any new details, you’d better message us!
Audrey:I will. Promise.
Lucy:And Audrey, try not to overthink, okay? Just enjoy yourself. This is an amazing, magical thing happening to you. Just enjoy it. You deserve all the happy things.
Audrey:Thanks. I love you guys.
Summer:Love you too. Please tell your movie star boyfriend I would love to meet Ryan Gosling, please and thank you.
Audrey:Hahaha. I’ll pass that along.
Summer:Tom Holland would also be great.
Summer:And Liam Hemsworth.
Summer:Oh! And Chris Evans. Does he know Chris Evans?
Lucy:Summer. STOP.
Summer:Chris Pratt! I would love to meet Chris Pratt.
Summer:And Bradley Cooper! Flint was in a movie with Bradley Cooper, right? He has to know him!
Summer:Why do I suddenly feel like I’m here by myself now?
Summer:FINE. I’m done now.
Summer:Just kidding. One more. Harry Styles. The internet says he and Flint are FRIENDS, Audrey. FRIENDS.
Lucy:Okay. You’re safe. I stole her phone. Love you, Auds! Have fun!
Chapter Twenty-Three
Flint
ThecastandcrewofTurning Tidesare set up in three different hotel rooms, with a fourth room available to us when we need coffee or food or just a break away from the reporters who will be cycling through in ten-minute intervals.
As expected, I’ll be interviewed with Claire. We’re the stars of the movie, so it only makes sense, but I’m not looking forward to an entire day sitting right beside her. At least Audrey will be there, visible to meandClaire. I just have to hope that will be enough to make her behave.
So far, I haven’t even seen her.
The hotel room door opens, and I look up, expecting Claire. We’re supposed to start in less than ten minutes, so she should show up any second. Instead, it’s the director ofTurning Tides,Lea Cortez, who comes in. She smiles wide when she meets my gaze, and I stand, hurrying over for a hug.
“Oh, it’s so good to see you!” she says, squeezing my shoulders before letting me go. Her eyes flit to where Audrey is standing just behind us, then she leans forward. “Excellent timing, Flint,” she says knowingly. “You happened to get a girlfriend just in time for the premiere, huh?”
The question doesn’t surprise me. Lea is fully aware of what Claire has been up to the past few months, and she knew my team was trying to figure out a way to make it stop.
“Let’s call the timing fortuitous instead of suspicious,” I say, reaching for Audrey’s hand.
She steps forward and slips her fingers into mine.
“Lea, this is my girlfriend,” I say, not even tripping over the words. Maybe because now, they feel true. “Doctor Audrey Callahan.”
Audrey reaches out and shakes Lea’s hand. “And this is Lea Cortez. Director ofTurning Tidesand my very good friend. She and her wife, Trista, were my neighbors when I lived in Malibu.”
