Page 7 of Sunrise

"So, what was with the girl throwing a kiwi at some guy?" I ask, needing to change the subject.

"Ahhh her ex-boyfriend, who we didn't know was back in town. It's a long story and not mine to tell but let's say he deserved it and was lucky she didn't throw a pineapple at him." She laughs and stops in front of my door.

"Is throwing fruit a normal thing for her?" I ask, not wanting the conversation to end.

"Her throwing things in general is. I have a scar on my arm from her throwing a seashell at me."

"Ouch, what did you do to deserve that?" I ask.

"I dumped a bucket of sand on her head. I was ten, and she had pushed me into the pool earlier that day after I stole the last of her mom's blueberry muffins." She shrugs with a smile on her face.

I fall against the wall laughing. She shakes her head and takes the key from my hand and opens the door for me.

A quick look around confirms the room matches the online photos with a blue wood bed frame and amazing ocean views. The views alone sold me on this trip. Some peaceful ocean waves to wash away the old me seemed perfect.

"My personal cell number is in your folder. Since there is minimal staff, if you need anything, call me on that number. I always have my phone. I live on the property, so I'm here day or night. I make breakfast here in the dining room. Normally, the guests from Sunset come over for breakfast, but they have been informed that breakfast will be in the dining room there. You can choose to eat here or walk over to Sunset with me each night at six for dinner. Just let us know your preference. I am going into town tomorrow to get some stuff before the storm hits. You’re welcome to tag along. If you need anything, let me know, and I'll be happy to pick it up. The bridge in and out of town closes during a storm, so don't go too far." She turns to me and smiles. "I'll let you get settled. See you at dinner."

With that, she turns and leaves, and the room feels dark and empty like she takes the sunlight with her. What the hell is happening here? I have to be more stressed than I realize. That is the only reasonable answer.

I close the door and set my bags down. Opening the balcony door, I let the sound of rushing waves fill the room. There are no cars, or people yelling, or sirens. It's just calm and quiet. Exactly what I need.

I turn to start unpacking my bags when my phone rings. Wren's name flashes on the screen, and I almost send him to voicemail, but I decide to get this over with.

"How was your flight attendant?" I ask, not even bothering with hello.

"Great, man. We are going to some club tonight too." He laughs.

"Hope she was worth it. I'm officially pissed at you." I grunt.

"Oh, she was worth it. She does yoga and lives in a house with four other girls just as hot as her, and they like to share, if you know what I mean." I can just see him wagging his eyebrows as he says that, and I roll my eyes.

"I know what you mean. I just got here, and I'm unpacking. Did you need anything?" I ask.

"How is the place?" A door closes in the background, and the line becomes quieter. He's now gone from friend mode to work mode.

"It's quiet and cute. Just like the photos online, but the view is much better. Met the owner. She's the only staff I've seen here so far." I decide to leave out the other inn owner and not complicate things. The last thing I want is Wren showing up and ruining my peace and quiet.

"That's great, man. Just remember to stay off social media and stay out of the spotlight. We want you to basically disappear as I go back to the studio next week and talk to them. I want to see what it will take to get you the role in that action movie we were talking about," Wren says.

Ahhh, the action movie is supposed to be some huge production to rival the Mission Impossible franchise, but I wasn't overly impressed with it. Wren swears it's going to be huge, and his gut is hardly ever wrong. Well, at least with my career, it's not. With women, it is wrong more than it's right.

"You do that and maybe talk to the asshole Matt about why he and his wife don't just release a statement with the truth. It would kill all this dead in the water and benefit us both." I sigh.

"I know it would, but they aren't willing to. Honestly, I don't know for sure, but I think they are having problems and want to use this as a way to split in the best possible light. If they make up, then it makes them both look bad down the road or like they were hiding something. I'm willing to bet Matt offered her some big settlement in the divorce if she keeps looking like she cheated. I bet he's the one who's cheating and doesn't want it on his reputation. I've seen shit like this so much," Wren says.

"So I get screwed in the process, and they go on their merry little way?" I grit out. I'm pissed. I hate how fake Hollywood is, and I hate playing these games. "Then this came at a good time because I'm so sick of it all, Wren. Maybe not push for the action movie. I need a break," I say the words out loud to him for the first time.

"Shit, I don't think it was that bad. You know a break right now would kill your career. You have to come back swinging or not at all. Listen. Let's get you in another blockbuster, then you can take some time off with the whole ‘going to spend some time with family' spiel and keep your social media going. Let me talk to the studio and see where we go, okay? I promise, let's just get you back in, then we will get you a break." Wren's voice actually sounds sorry, which isn't an emotion I get from him often.

"Okay. I'm actually going to turn my phone off for a few days, so call the inn if you need me, okay?"

"All right, take care, man." Wren hangs up.

I figure if I'm going to turn off my phone, I should call my mom and dad and let them know. They will worry regardless.

"Hey, baby." My mom's voice greets me.

"Hey, Mom. I'm going to turn off my phone for a few days and wanted to give you a number to reach me if you need me." I give her the contact info here for the Sunrise Inn.

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