Page 123 of Heavy Shot

“That was amazing.”

“Yes.” She was nodding.

“Come home with me?”

“Oh, yes.”

When the next week’s magazines came out, there weren’t any new photographs of them to run, but one of the internet sites ran a blind item about a fake couple that had gone real, asking if that’s why no one had seen the two lately. They worked, they went back to his place, they ate, they played with Jack, then they fucked like rabbits until they had to go back to work the next day until several days later when they woke up, looked at each other, tried to kiss, then both started laughing.

“You’re done?” Kline asked. “You get that out of your system?”

Jill considered his face a long time, then shrugged. “Yeah. I think I’m good.”

“Me too.”

“Friends?” She asked, knowing the answer.

“Always and forever.”

She sat up and went toward the shower. “I’m just gonna– And then I’m going home.”

“Sure.” He was grinning. “Hate when you leave, but I love to watch you go. Use me to burn out your heartbreak anytime.”

“What?”

“I read the tabs,” he shrugged, sitting up in bed. “I figured you’d talk if you wanted to talk. I kinda like the way you decided to deal with it, though. Worked out for me.”

Jill groaned and threw one of his shoes at him, “You’ve heard the saying about getting over someone by getting under someone else.”

“I’m just glad I could be of service.”

Once she was home, she sorted through a pile of messages her PA had transcribed from the answering machine for her. Several were from Rhiannon, who was worried that Jill hadn’t returned any of her earlier calls. Without bothering to check the time or even think about what she wanted to say, she dialed her friend’s number.

“I’m fine,” she said to Rhiannon’s voice mail. “It’s just been an intense schedule with some pretty dramatic days. The worst is over until I have to kill Kline on camera. Hope you’re staying dry. Kiss, kiss.”

In another couple of hours her phone rang and she answered. Caller ID said it was Rhiannon, and Jill wondered what her friend would have to say, or if she was even still her friend. “Hello?” She letJill Parker Tony Award-Winning Actressanswer the phone.Jill Parker Jilted Loverwould have to wait her turn.

“Jill! I’ve been so worried!”

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t prepared for how hard shooting a movie was going to be. I’ve been exhausted. How are you?”

“And you haven’t answered your phone at all?”

“I haven’t. Anything work-related has been going through Jennifer or Roland, and I honestly just turned off real life. Jennifer’s my new PA. She’s the best! I’m so sorry I haven’t called. I didn’t think you’d be worried. It didn’t occur to me.”

“And you didn’t marry Kline.”

“No! Ha! No. That was… Roland and his girlfriend got married. It was a quickie thing in Vegas, and he invited Kline and me along. I caught the bouquet.” Jill explained with a little more detail, hoping that might encourage Rhiannon to offer her own.

“And signed as witnesses,” Rhiannon sighed.

“Yes. The press had a field day until the forms went public and everyone could see it wasn’t us.”

“It made it all the way to Prague.”

“What?”

“Yeah. That’s why– Thad thought–”

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