Текст книги "Love Unscripted"

Автор книги: Tina Reber

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Текущая страница: 13 (всего у книги 40 страниц)

I turned to see Suzanne and Francesca walking our way.

“Great,” I murmured, loud enough for only Ryan to hear.

“Are you rehearsing again, Ryan?” Suzanne chided as she slumped back down in one of the chairs at the table.

“I don’t think so,” he answered coldly. “But if you have a problem with it, you can go back downstairs.”

“Oh, don’t be so defensive. I just came up here to tell you that Cal is looking for you,” Suzanne huffed while looking at her fingernails.

“Cal can wait. If he needs me, he knows exactly where to find me.”

A smile broke on my lips. When the timer buzzed, I lifted the grill cover to flip the steaks.

“The trick is to grill the meat for three minutes on each side, then you let it rest for three minutes, and then you repeat the process.” I looked up

into his eyes. “Would you please bring the cast iron pot over from the fire? It should be hot now. Here, take this heavy glove so you don’t burn

yourself.”

“Sure! No problem!” he said cheerfully while sliding his hand across my rear.

I’m sure the sourpuss twins saw that gesture; I heard one of them scoff. I placed the first round of steaks in the hot iron pot and covered them

with the lid. I had just set the second layer of steaks on the grill when Marie came through the door.

“Ryan, the guys are playing darts and they want you to even out the teams,” Marie stated. Her face was twisted in confusion as she looked at

the two sitting at the table.

“Nah, I’m staying with Taryn,” he quickly replied.

I saw his eyes flicker over to Suzanne. I supposed he thought I needed his protection.

I touched his cheek. “It’s okay. I have this.” I smiled. “Go have fun with the boys. Marie will keep me company.” I gave him my devilish grin to let

him know I wouldn’t be taking any of their crap.

“Are you sure?” he whispered. I knew he would stay if I asked him to.

“It’s okay,” I reassured him.

He leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Don’t take any of their shit.”

I smiled. He and I were on the same wavelength.

“I didn’t intend to.”

Marie was with me now; I had reason to just ignore them.

“That a girl! I’ll see you in a bit.” He gave me a quick kiss and a pat on the butt.

Ryan gave Marie a squeeze on her shoulder in passing. “Play nice ladies,” he said, looking back at the table.

“What’s up with those two?” Marie whispered to me. She sat down on one of the counter stools.

I rolled my eyes.

“Did you meet Kelly and Kat?” I asked her.

“Yep.” She nodded. “They are so cool! Tammy is down there with them now. Kat is really funny!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to introduce you to everyone. I’ve been distracted.”

“No kidding!” Marie giggled.

Suzanne started talking to Francesca; even though she was talking quietly, she apparently wanted me to hear what she was saying. She wasn’t

that quiet.

“You know the studio will be upset once they discover he’s dating someone. It’s all about how he’s packaged. And as long as he’s publicly

single, his fan base will be higher and his movies will make more money. You don’t think that they will allow him to be seen with her, I mean she’s

not even famous. Won’t take them long to put an end to it.”

Even though she was appearing to be a mean and vindictive person, I wondered if there was any truth to her comment. Would the studio tell him

who he could and could not date? Did he have to sign a contract or something which governed his personal life? I didn’t know anything about the

rules that came along with being famous.

“So Taryn…” Suzanne chimed up, interrupting my private thoughts. “How did you and Ryan meet?”

I smiled briefly before turning around.

“I’m so surprised Ryan didn’t tell you that story himself, Suzanne! Perhaps you should ask him how we met. He tells the story much better than I

do.”

“No, he didn’t mention you at all,” she retorted. “He’s such a good actor and a good liar that I wouldn’t believe anything he tells me anyway.”

Marie’s eyes shot up to look at me. She was instantly aware that this was a confrontation and not a casual conversation.

“I wouldn’t know about his acting abilities. I’ve never seen any of his movies,” I replied over my shoulder. “But when he looks at me I can tell he’s

being honest. He has no reason to pretend with me.” I laughed quietly; only Marie could see me.

“Yes, well, enjoy it while it lasts. In a few more weeks he’ll be leaving. Then what will you do?”

The smile on my lips quickly faded. The bitch found my weak spot.

She noted my pause and used it to her advantage.

“You honestly didn’t think he would stay here, did you?” she said condescendingly in her annoying accent.

When I didn’t respond, she threw her next dagger.

“You did! How pathetic! You probably think what you have with him is special; like you are the first girl in this town that he has tried to sleep with.

I hate to be the one to inform you but you aren’t the first. My dear Ryan is such a talented actor. It’s all the same, from town to town, how easy they all

fall for him. He tells them what they want to hear so he can get laid. Pity how he leaves them all broken-hearted.”

I had a sharp knife in one hand and a long tined fork in the other. The thought of stabbing her in her heart crossed my mind.

“Besides, we are leaving for Scotland soon, and he is contracted for movies immediately after that. He doesn’t have time for a relationship.

He’ll be traveling the world, and you know the saying ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ He’ll think of you only until the next girl opens her legs.”

Kelly’s words about how I had to be strong flashed through my brain. Marie’s words about this being a part of his life flashed after that. But I

looked at Marie with desperation. I had no comeback for Suzanne’s comment.

“Yes, we all know that Ryan has obligations, but I don’t think that will be powerful enough to keep these two apart,” Marie replied in my defense.

“When I see how Ryan looks at you,” she said to me, “I just know. That man is falling in love with you. You two are perfect for each other. You’re his

soul mate.”

Temporary relief washed over me and a smile broke across my face.

“Soul mate?” Suzanne scoffed. “Oh, he really has done a number on all of you! He should get an Academy Award for that performance!” She

clapped. “You really have no idea how many women he has slept with, do you? And he made every one of them feel like they were his perfect

match.”

“You never know. Maybe Taryn is his perfect match. The way he holds her and kisses her, it’s what his heart wants, not what the script says he’s

supposed to do,” Marie fired back.

“Foolish American women. They are all the same,” she said to Francesca. “Let me guess… he’s been calling you and texting you? So typical

for Ryan; that’s how he gets them to fall for him. He probably uses the same lines on each of them too!” She rolled her gaze over to me.

“Ryan is an actor! He gets paid to fool people into believing he’s something he’s not. It is extremely difficult for people in our industry to have

long standing relationships, especially when you lie for a living.”

I momentarily had a vision of tossing her off the edge of the roof.

“Ryan is a young man in his prime. He has no desire to settle, not when the world is laid out for him and he has all these opportunities. All the

parties, all the women… they are just toys to him,” she stated emphatically.

“His next movie starts filming in January. He’ll be gone for months. After that we have hundreds of photocalls and junkets to promote Day of

Dawn. We still don’t know where we’re going to film the third movie, but I can say with confidence that it won’t be here.”

Marie glared at her. “Other actors have relationships and get married all the time. I don’t know why you think Ryan would be so different.”

Suzanne sat up straight in her chair. “Married? Ryan? I don’t think so. He isn’t the marrying type. Besides, everyone knows that in the end,

famous celebrities always marry celebrities.”

“Not always,” Marie argued. “Matt Damon looks quite happy. The way I see it, it’s the relationships between actors that always end up in

divorce.”

“Yes, well these momentary distractions could end up costing him his career. He’s already been warned by the director to get focused,” she

said callously.

“Perhaps it was something on the set that was distracting him and taking away his focus?” I pointed out. “Maybe someone was having a bad

costume day or was behaving like a spoiled brat? Or perhaps someone is still harboring feelings from something that happened once a long time

ago? I’m sure those moments of irritation affect his performance as well.” Swallow that one Bitch! I said to myself.

That was the final straw for her. She abruptly got up from her chair, shoving it back and out of her way with extra force. Francesca stood up two

seconds later. The scowl on her face was evident too.

“Don’t overcook my steak,” Suzanne huffed as she retreated for the door.

Chapter 12 – Served

“What the hell was that all about?” Marie asked the second Francesca slipped through the door.

“I’m not sure,” I sighed. “I think Suzanne is in love with Ryan. At least she’s acting like it. What the hell did I get myself into?”

“Don’t worry about her. He obviously doesn’t care about her,” Marie declared.

I put the steaks back on the grill for their last cycle. As I poked them with the fork to move them around I thought about Suzanne’s statements.

What was I going to do once Ryan left Seaport? I was caught up in the moment again with another guy who was still leaving for good in a few

weeks.

“Taryn, you look like you want to cry. Don’t let those bitches get to you like that.”

“Marie, she’s right. They are leaving soon. He’s got movies to make and he has to travel to many other places after this. How can it possibly

work out?”

The smoke from the grill was making my eyes sting even worse. “Long distance relationships never last.”

“Don’t think that!” she yelled at me. “He cares about you!”

“So what? It doesn’t matter how we feel about each other. He’s going to have to leave eventually! Once he leaves, that will be it. This

relationship, if that’s even what it is, was doomed from the start.” I felt the pain that precedes my tears crack into my chest.

“He’s beyond famous. And once we’re not around each other, temptation will be all around him. There are a million pretty women out there for

him to choose from and I’m sure he’ll form bonds with the next hot actress he has to work with.” I had to breathe. Reality was setting in.

“I’m kidding myself to think he’ll want to maintain a relationship with me. He’ll never be able to stay faithful to me, and why should he? He’s

young, and single, and certainly not in a position in his life to settle down with someone. I’m nothing more than a stupid piece of ass.”

I wiped my eyes. My eyeliner was noticeable on my finger. I felt the tear form and drip down my cheek.

Marie rushed around the grill and gave me a hug. I couldn’t hold the tears in anymore thinking about losing him; they streamed down my face.

“What happened?” Ryan yelled, running over to where we stood.

Marie answered him. “That Suzanne is a bitch! She’s lucky I didn’t punch her.”

“What did she say to you? Tell me!” He started to pull on my arm.

Marie let me go and I turned to take the steaks off the grill. I sniffed back my tears and tried to stifle the sobs that ebbed up my chest as I threw

each steak in the pot. I couldn’t look at him.

“Give me the fork,” Marie ordered, relieving me of steak duty.

Ryan grabbed my upper arms and spun me around with force. “Taryn, Sweetheart, what did she say to you? Tell me right now!”

I just shook my head. I couldn’t stop the tears. I also didn’t want to have this conversation with him while Marie was present.

“Marie, would you please take the steaks downstairs for me? Please? I need a moment,” I muttered. Ryan was wiping my face with his fingers.

“Please, tell me what she said,” he pleaded.

“She said a lot of things, Ryan. Mostly she reminded me repeatedly that you’re leaving soon and you’re not coming back here – and thinking

about that hurts… so bad.” I squeezed my eyes shut; fresh tears rolled down my face.

“She informed me that you’re leaving for Scotland soon, and that you have many other movie commitments and so many other places in the

world to be.” I swallowed hard, trying to pull myself together. I didn’t want him to see me crying over him. I wiped my cheek.

“Funny, I knew all along that you wouldn’t be staying here. How could you possibly…”

“That bitch! I’ve just about had enough of her shit!” he yelled.

I didn’t fully understand why he was mad at Suzanne.

“Don’t blame her. She didn’t say anything that I hadn’t already considered. I just didn’t need her to remind me today.”

I looked away when I realized the day of reckoning was happening now.

“I should have never let myself get this attached,” I said, chastising myself. I started to take a step back to walk away, but Ryan grabbed my

arms again. I tried to squirm out of his hands but he tightened his grip.

“This is exactly why…” I didn’t finish saying it out loud. My hands clenched into fists. In my mind, the inevitable heartbreak was already here and

I was furious with myself.

“Oh, God. Why did I let this happen? I’m so stupid! I should have never, ever…” Fresh air stuttered down my throat.

“Taryn?” Ryan’s face twisted with confusion.

I knew he didn’t understand why I was so distraught.

“I’m sorry, Ryan. I knew this moment would come eventually. That’s why I tried to just stay friends. I don’t want to put this on you. It’s my problem.”

“What are you saying?” He shook my arms.

I attempted to wipe my eye, trying to find the internal strength to say the words. I love you, but I can’t keep you.

“I’m saying we shouldn’t see each other anymore. Then when you leave in a few weeks, no one gets hurt.”

His mouth fell open. “What? No!” he shouted. “NO! Why are you doing this?”

“Ryan, we both know that you’re leaving soon! Then what? We’re going to try to have a long distance relationship? I’m not that naïve.” I wiped

my face.

“The more time I spend with you, the harder it will be when you go. This relationship doesn’t stand a chance and I know you know it! So why

pretend that anything good can come from it!

“Let’s just end this now instead of prolonging the inevitable. Then when you leave you’re free to be with whomever you want to be with. No

strings, no worries… no regrets.” As hard as I tried to stick to my guns, my tears were pouring uncontrollably down my face. I had to look away.

“It’s already too painful and I’m already too attached to you,” I muttered under my breath.

“Taryn, honey, look at me,” he pleaded. I noticed his voice crack.

I shrugged my shoulders, trying to escape from his hands. “I can’t.” My heart was breaking and I wanted to get away from the source of the pain.

“Please?” he begged.

“No. No,” I said adamantly, my voice trembled uncontrollably. I tasted the salt from my tears as they dripped across my lips. I struggled in his

hands, but he still wouldn’t let go.

“No. It’s all right.” I swallowed hard. “You don’t have to say anything. You don’t owe me. Let’s just go back to the party and when it’s over we’ll

say our goodbyes.”

My words burned in my throat and my heart crumbled to pieces. I had to let him go.

As much as I love you, you can never be mine.

His hands shook my arms.

“Please, just… let me go,” I whispered between sobs.

“Taryn? No! No! Please baby. Look at me. Look into my eyes. Please!” It almost sounded like he was crying too.

“Look at me!” he shouted.

The moment I looked up, new tears streamed down my face. I didn’t want him to see me like this.

“I have no intentions to walk away from you or let any amount of distance ruin this. Will it be difficult for us? Yes. Will it hurt me just as bad to be

away from you? Yes.”

Tears fell from Ryan’s eyes.

“But one thing I know for sure…” He held my chin up to make sure I wouldn’t look away. “I am falling in love with you.”

My knees felt weak. I hadn’t expected that response from him.

“With you, Taryn!” he stressed, looking directly into my eyes. “I don’t want anyone else – just you. And no matter where I am, wherever I go,

you’re the only one who is holding my heart.”

He felt that I wasn’t resisting so he eased up on the grip he had on my arm. His grasp that once kept me from running away now held me up

where I stood.

“We’ll figure out a way to make it work. I promise,” he solemnly vowed.

“I have plenty of time between my schedules to come back here, and when I can’t be here, I’ll get you on a plane. No matter what, I’m not going

to let you go.” He stressed his last words.

“I’m falling in love with you, too,” I confessed, looking up into his warm, blue eyes. “That’s why it hurts so much.”

He pulled me into a comforting embrace and crushed his lips on mine. I felt the weight of my uncertainties lift off my heart as I read his lips and

the message his kiss conveyed. Knowing that he wanted me, hearing that he didn’t want it to end, was exactly what I needed to move forward.

His kiss ended and he sighed heavily.

“Oh, Sweetheart, don’t worry. You’re not gonna get rid of me that easily.”

“That’s good to know,” I murmured on his chest.

Ryan hugged me, stroking his hand over my hair.

“I didn’t know. I wasn’t sure how long you and I...” I sniffed. “If this, between us, was only until you left Seaport.”

“No. That was never my intention.” He kissed my head.

“The way I feel about you, and after our incredible night and this morning…” I tossed my head back and took a moment to breathe.

“I don’t know about you, but my feelings for you started way before that!” He tried to joke.

“Mine too,” I admitted. “But Suzanne kept picking until she found my weakness.” I sighed, collecting myself further.

“Ryan, I know you have obligations that will tear you away from here. Suzanne informed me of all of them, emphasizing how much you need your

freedom. The thought of never seeing you again was excruciating. Allowing myself to fall madly in love with you and then having to let you go for

good, I don’t know if I could survive that.”

Ryan softly kissed me. “I know how you feel. A few minutes ago when you broke up with me, I felt that same excruciating pain.”

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, drowning in regret for hurting him.

“It’s okay, honey. I understand,” he said while gently rocking me back and forth.

I wiped the moisture from my cheeks. “I’m sorry for falling apart.”

“Stop apologizing. It’s all right.” He hugged me tighter. “Just don’t ever break up with me again.” He sounded truly rattled as he kissed my

forehead.

“I swear I never will. The same goes for you,” I muttered.

“I’ve already fallen for you so you’re stuck with me,” Ryan assured me.

“You know my parents are coming here in two weeks, and they are expecting to meet the woman I told them I’m falling in love with – you!” He

smiled and rubbed my cheek with his thumb. “I’ve already told my mom how crazy I am about you.”

I nodded my head and smiled back. “I really want to meet your parents.”

He softly kissed me and rested his forehead on mine. “And I want you to meet them. I’m looking forward to introducing them to my one and only

girlfriend.”

I wondered if the other woman in his life knew where his heart was. “I think Suzanne is in love with you too. She said some really hurtful things.”

“Did you get her back?” He sounded hopeful.

“I got one good one in there. Marie got her a few times too. It was like she wanted the challenge.”

“I knew I shouldn’t have left. That’s why I didn’t want to go downstairs.”

“She would have gotten to me sooner or later. She seemed hell-bent on getting her point across.”

He took my hand in his and held it to his lips. “Well, now you know exactly how I feel so it doesn’t matter what she or anyone else says. All right?”

I nodded in agreement.

“I told you I’m yours!” he reminded. “I knew you didn’t believe me! Do you believe me now?”

I felt silly for doubting him. “Yes!” I laughed out.

Ryan slipped his hand into my hair and held my face to his, kissing me passionately.

“Let’s go get you freshened up,” he suggested, rubbing his thumb under my eye.

“You know, if you were on set right now, you’d have a team of makeup artists touching up your face.”

“You speak from experience?” I muttered while reapplying some eyeliner. I already knew his answer.

“Yes, it’s true. I openly admit it. I wear makeup and lip color just about every day,” he stated in a joking fashion. “It’s quite emasculating, although

I do like the way my skin feels afterwards.”

I could tell by his theatrical performance that he was trying to lift my spirits. Try as he may, I still knew Suzanne was down there, eagerly awaiting

the result of her meddling.

“Wait, before we go, are you going to say anything to her?”

He sniffed. “I’m not sure yet. Do you want me to?”

“No!” I quickly answered. Fear of another confrontation drove my response.

“Are you sure?”

I knew he would defend me if I asked him to.

“Yes, I’m sure. I think it would be best to just leave it go.”

“Then I won’t say anything to her… here.”

Ryan stopped at the bottom of my stairwell. He pulled me in for a tender embrace and kissed me seductively. I couldn’t help but smile.

“That’s better!” He grinned. Ryan took my hand in his and pushed the door open.

I noticed that everyone was sitting separated; actors at one table and my friends were at another. Ryan set his plate down at the empty seat next

to Pete. He pulled out a chair for me to sit down next to him.

“Tar, what would you like to drink?” Ryan asked, resting his hand on my back.

I attempted to get up and serve myself, but he leaned over me, holding me in place.

“A glass of wine, please?”

Marie was just about to take a bite of food in her mouth when she flashed her eyes at me. She smiled at Ryan’s actions.

“You okay?” she mouthed.

I nodded and smiled.

She left out a sigh of relief and shot a dirty look at Suzanne.

Pete stood up and held his glass in the air after Ryan took his seat. “I’d like to make a toast. To my lovely Tammy, for staying up until three a.m.

making all this fabulous food, and to Taryn, for once again making the best steaks in Rhode Island! May we know how truly blessed we are having

these ladies in our lives.”

Pete leaned over and gave Tammy a nice kiss. He was so in love with her.

Ryan leaned over and whispered in my ear. “I am truly blessed.” He kissed me tenderly.

Once everyone finished eating and talking, Ryan and Pete were like the entertainment committee. Pete started a poker game with Kat, Ben,

Shane, and Tammy. There was a lot of hooting and hollering coming from the big table. They were having a good time.

Ryan and I played pool with Cal and Gary. Marie and Kelly were busy talking up a storm at the corner table in the poolroom. Kelly was a huge

celebrity advocate for breast cancer awareness and Marie had recently lost her favorite aunt to the disease. They were deep into their

conversation.

The sourpuss twins were off on their own, text messaging and calling people. That was until Francesca got brave enough to separate herself

from Suzanne and joined the poker game. Sure enough, Suzanne made her way over to the big table soon afterwards. It was apparent that they

were avoiding whatever room I was in.

Ryan never left my side or should I say, my back. No matter where I stood I could easily lean back and rest on him.

“Before I forget to tell you, I really like those boots,” he whispered in my ear. “You’re almost the perfect height.” He pulled my hip back so I’d

bump him and get his point.

“Do you want me to wear them later?” I asked privately in a joking fashion.

“Would you?” he whispered. “Every time you lean over the pool table, I just about go out of my mind,” he snickered in my ear.

I turned to him and looked him in the eyes.

“Question… the first day, here, in the poolroom, were you looking down my shirt?” I whispered.

“Maybe, but only once or twice.” He wet his lips and smiled. “I liked the lace that was on the edge of your bra. But what really got my attention

was when you were leaning into the cooler. Those jeans you were wearing – yum.”

He took a deep, sultry breath. “Although the ones you’re wearing now are definitely my new favorites. I’m looking forward to untying them with my

teeth later.”

“Just don’t rip them! They were expensive.”

He shrugged and scoffed. “I’ll give you my credit card – go buy yourself a dozen more. Tearing those jeans off of you is worth every penny I have.”

I dismissed his comment and continued our private conversation. “What about the distracting belly scratch? What did that do for you?”

He looked at me and smiled bashfully while he chewed on his straw. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

“Yes!”

He hesitated before answering. “I spent a few moments thinking about violating you on top of this pool table. Sort of the same thoughts I’m

having right now, but now my thoughts are more from memory and less from imagination.”

I heard something bump against the poolroom window, causing me to flinch from the sound. Since no one was near a window, it had to come

from the outside.

“I think someone is trying to look in the window.” I peered over Ryan’s shoulder to see.

He grabbed my forearm and stopped me from getting any closer.

“Don’t,” he warned. “Just ignore it.”

“Ignore what? What’s out there?”

“Paparazzi and fans. We’ve already been informed by our security.”

“Do you have security outside?”

“Yes,” he answered directly.

I tried to imagine it, picturing all their bodyguards and drivers just standing around outside in the cold… bored, hungry, and waiting for the

celebrities.

“Why didn’t you invite the security guys inside? They could’ve at least had some food.”

“No. Their job is to make sure we can relax and not worry about what they’re worrying about.”

“You’re going to be seen leaving here no matter what,” I muttered.

He ran his hand reassuringly over my arm. “Don’t worry about it.”

“But if you’re photographed leaving in the morning?” I asked. I didn’t care about me, I was worried about him.

He looked at me with a serious expression. “If I leave here tonight, the paparazzi might just think that I arrived first – alone, and that they missed

me. If I leave in the morning, then the cat’s out of the bag.”

“What are you going to do?” It was his decision.

“I know what I should do. But what I should do is not what I want to do. If I leave in the morning, they are going to start following you.” He

motioned his head towards the window.

“What difference does it make? You’ve been here twice, and now there’s a private party here. I’m sure the connection has been made.”

“If I leave in the morning, that’s it. It definitely begins. Are you ready for that?”

A few select words he said crossed through my mind: “I’m falling in love with you” and “girlfriend.” Then I thought about the freedom that I take for

granted every day. I would no longer walk around the Earth in complete anonymity.

“If you really meant all the words you said to me on the roof, then yes, I’m ready.”

“Taryn, I just want to protect you. You know that, right?”

I nodded. I knew he didn’t want me to be hounded. But how long could he, or would he, keep me a secret? I guess a little disappointment

showed on my face.

“Well, we don’t have to decide now. We still have a game to watch,” Ryan said, giving me hope.

I turned the channel to Sunday night football. The familiar background music started to play and a few of the guys mimicked the tones. It was

funny.

“We’re going to watch American football?” Suzanne whined.

Ryan turned and spoke over his shoulder. “We could call a car for you if you don’t want to stay.”

I smiled inside. He was being nice, but he really wanted to get rid of her.

“I can call for my own car, thank you,” she snapped back. I was glad to see her use her cell phone.

I carried a fresh pitcher of beer over to the guys. They were all lined up at the table closest to the television.

“Gary, get your money ready!” Ryan teased.

I filled Ryan’s empty glass with beer. It looked tasty so I took a sip then handed it to him. He took a big gulp and handed the glass back to me.

“You get your money ready,” Gary bantered back. “I already have one of your twenties in my wallet; just waiting for another one. Maybe you

should give that twenty to Taryn to keep warm for me.”

Ryan patted my leg. “Don’t you worry about this twenty. It’s nice and warm, and looking forward to having another twenty to be its friend.”

Ryan rested his arm on the back of my chair and whispered in my ear, “let’s do a shot.”

“Preference?”

“How about that tequila we had that one time?” Ryan answered. “Do you still have some?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I think there’s enough left in the bottle.”

“Well, let’s kill it. I’ll give you money for a new bottle. That stuff was good!”

Suzanne and Francesca put their coats on and then Suzanne announced their departure. Hardly anyone said goodbye to them. Kat yelled “see

ya” very loud, but her tone was definitely more dismissive rather than a sincere goodbye.

I heard some screams coming from the waiting fans when they departed through my front door, but the screaming didn’t last too long. Since the

screams were coming from females, the crowd outside was obviously waiting for actors, not actresses. My thoughts were that they were really

waiting for one actor in particular to emerge.

I had suspected, and Ryan had confirmed, that the paparazzi were staked outside my building – waiting. But it was only then, when Suzanne and

Francesca left, that the amount of paparazzi waiting became more apparent. The entire sidewalk and the full length of my exterior were illuminated

by flashes from the cameras, completely lighting up the darkness outside my windows.

Once Suzanne and Francesca left, it was like everyone inside could breathe again. The men were getting loud, shouting at the football game,

and the ladies had to yell just so we could have a conversation.

My attention focused back on Ryan when I saw him talking on his cell phone. He didn’t talk long, but whatever he heard pissed him off. He

pounded his fist into the table. I watched as he leaned over and said something in Cal’s ear. Cal just shook his head in disgust.