Page 40 of The Fake Script
“Just be careful out there, and don’t forget to come back,” I say, looking away as I try to keep my emotions at bay.
“Of course we will,” Alice says, leaning her head on my shoulder.
“You be careful too,” Hayley says, squeezing my hand before walking to the kitchen to grab some snacks. “You girls ready to go live on Insta?”
We all nod, and Alice and I walk to the living room.
Be careful . . .I know Hayley didn’t mean it like that, but I can’t help but think of Auston and our upcoming trip. Alice is right. Things are going to be different with us sleeping next door to each other. We’re going to be spending most of our time together, not to mention that everyone already thinks we’re dating. Maybe I should read a few more books before we go, just to prepare myself for any and all circumstances. At least he said I’ll have my own room, and I’m not walking intoa One Bed situation. Because there’s about a zero percent chance I’d survive that.
17
A First Night Out
Auston
“You didn’t pack much,” I say, glancing at Emma’s small overnight bag. “You do know we’re going for six days, right?”
She shrugs. “Yeah, I’m a light packer. Mostly leggings and T-shirts.”
I shrug, taking her bag and stowing it in the trunk. She opens the passenger door, and I’m about to take my seat when an idea strikes me. “Would you be more comfortable driving? I’m fine either way.”
She offers a shy smile. “Oh, I can’t. I don’t have my driver’s license.”
We both get in, and I start the engine. “No license, huh? I wouldn’t even consider that in LA.”
“Yeah. It’s a good thing I don’t need one here. I walk everywhere.”
“How long have you been living here?” I ask, eager to know everything that’s happened during our time apart.
“Not long. I used to live in a small town, not far from where we grew up. I worked at the town’s library, so I didn’t need a car.”
“So, you stayed in Wyoming?”
She lowers her gaze. “Yeah, after Grandma died, I was in a foster home, then I started working in the library. So I stuck around."
It’s as if someone just emptied an ice bucket over my head. “Your grandma died? I’m so sorry,” I say, gripping the wheel tight. “When?”
“About a year after you left.”
“Gosh.” I shake my head. “Emma, I’m so sor—”
She tuts. “We have rules, remember?”
My jaw clenches. I hate that she doesn’t want to talk about it when it clearly had a big impact on her life. “Well, we’re not currently in a fake-dating situation.”
“But we’re on our way to one. The rules still apply.”
I could argue that we’re actually on our way to a work function, but I’m too stunned to gather my thoughts. My only consolation, all this time, was that Emma still had her grandma. That she wasn’t alone. I guess I was wrong. I would have known that if I’d had the decency to call her. But I didn’t know what to say. I was a stupid kid, and the more time that had passed, the more awkward the idea became.
I force the thoughts out of my head and focus on the present. She’s here now. I have a chance to redeem myself. And this time, I won’t screw it up.
We make it to Porthaven about an hour before sunset. The small hotel that production rented is already bustling with crew members when we step through the front entrance.
After grabbing my key from reception, the two of us walk to my room on the third floor. We only have one key, but the connecting room has been booked for Emma. Robyn came earlier to set it up for us—a way to keep up our charade while letting us each have our own room.
As anticipated, the connecting door is unlocked.
“There you go,” I say to Emma, swinging it open. “Just remember to come through my door to go in or out, just in case Ma—Madison! What are you doing here?” I exclaim. She’s right here in Emma’s room,sauntering out of the bathroom draped in a bath towel.