Page 61 of The Fake Script
24
Powerful
Emma
We’ve been back in New York for a few days now, but I’ve been avoiding Auston as much as possible. I still don’t know where I stand in the romance heroine department, and the less I see of him while I figure it out, the better. Because whenever I’m with him, I’m ready to surrender and let the author dictate my every move toward my happily ever after. Which is dangerous.Very dangerous.
If only Hayley and Alice were here. I may have shrugged it off and pretended our relationship was still fake when they asked about it, but I’m not so sure anymore. I wish they could help me sort this out.
I just need to stay away from Auston for a few more days, that’s all.
And I need coffee. I risk a glance through the window and see that everyone is talking and moving stuff around, which means they’re not shooting.
Tiptoeing downstairs, I glance around. Once I’m sure Auston isn’t here, I hustle across the street to Rise & Grind.
Of course. Why didn’t I think of them before? Maybe Mari and Beth can help me.
I push open the door of the coffee shop—which is thankfully empty—and they’re both chatting behind the counter.
“Hey!” Mari says with a large smile. “Already? Weren’t you just in here two hours ago?”
I roll my eyes. “You sound just like Auston. Shouldn’t you be thrilled that I’m back? I’m a loyal customer. We don’t shame you when you march in and buy stacks of books by the dozen.”
They both laugh. “She’s not wrong,” Beth says.
Mari raises her hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m just looking out for you.”
When Beth turns around to make memy coffee, I lean on the counter. “Speaking of Auston, there’s something I wanted to ask the two of you.”
“Sure,” Mari says, a crease forming on her forehead. “Everything okay?”
“Um, it’s kind of complicated, but I really need some guidance. Just promise me you won’t say a thing about this to anyone.”
“Of course.” Mari nods, very serious.
“Absolutely,” Beth chimes in, placing a steaming cup of coffee in front of me.
“Well, first of all, you need to know that—”
“Auston!” Mari exclaims, peering over my shoulder. “Coffee?”
“Hey, Marissa. Beth.” His deep voice sends a shiver through my body. “No, thanks.”
I wheel around, and his gaze falls on me. Instantly, I’m hit with the warm and fuzzies.Really?“I knew I’d find you here.”
Maybe he’s right. This coffee addiction really is getting out of hand.
“Um, can we talk?” he asks, cocking his head to the side.
I shoot the girls a purposeful glance, grab my coffee, and follow him outside.
“Have you been avoiding me?”he asks, leaning one shoulder against the brick wall.
I scrunch my face, shaking my head. “What? No. Of course not. I just had a lot to do after being away for a week, you know? Cleaning and stuff.” As if. Why would the place need cleaning if no one was there?
He arches an eyebrow. “Cleaning?”
“Uh-huh. So, what’s up?”