Page 123 of More For Me

“Oooh,” June says, clapping her hands. “That would be great TV.”

“I think I’ll pass,” Everly says, shooting me a panicked look, and just like that I’ve had more than enough of this.

“Fox, you haven’t even told us what the movie is about yet,” I say. I lock gazes with him, hoping he’ll get the message.Change the fucking subject.

“It’s a great script,” he says, and I make a mental note to stock the fridge with his favorite beer.

Apparently mentioning the movie was the magic formula, because James and June are both eager to talk about it. For the first time all day, James doesn’t even look like a conceited dickbag. He actually seems to be excited about the script and the director they’re working with.

Luckily talk about the movie carries us through the remainder of the meal. If you had told me a few months ago that I’d be having lunch with two of the most famous people in Hollywood, my ridiculous, celebrity-loving ass would have been thrilled. But now all I can think about is how early we can leave without being rude.

“This was so great,” June says once the waiter leaves with the check—she insisted on paying. She reaches over and touches Alex’s hand, even though she’s barely said two words all day. “I just know we’re all going to be great friends.”

“Um, yeah,” Alex says, managing to smile. “I hope so.”

“What are you guys up to tonight?” June barrels on. “Because there’s this club opening I have to be at, which is super lame, but after that some friends and I are clubbing downtown.”

Alex looks momentarily panicked but then her face relaxes. “I’m sorry, my fiancé is taking me out.”

June gives another dreamy sigh. “Wyatt Ransome isgorgeous. That storyline where the two of you got together? Amazing. I wish you’d both be on the show more.”

Alex blinks a few times, no doubt weirded out by June referring to her relationship as a storyline, but the actress is already turning to me and Everly. “What about you? Can you both come out?”

“We’re going camping this afternoon,” Everly says immediately. “Rain check?”

June looks a little crestfallen, but she manages to smile. “Definitely. And that’s so cute! The two of you going camping together.” Now she looks straight up sad. Or maybe lonely.

“I can go out,” Fox says, and her face lights up again as she turns to him.

“Awesome!”

“Now you won’t be stuck alone with the bulimia brigade,” her brother mutters.

“That’s a terrible thing to say,” June snaps.

He shrugs. “And your friends are terrible people.”

She shoots him a glare and he holds up his hands, looking genuinely sorry. “Apologies. I just think you can do better than bitches who only use you for your money and name.”

June’s jaw is tight but she seems to force it to relax when she looks back to us. “Well, hopefully this is the start of some brand-new friendships, right?”

“For sure,” Everly says. I can’t really picture her hanging out with these people—and I definitely can’t picture Alex ever willingly being in the same room as them again—but there’s a flash of sympathy in Everly’s eyes when she stands up to hug June goodbye.

Everly and I wait until we’re back in the car to look at each other. The second our eyes meet, we both burst into laughter. “That wasawful,” she says.

“I am so disillusioned right now,” I confess. “Do you think everyone in Hollywood is like that?”

“God, I hope not.” She shudders. “If Fox starts acting that way, it will break my heart.”

“If Fox starts acting that way, Daisy will lock him in a closet until he gets over himself.”

“Good point.” She leans into my shoulder. “I kind of feel sorry for June, though. She seems lonely to me.”

I kiss the top of her head and murmur something non-committal. I got the same feeling, but I’m not inclined to feel bad for someone who encouraged my girlfriend to pretend to date someone else for the sake of PR.