Page 29 of Secrets in the Deep

“The woman’s in acoma, Faye.” Preston sighed. “God, you’re a bitch.”

“She’s not dead.” Faye rolled her eyes.

Emily’s phone vibrated with a text.

Mom: Where are you? I’m in your room to go through lines but you’re not here.

Emily: I’m out for breakfast.

Mom: I thought we were having breakfast together? Really, Emily, why don’t you update me on these things?

Emily: I’ll be back soon.

She loved her mother, she really did. But God, the woman had been a lot in the last five years. She’d been a lot before that too, but she’d progressively become more controlling since Emily had achieved real fame, wanting to micromanage every little detail of her life.

Two girls who looked to be maybe twelve or thirteen came over to the table, their smiles shy.

“Hi.” The blonde fiddled with the phone in her hand. “Emily, I’m such a big fan. And Preston…you’re…you’re amazing!”

There was a noticeable sag of Faye’s shoulders.

Emily slipped her practiced smile into place. “What are your names?”

“I’m Cassie, and this is Charity.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Cassie and Charity. This is Faye Parker. She’s been in a few shows you might know, too.”

Faye straightened as the girls asked her what she’d been in.

As they talked, the door to the café opened and Connor and Ryan walked in.

Oh no…she’d basically summoned him, right? Looking for him out the window and now he was here. And she had no idea if she was happy to see him.

Shedidknow that her heart raced far too quickly.

They hadn’t spoken about the kiss. And maybe a small part of her thought he might have called or texted, especially after the knee confession.

He hadn’t. And that should not be something that hurt her.

He dipped his chin toward her. She offered a small smile in return before shifting her attention back to the table to see the girls turn to Faye.

“Would you be able to take a photo of us with Preston and Emily?”

Oh, God. This wouldn’t help Faye’s insecurities about not having “made it.”

Without even a hint of a smile, Faye took the phone and said in a flat voice, “Sure.”

Emily stood, and Preston immediately pulled her into his side. The girls positioned themselves on either side of them.

Another professional smile fell across Emily’s face as Faye snapped the photos.

Emily shouldn’t look at him. She absolutely shouldn’t.

She did. And as per usual, Ryan’s dark, intense eyes were already on her.

Quickly, she looked away. The girls had just left when a guy set two stacks of pancakes on the table, and a green salad.

Faye sighed, eyeing Emily’s pancakes. “Really? You can eat all that and stay that size?”