Sweet Little Lies (12 page)

TO: VERONICA BLISS

FROM: MADISON PARKER

SUBJECT: RE: RE: WTF???

Nothing new on Jane at the moment. She’s back at work and she’s not seeing anyone as far as I know.

Veronica exhaled sharply. Was Madison an idiot or what?

TO: MADISON PARKER

FROM: VERONICA BLISS

SUBJECT: RE: RE: RE: WTF???

FYI, “Nothing new,” “back at work,” and “not seeing anyone” isn’t news. You can’t get something for nothing.

Veronica swore under her breath. If Madison couldn’t deliver, then she would have to cultivate other sources. Through the window, she saw Diego talking to himself. Honestly! She was surrounded by idiots.

Did she have to do everything herself?

A smallding! from her laptop indicated a new email. She glanced at her mailbox quickly, guessing that it was another whiny response from Madison.

It wasn’t. Veronica didn’t recognize the sender’s address, and there was no name attached. But the subject line intrigued her, and it was kind of a bizarre coincidence, considering.

TO: VERONICA BLISS

RE: MADISON PARKER

Madison isn’t who she says she is. Interested?

Veronica read the message again. She rubbed her eyes, calculating. Reply or not reply?Not reply, she decided after a moment, slamming her laptop shut. It was probably just Madison pretending to have dirt on herself. Or some other nutcase, fishing for attention. It seemed that everyone wanted their fifteen minutes these days.

17

HOW TO ACT FOR THE CAMERAS

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It was a beautiful night in Los Angeles—stars glittered in the sky and a warm breeze carried the scent of jasmine and eucalyptus. But Jane had no time to enjoy any of it as she hurried into Beso, trying to avoid the photographers whose flashbulbs popped like firecrackers as they shouted questions at her:

“Jane, how ’bout a smile?”

“Jane, are you and Jesse getting back together?”

“Jane, can I get an over-the-shoulder?”

Jane wished, fleetingly, that Sam were with her—Sam the publicist, whom Jane had decided to sign with (along with R.J. the agent) after discussing it with her parents over the weekend. Jane still wasn’t 100

percent sure that she needed a publicist, but she got the feeling that if Sam were with her right now, she would usher Jane through this gauntlet of paparazzi like a pro.

As Jane entered the restaurant and greeted the hostess, she spotted several PopTV camera guys in the dining room, ready to film. She wondered if Jesse was already there, or if she was the first to arrive.Deep breaths , she told herself.So you’re having dinner with your ex-boyfriend. On-camera. The same ex-boyfriend you cheated on, a mistake that millions of people know about. No big deal.

After Jane had been miked in the alley behind the restaurant, Matt, the director, had rushed up to her and given her instructions on how she should walk to the table. (Apparently, he had a great shot from the second floor.) Jane saw Jesse sitting at a table surrounded by bright lights in the center of the massive room. He saw her, too. His face lit up, and he gave her a small wave. He actually seemed glad to see her, which was a relief.

When he’d texted her yesterday, asking if they could get together for dinner tonight, she hadn’t known why or what to expect; she just knew she had to see him. She’d already had a shoot scheduled—just her and Scar at the apartment. Unfortunately, the rest of Jane’s week was equally jam-packed. So she’d called Trevor and asked if they could postpone the shoot, explaining the reason. He’d immediately suggested that they shoot Jane and Jesse’s dinner out instead, even naming Beso as a location, saying that he liked the lighting and the cooperative management there. Jane had said no at first—she wanted to have some privacy, and she figured Jesse would, too. But Trevor had been so convincing, insisting that it would be a way for PopTV viewers to see that Jane and Jesse had moved on. Jane had finally agreed, and Jesse had agreed as well.

As for Scar…well, she had been less than happy about this change in plans (although normally she would have welcomed any excuse to get out of shooting), and made her usual negative remarks about Jesse, which Jane had basically tuned out—actually,literally tuned out, with her iPod headphones and Death Cab for Cutie.

A moment later, Matt told Jane they were ready for her. She took a breath, then wove her way through the room per Matt’s instructions.

When she reached the table, Jesse rose to his feet. He looked…gorgeous. There was no other word for it. His charcoal gray button-down shirt complemented his light brown wavy hair, and his tailored black slacks accentuated his muscular build. Even his black Gucci loafers and silver TAG Heuer watch were perfect.

He smiled at her. “Hey.”

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“Hey.” Jane slid into the seat across from him, quickly, because she wanted to avoid an awkwardshould we hug or kiss each other on the cheek or what? moment. “Sorry I’m late.”

“Late? It’s only five after eight. That’s early for you.”

“Ha, ha. True.”

Jesse’s gaze traveled the length of her, from her beige silk one-shoulder dress to her Jimmy Choo peep-toe pumps. “You look nice.”

“Thanks. So do you.” Jane shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

They looked at each other; then Jane dropped her eyes, fumbling with her napkin. She noticed that the glass in front of him contained mostly melted ice cubes. Obviously he had already polished off a drink.

The waitress came by. “Can I get you a cocktail to start?” she asked Jane. She turned to Jesse.

“Another ginger ale for you?”

Jane raised her eyebrows. Ginger ale? Jesse? She’d figured scotch on the rocks or a gin and tonic, and that he was already halfway to wasted….Guess I was wrong, she thought.

“I might switch to wine,” Jesse told her. “Jane?”

“Um, just water. Thanks.” Jane knew that, unlike the clubs where they usually filmed, restaurants were likely to card. And her fake ID had become increasingly difficult to use after people realized her name wasn’t Jillian McManus.

“Red wine for me,” Jesse said. “I’ll try the cab.”

“Sure thing,” the waitress said before walking away.

Jesse leaned back in his chair and gazed at Jane. “So. How are you?”

“You know. Okay. Ish.”

“Yeah, me too.” Jesse was smiling as he said this, but Jane couldn’t help but notice a little sadness in his expression.

“So what’d you do for Christmas?” Jane asked, deciding to start with something positive.

“My mom invited a bunch of friends for dinner. It was like the who’s who of Hollywood forty-somethings. My dad’s filming a new movie in Australia, and he couldn’t get away.”

“What’s the movie about?”

Jesse shrugged. “Not sure. I think it’s some kinda indie-artsy thing. It’s being directed by that Italian guy, Michaelangelo what’s-his-name.”

“Wow, cool.”

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“I guess. You know, if you’re into indie or artsy.” Jesse smiled at her. “So. What’dyou do for Christmas?” he asked.

“I went home to Santa Barbara and hung out with my parents and my sisters.”

“That must have been fun,” he said sincerely. “You hadn’t seen them in a little while, right?”

“Yeah, it was nice to see them.”

Jesse picked up his menu, and Jane followed suit. But she had a hard time concentrating on it; she was so nervous, and yet at the same time oddly comfortable. As though she and Jesse had never broken up.

As though the whole Braden thing had never happened.

Ugh, Braden.D had texted her on Saturday, saying that he’d read on a blog that Braden had gotten a part in some new show based on a book series. The news had finally given her an excuse to send the email she’d been meaning to:

Hey. I heard you got a part on a big show. Congratulations! That’s huge.

If and when you’re ready to talk, please call or text me. I feel so bad about what happened and I’m sorry you got dragged into all of this. I never wanted you to get hurt.

Love,

Jane

Braden still hadn’t replied, nearly three days later. Would he ever? Was he so mad at her that he was never going to speak to her again? Could she really blame him? She had ruined his oldest friendship, with Jesse. And embarrassed him in the national media.

After the waitress came back with their drinks and took their orders, Jesse asked Jane how work was going, and she filled him in on the Crazy Girl Valentine’s Day party at the Tropicana and how excited she was that Fiona was entrusting her with such a major assignment. By the time their food arrived, the conversation had shifted to the topic of…them.

“I’m glad we talked at the New Year’s party.” Jesse picked up his glass and watched the way the light danced on it.

“Yeah, me too.”

“Because the truth is, I’ve kinda missed you.”

“You have?”

“Yeah.”

“Really?”

Jesse grinned. “Really.”

“I’ve kinda missed you, too.”

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“Really?”

They both laughed, awkwardly, because they knew how silly they sounded. Jane wasn’t sure what they were doing, talking about missing each other. She hadn’t expected this. She had expected…what? Small talk. Catching up. Thinly veiled hostility. Her apologizing some more. Jesse saying that he forgave her.

The two of them insincerely promising that they’d stay in touch as they air-kissed good-bye.

Jesse reached across the table and laced his fingers through hers, tentatively, as if he were uncertain as to whether she might pull back. She didn’t. She was still so confused about everything—about Jesse, about Braden, even about Caleb—but she knew for sure that she liked the feel of his hand on hers, so she held it tight.

“Hey.” Jesse glanced toward the camera crew. “You wanna get out of here?” he asked her quietly.

Jane hesitated for a moment. Then nodded.

“Good. Me too.”

Jesse signaled to the waitress for a check. A split second later, Dana came rushing up to their table.

When did she arrive?

“You guys are doing great! But could you hang out here for a min while we set up outside to film your exit? Awesome, thanks!” With that, Dana was gone, speaking rapidly into her headset.

Jesse’s eyes twinkled. “See, youcan’t go out with any other guys besides me, because I’m the only one who’ll put up with her telling us what to do on dates.”

Jane shrugged and smiled at him. “That’s what I like about you—you’re very obedient.”

“Seriously. I mean, what other guys are cool with being miked every time they walk into a place with you? You’re lucky I’m so understanding,” Jesse teased her.

“Yeah, it’s such a huge burden, having to be on TV all the time,” Jane teased him back.

Jane watched as the camera guys hauled their equipment through the dining room and out the door. She and Jesse were now officially off-camera—at least for a “min.”

There was something she had been meaning to talk to him about. Maybe this was her chance.

Or maybe she should just drop it.

Just do it,she told herself. She leaned forward, lowering her voice. “So there’s something I have to ask you. I’m really sorry to have to bring this up. But it’s about those pictures.”

Jesse’s smile vanished, but Jane forced herself to go on.

“Madison thinks either you or Scar gave them toGossip magazine. Which is crazy, I know, but—”

“Madison?” Jesse cut in. His jaw clenched angrily. “She said that? Are you fucking kidding me?”

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Jane was stunned by Jesse’s furious response and wished she could go back to three minutes ago, before she had said anything. “Okay, okay,” she said, holding up her hands. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”

She had been 99.9 percent sure of his innocence before. She was 100 percent sure now.

“Madison’s the one who should be sorry. She’s lying to you; don’t you know that?She’s the one who gave the pictures toGossip. Didn’t Scarlett tell you?”

Jane sighed. Obviously, Jesse and Scar still shared the same delusional ideas about Madison. Just as Madison hadher delusional ideas about Jesse and Scar.

This was getting to be too much. Her friends had to stop fighting and making up horrible stories about one another. Besides, Jane was more convinced than ever that the pictures were the work of some random (evil) photographer. After all, Madison had totally been there for her through all the recent craziness, proving she was too good a friend to do something so low. And Madison was so wrong about Scarlett (and Jesse, too). Even though Jane and Scar weren’t exactly getting along these days, Jane knew Scar would never do that to her.

Jesse was still bad-mouthing Madison when Jane interrupted.

“Okay, okay,” Jane said, giving Jesse a look that (she hoped) conveyed to him that the subject was now off-limits. Forever. “Can we just go?”

Jesse’s expression stayed stern. “Sure,” he said coldly.

As Jesse paid the check, Jane peered at her phone and saw a text from Dana, saying that the camera guys were ready. Jane slid her phone over to Jesse so he could read the text, too.

Jesse rose from the table, helping Jane out of her chair and then taking her arm and leading her to the door. As they wove through the dining room, a group of young women snapped pictures of them with their cell phones. Jane heard one of them say, “I thought they broke up?”

Outside, she saw theL.A. Candy guys in position, filming her and Jesse’s exit—and then, a few feet behind them, the paparazzi. Dana was standing there, not yelling at them to scram as she usually did, but simply watching Jane and Jesse and talking quietly to someone on her headset. What, had theL.A. Candy crew formed some sort of an alliance with the tabloid photographers? As soon as she and Jesse walked out of frame, the paparazzi came toward them at once.