Page 126 of Relationship Goals

“No. We aren’t doing teeth.”

“But—”

“No. I have to meet Jason for drinks, and I am not sitting here and making you any uglier than I already have.” He sniffs, and I sigh.

“Fine. How is Jason?”

“He’s good. He’s going to get a kick out of the latest installment of ‘my movie-star best friend might actually be coming unglued,’ ” he says with a snort. Makeup tubes and containers clack against each other as he carefully repacks everything.

“I am not coming unglued.” Then, in the same breath, “I’m also not a movie star.”

He cuts me a brief look as he continues to pack his bag. “Yet. This film is going to put you on the map, Abs.”

I bite my cheeks, uncomfortable with his sincerity. “I hope so.”

“You’re already successful as hell.” He flicks his hand, gesturing to the bathroom I’ve just had renovated. “Look at this place. Look at what you’ve accomplished.” His brow furrows, and he places his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look up at him.

“Honey, what’s wrong? What is it about this one man that has gotten under your skin so badly?”

I shrug him off, annoyed at his questions. “I’m tired of people using me to get ahead,” I tell him. “Isn’t that enough?”

“Abs, this is unhinged behavior.” He points at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. “I know you have a big, hilarious, chaotic personality, and I love that about you. But even for you, this is a bit much. I’m a little worried about you.”

I frown at him, and it’s a testament to how great he is at makeup that nothing cracks or feels loose on my face.

“Ew,” he says with a laugh. “That right there. That will run him off.” He sighs, rolling his eyes. “All I’m saying is, maybe you should think hard about why you’re so determined to make him pay instead of making a clean break. If you’re so upset about the idea of him using you, then maybe you’re in the wrong industry, Abs.”

I scoff, picking at my cuticles.

“I think…maybe you should dig a little deeper about why you’re so upset. That’s all I’m gonna say about it.”

I glance back up at him. “Liar.”

“You’re right,” he says cheerfully. “I will absolutely keep scolding you about this as long as you keep this up.”

He looks around the room for any misplaced makeup, then nods once. “Right. I’m off.” I lean in and he air-kisses both my cheeks. “Please don’t go out in public like that,” he says with a rueful glance. “You’ll be the death of poor Jean.”

“I won’t,” I promise him. I trail after him as he wheels his makeup kit out the front door, and we blow each other one last kiss before he gets into his car and drives off.

Of course, now that he’s told me not to go out in public like this, all I want to do is…go out in public like this.

I sigh, leaning against the doorframe only to realize my neighbor’s stopped dead in the street, staring at me.

I wave at her, then hustle inside and close the door behind me.

Maybe Darren has a point.

About staying home tonight, at least.

As for whatever he was trying to say about Luke and me—I’m not sure I want to think too hard about any of that.

I rub my hands together and sink into a hunched half crouch.

“He’s not ready for thisssss, is he, precious?”

Chapter Thirty-six

Luke