Page 91 of Fangirl

I blink, stunned. “Will Winters?”

His grin widens. “The one and only.”

The grief, the nausea, the humiliation—all of it evaporates, swept away in a sudden, violent wave of rage.

My hands ball into fists at my sides. “Get. Out.”

He has the audacity to laugh like I’ve just told him the punchline of a joke. “Nah, can’t do that. See, sunshine, I’m here on official best-friend business.” He gestures vaguely at my phone, still clutched in my hand. “Saw the headlines,I assume?”

The mention of it sends fresh bile rising in my throat.

“Yeah,” he continues, his expression sobering. “That’s why I’m here. Because Jake? He’s about five seconds away from losing his damn mind. And you?” He glances at me, eyes scanning me in a way that feels entirely too perceptive. “You look like you’re two seconds from falling apart.”

I swallow hard, my back still pressed to the door like it’s the only thing holding me up.

“So,” Will says, slipping his hands into his pockets. “We’re gonna fix this. Or at least, I’m gonna try.”

I narrow my eyes, my voice trembling but sharp. “Why? Why the hell would you care?”

His smirk fades into something softer, almost… sincere. “Because, sweetheart… I’m not the only one who thinks he doesn’t deserve you. But unfortunately, you’re the only one he wants.” He exhales hard, scrubbing a hand over his face. “And fuck me if my man doesn’t get his unicorn.”

The words make absolutely no sense. I stare at him like he’s grown two heads. “What?”

Will just shakes his head and peels off his sunglasses. Bloodshot, bleary eyes stare back at me.

And despite everything—despite the anger still simmering in my chest—I almost laugh. Because standing in my crappy kitchen, looking like absolute hell, is Will Winters—Hollywood’s golden boy. And for the first time since last night… I don’t feel like the biggest mess in the room.

My hair’s a disaster, and my cheeks are crusted with dried tears… but hey, misery loves company.

Will leans against the counter. “You’re being a stubborn little shit, you know that? I spent half the night stopping my man from spiraling—talking him down from doing something really fucking stupid. Like booking an exclusive interview just to declare his undying love for you on national TV.”

That stings.Would it be so bad?“And… would that really be the worst thing?” I ask quietly.

Will snorts. “For him? Nah. He’s an idiot; he’d survive. You though?” He shakes his head. “People love a hate wagon, sweetheart. And trust me, it’s already rolling.”

I sigh and glance down at my phone, still gripped tight in my hands. “You don’t say…”

Will smirks. “Ah. You read the comments, too, huh? Rookie mistake. You’ll learn.”

“I’ll learn?” I echo bitterly.

He just shrugs, lazily scratching Pea behind the ears—which is unsettling because Pea hates the entire world. Yet here he is, purring like he’s been waiting for him all along.

“Traitor,” I mutter at Pea, but the cat doesn’t even flinch, melting under his touch.

I shake my head, swallowing hard. “I don’t want to learn. I don’t belong in that world. And seriously, what the hell are you even doing here? How did you find me?”

Will’s grin is pure mischief. “Sweetheart, I’m Will Winters. Make me a coffee, and maybe I’ll tell you all my secrets.”

I narrow my eyes. “Pretty sure most of your secrets would scar me for life.” Then I pause, exhaling. “You called the car company, didn’t you? Had them give you myaddress.”

His pout is almost… charming. “Smart girls are no fun.”

Against every ounce of better judgment, I turn toward the coffee machine. “Fine. But just so you know, I’m giving you the mug.”

Will squints. “The mug?”

I slam it down on the counter. A pastel pink thing that reads “I’m here for the smut” in glittery script.