Page 16 of Vain

The girl I’d watched out of the corner of my eye made her way over with a swish of her hips and a flick of her hair.

“Aren’t you supposed to be reading over the script changes?” I ask, not taking my eyes off Tilly as she talks through a scene with a red-haired girl and a dark-haired guy. Both of them look like they could still be in high school, but then, judging from the girl next to me, maybe that’s the point.

“She’s busy with Jade and Justin. I’m not concerned, though. My agent told me I’m perfect for the part.”

I bite my lip to keep myself from saying something dickish.

“So…like, are you both together, or do you…you know, want to get a smoothie or a bubble tea or something?”

I turn to look at her then and frown. “No.”

I turn back to Tilly, who’s looking around before she turns to me. She spots the girl next to me, and her expression tightens.

I mouthhelp meto her, which earns me an eye roll.

“Is that a no, you two aren’t together? Because I know this great little place that has the best?—”

“It’s a no to you.”

“So you are together. Bummer.”

“Yeah, we’re together,” I tell her as Tilly finally takes pity on me and starts walking my way.

“Well, I won’t tell if you don’t tell. Everyone knows she rarely leaves her house. We could meet up in secret. I could make it worth your while.” She lowers her voice to a whisper as she reaches for me.

I snap my hand out and grab her wrist when she’s an inch from my dick. “Don’t. I’m not yours to touch. I’m hers,” I growl as Tilly steps up to us with a frown on her face.

“What’s going on?”

“Your stupid boyfriend got aggressive with me for no reason.”

I shake my head and release her.

She rubs her wrist dramatically, fake tears springing to her eyes. “I was just asking if he was okay. I know this must be hard on you, being out and about after what happened. Then he grabbed my arm and tried to make me touch him.”

“That’s enough,” Tilly snaps at her, her voice like a whip. “I saw what went down, Lisa. I was just curious to see if what they said about you being a liar and a troublemaker was true. I don’t like to listen to rumors, preferring to make up my own mind about things.”

“I didn’t do anything?—”

“If he had reached over and tried to grab your vagina, you’d be singing a different tune right now. Consent works both ways. I don’t give a fuck if you’re a man or a woman, and I’ll be damned if I let you taint this movie with that attitude.”

She turns to me. “Do you want to press charges?”

I let out a relieved sigh. I wasn’t sure how she would react. “No. I just want her to back off.”

“Done.” She turns back to Lisa, who looks pissed enough to explode. “It goes without saying you’re not right for the part. I think it’s time you leave before I have security escort you out.”

“Fuck you. Wait until I go to the media with this. I can’t believe you’d let your boyfriend manhandle me like this,” she yells, getting everyone’s attention.

Matilda steps closer to me and takes my hand this time. “Fiancé, actually.” She squeezes my hand in a “just go with it”kind of way. She doesn’t have to ask me twice. With her free hand, she points to the multiple cameras around the room.

“You do what you have to do, Lisa, but just know I’ll be contacting the studio’s legal team the second you leave. And if you conspire to slander my partner, movie, or anyone else here today, I’ll release the tape to the media so they can see exactly what kind of person you are. You can watch those auditions dry up real quick.”

Lisa stomps her foot and snarls before spinning on her high heels and stomping off-set.

Tilly pulls out her cell and fires off a text. “Security is coming to grab her to make sure she actually leaves.

“Alright, everyone. Sorry for the drama. Why don’t you all take ten minutes to go over the changes and grab a drink? Then, I’ll pair you up for your read-throughs. Sound good?”