Page 57 of Vain

“Fuck that. You get to feel exactly how you feel, Tilly. And from the sound of it, you’ve been trying to figure everything out for most of your life alone.”

“How is it you get me so easily when, for most of my life, I felt like I was speaking another language?”

“Probably because I actually listen to you. How you turned out so amazing when you’re surrounded by so much toxic crap is beyond me.”

I shrug. “Even flowers need shit to grow.”

He grins as my cell phone rings. I fumble for my bag, the seatbelt holding me hostage for a second before I manage to grabit. I rummage around until I find my phone and smile when I see who is FaceTiming me.

I accept the call and see a huge grin that matches my own. “Hey, Zoe. How are you doing?”

“I’m okay. Bored, though.”

“Ugh, that’s the worst.” I know from her social worker that she doesn’t get a whole lot of social interaction with kids her age. There aren’t many peers in the home she’s staying in and she has spent a lot of time sick or healing. Nobody knows what to say to a little girl who lives her life on the outside looking in. Some kids are curious about her scars, others are just downright cruel about them, and it breaks my heart every time she calls me in tears.

I’m so damn thankful that I was permitted to send her the phone and tablet so we could stay in touch. I know firsthand how much that loneliness can eat away at your soul.

“Well, Aiden and I are heading to the studio. You want to come to work with us for the day?”

“Really?” her eyes widen in both shock and delight.

“Absolutely.”

She squeals, making Aiden chuckle. “Nah, she doesn’t sound that excited to me,” he jokes.

“Are you kidding? I am too excited. Will I get to see real-life movie stars?”

I turn the phone so she can see both of us.

“Oh, how quickly your shine has worn off,” Aiden teases me.

“Stop being mean, Aiden. Matilda will always be my favorite. She’s my best friend.”

He looks at me as I swallow a lump in my throat. Everything I went through—it was all worth it for moments like this.

He winks at her. “Me too, kiddo. Me too.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

AIDEN

I spent most of the day showing Zoe around the set while keeping one eye on Tilly. She introduced a couple of the actors to Zoe, who I thought would faint with shock. By the time Zoe was collected for dinner, the cell phone was almost dead.

“Go eat and get some rest. You’ve been yapping all day, and I’m sure your jaw aches,” I tease. She rolls her eyes and glares at me, and I won’t lie, it kind of makes me melt. Something about seeing this girl, who has been to hell and back, feel comfortable enough to sass me makes everything seem a little brighter.

She pouts. “Okay, fine.”

“Chin up, kiddo, I might have sent a package for you. I don’t have cool movie star friends like Matilda, but?—”

“You don’t need them. You’re pretty cool already,” she interrupts. I smile widely, making her dip her head to hide her own smile.

“I think you’re pretty cool, too, Zoe.”

She looks off-screen for a minute, nodding before turning back to me. “I’ve gotta go. Can you say bye to Matilda for me?”

“Of course. Speak to you later.”

“Bye.”