Red Lines by T.A. Foster

wrap, it’s over. I won’t see her until premiere week. This will all be over.”
    Haven nodded, but she felt as if she was agreeing to something she didn’t truly believe.
    “You know it doesn’t mean anything, right? It’s acting. I’m only acting.”
    She tried to nod her head.
    “How about we get some sleep? It’s late and we’ve both had a long day.” He maneuvered around her, pulled the covers back, and then adjusted the pillows. “We can talk some more tomorrow. I don’t have to be on the set until noon. We can sleep in. Have a nice breakfast.”
    How was she supposed to fall asleep next to him now knowing the marks on his back were real, and his hands had been on someone else?
    It wasn’t the night of passion and heated abandon she had planned, but she curled up against Evan, his palm planted on her hip. Within minutes, his breathing was slow and rhythmic, but all she could think about was that he had just spent the day in bed with Emmy.
    She clung to the hope that, in the morning, she would wake up and all of this would be a dream. It was part of some big misunderstanding caused by an acute case of jetlag. There was nothing ok with this situation. If it wasn’t a dream, she was going to have to figure out a way to deal with being in love with the man staring in the most talked about movie on the planet.
    And his ex.
     
    E VAN’S VOICE was muffled. He was in a serious discussion with someone. She threw back the covers and padded into the next room.
    “I can’t keep her cooped up in here.” His back was to Haven. She listened. “This is crazy. I should be able to go out. Can’t you do something about it, Jeff?” Evan paused. “I know, I know, but it was a surprise to me too. I didn’t know she was flying out. And what the hell is this ‘Evmy’ crap?”
    Haven felt a sour pit fire in her stomach. She turned from the conversation and rushed to the bathroom. This was all a mistake. She should have stayed in Austin and worked on her music, or flown home to see her parents. Her mother was dying for her to make a trip.
    She splashed cold water on her face and brushed her teeth. There had to be a way to get out of L.A. When she finally emerged, Evan was standing in front of a room service cart pouring two cups of coffee.
    “How’d you sleep?” he asked.
    “Fine.” She didn’t like the awkwardness that was starting to spread between them any more than his diversion tactics.
    “I thought we’d order some room service. These omelets aren’t as good as Lenny’s, but I had them add extra bacon for you.” He winked and motioned for her to join him.
    She sat at the bistro table in front of the balcony, feeling stiff and guarded. How was he able to act like everything was normal? He was one half of “Evmy.” That was not normal.
    He sat across from her. “I need to talk to you about something.”
    “Ok.” She wasn’t interested in touching breakfast. The weight on her chest kept her from being able to breathe. It was like a vice had been fastened to her chest, and every time Evan spoke, someone cranked the handle on her back, making even a whisper impossible.
    “So, here’s what’s going on.” He flashed a grin. The one she had seen on the front of magazine covers. “I was talking to Jeff, and he thinks it’s best if we aren’t seen in public together while you’re in town.” He picked up a piece of toast and slathered it with butter.
    “What? I don’t understand?” It sounded like he just said she was a hideous toad that he couldn’t be seen with in public.
    “Remember the plan I had to keep the press away from you? Well, now that we’re both in L.A., it isn’t going to work out like that. If they see me with you, it’s only going to ramp things up worse than they’ve ever been. Do you understand? They’re like sharks when they get a whiff of the tiniest amount of blood.”
    The burning in the back of her throat and eyes was almost unbearable. She pushed back from the