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In the five months following Fred and Tammy's wedding, we'd been to California, Portugal, England, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and back to England while Lisa was filming the third Seaside.

Lisa's planning and scheming had paid off. While she spent twelve-or even fourteen-hour days filming, I was happy and content spending time with my best friend. I had long ago come to know that Mike's salary was paid mostly by the studios since personal security was written into Lisa's contracts and it was part of her appearance rider and now that rider also included a security team. Hyunji had often joke with me that I was paying her to be my friend.

Hyunji and I kept ourselves very busy, planning on everything from home décor for the enormous house that was waiting for the spring thaw to be built to naming the production company Lisa and I wanted to start. Spending time hanging out with the cast and crew of Seaside also made the days blur and blend into one hell of a good time. I had taken over managing Lisa's affairs, working like a personal assistant on most days. I didn't mind; our hectic schedule and active social calendar kept me out of trouble.

I even found a new friend in Lisa's lawyer, Len Bainbridge, when he helped me clear up the nearly $1 million estate that the sweet Jimmy Pop left behind. The Children's of Los Angeles was very grateful when Lisa and I presented them with a check in Jimmy Pop's memory.

That was a wonderful day.

Everything was going tremendously well at Kim's Pub, too. Fred had hired several new staff members to support the growing demand for Tammy's gourmet dishes that she was whipping up in the kitchen. Maggie, the elderly lady who owned the bakery opposite my pub—the one that Lisa had escaped through the first day that we met—was looking to retire and sell her store as well. Tammy had hired several people and was hoping to run the catering out of the bakery. So we were working on that plan.

Hyunji joked that I could run a multimillion-dollar corporation from my cell phone and laptop. I was starting to agree with her.

But now we were in Manhattan, getting ready to kick off the first day of press tours for the premiere of Lisa's film Thousand Miles. We'd landed in New York yesterday and everything was going rather smoothly until we arrived for her press interviews and I spotted "them." Suddenly my hands were sweaty, my senses were on high alert, it was hard to swallow, and I wished I was wielding a baseball bat—or better yet, Hyunji's fancy black gun.

Lisa noticed them about twenty seconds after I did. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed them, cursed, then she frowned down at me. I had no doubt that she'd drag me back to our hotel and force me to stay there if she had her choice.

I wrapped my hand into her, entwining our fingers into an unbreakable bond. "No way. We do this together."

She was furious. "Figures Mino would be here with her. I really want to hit him."

I didn't take my eyes off the doorway where they were standing. "Yeah? You take him. I've got her."

Mike was busy dealing with the location's shoddy security, so he was the last one to notice his former coworker milling about.

A young man who was part of the crew approached us, holding a small box with wires. "Ms. Manoban, I have your mic." He clipped the small microphone onto Lisa's shirt, fishing the wire beneath her clothes. Lisa lifted her arm so the guy could connect it to a small box that clipped to the back of Lisa's pants.

David, Lisa's manager, strolled over, twisting his Rolex. "Okay, Lisa. You and Rosé Park are scheduled to do a joint interview with Moviefone in about ten minutes and then you'll do the rest of the press interviews individually. We have three interview rooms, so we'll be moving the press around in ten-minute intervals with a break every hour."

I couldn't help but keep an eye on the other side of the room—on them.

"Yeah, fine. Whatever." Lisa squeezed her water bottle, making the plastic crinkle from the pressure.

"What's the deal, Mike? I'm not liking this one bit," she growled.

"Dunno. I know PSG relieved him of duty right after the incident. They wouldn't hire him back—not after that breach. He must still be working private detail." Mike leaned in closer. "Do you have a PFA on him?"

Lisa flashed another angry frown at me. "No."

"I didn't see a need to," I said, sticking by my original decision.

"I want him to stay away from Jennie. He comes near her or gets in my face, I'll kill him." Lisa was dead serious. "I need to talk to Rosé before we start. Can you find out if he's traveling the entire press junket with her?"

Mike nodded. "I'll see what I can find out."

David ditched the woman organizing the press interviews after looking over in the direction of our heated stares; he was finally clued in to the situation. He stormed right back over to Lisa. "Christ. Not this shit again. Time to put your personal shit aside and be professional, Lisa. Perhaps Jennie should wait at your hotel until you're finished so we don't have any additional problems?"

Lisa glared at him. "I think it's time we part ways, David."

I was surprised that Lisa was doing this now.

David jerked back, aghast. "What?"

"You want to keep your fucking job? That's the last time you dismiss my woman. We clear? I don't need you to remind me or to tell me what to do."

"I was merely suggesting that it might be wise to separate her from potential problems, that's all."

Lisa scoffed at him. "David, you're so full of shit. I think it's best if you just walked away before I fire you."

The woman with the clipboard walked over. "Ms. Manoban, we're ready to begin. You'll be in Parlor A. If you'll just follow me." She ushered, pointing the way.

"Yeah, in a minute." Lisa clutched my elbow. "Stay away from him. Find Trish and stick with Hyunji, okay?"

I gave her a kiss and went on a hunt for the ladies' room. Straight down the wide hallway, I found a buffet table with bottles of water stuck in ice. Just when I thought I was safe I felt the little hairs prickle on my neck, sensing him before he stepped beside me.

"Jennie."

No, no. Shit. The closer he came the stronger the scent of his cologne became.

I decided to avoid a conflict and be considerate. "Mino."

He regarded me with a sideways glance. "You look well."

I gripped a bottle tightly in my hand, feeling the cold moisture seep into my palm, matching the chill rolling down my spine. "Thank you."

"I've seen you a few times but I haven't had the opportunity to congratulate you on your engagement."

I heard the faint strain in his voice from him trying to be sincere. I wanted to ignore him completely, but it was difficult, so I gave him a simple "thank you" instead.

"I heard Lisa was getting out of control there for a while, punching the paparazzi?"

I felt heat flame up my neck from him attempting to bait me. Of course he couldn't pass up an opportunity to press my buttons. "When they climb up trees to intrude on our privacy, they deserve it. Besides, that's old news."

He took a swig of a bottle of water, contemplating my response. "I was just surprised that she'd mar her wholesome image like that."

I glared at him. "Are you done?"

Mino reached for a napkin. "Things could have been different, you know."

"Yes, I could have sent you to jail."

He snickered. "Still have your starch. Good. Very good."

"Shouldn't you be guarding a door or something? Surely you must be breaking protocol by leaving your woman unprotected."

He leaned closer. "Should I be worried?"

I laughed. "Not in the least, though I highly doubt you being here is just a coincidence. I'm happy for you and Rosé. Really, I am."

I heard a purr roll up his chest. "Now who's being insincere? Or is there truly a hint of jealousy still lingering?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, no. Rest assured I feel no jealousy. None whatsoever. In fact, I'd say your partnership with that conniving bitch is a match made in heaven."

He actually had the audacity to cat-growl at me. "And still so feisty, too."

"What are you going to do, Mino? Put me up against another wall to try to change my mind?"

He made a throaty sound of disgust and then turned toward me, his face painted with what truly looked like regret. "I hurt you. I know that. I get it. I know what I did was stupid and rash . . . I don't expect you to believe me but I truly wanted to protect you."

I wanted to slap him. "You're lucky I didn't have you arrested."

"And I appreciate that. Look, I've kept my end of the deal. Have I bothered you at all since?"

"No, you haven't. But the first chance you got you couldn't help but take another cheap shot at Lisa. And that bothers me."

"She has what I want."

I fought rolling my eyes. "You have Rosé."

His lips twitched as he shook his head. "Yeah, funny thing. Turns out I'm not her type these days. Doesn't matter because she's not mine."

"Well, that's too bad."

Mino sighed. "Will you ever forgive me?"

I'd had enough. "Honestly? No. And while we're on this junket I suggest you do yourself a favor and stay the hell away from both of us."

I didn't know where I was walking to but I headed back to where I knew Lisa and Mike were last. My hands were shaking. Memories of Mino pressing me into the door frame at the bottom of my apartment steps swept through me, spreading fear and trembles of terror through my bones.

I found Trish sitting in a chair taking a call on her cell. Hyunji was sitting next to her. My cell chimed with a new text so I dug it out of my purse and just as I was thumbing through the new message, I heard a familiar nasally, shrill voice that will forever be scorched in my memory.

Trish said what I was thinking. "What the hell is she doing here?"

Marla's head turned slightly, pausing her conversation for a beat when she noticed us. Acid churned in my stomach. I hadn't even previewed this film and already Thousand Miles was turning into a thousand miles in hell.

"I think I want to go home," I muttered quietly.

Trish shifted in her chair. "You and me both. Apparently Ms. Park has herself a new publicist. Figures she'd go for Lisa's old representation."

Lisa had texted me. I held up my phone to show Hyunji. "She's summoning me."

I found her in a room with what looked like a half tent made out of black fabric. The Thousand Miles movie poster was set up behind the chairs. Industrial lights were set up to illuminate the area being filmed and floor fans were whirling to keep the area cool.

Lisa looked like she'd been through the blender. "You hanging in there?" I asked, taking her into my arms.

Just then Mino walked down the hall, glancing at us briefly on his way. I couldn't help but scoff.

"Did he say anything to you?"

I froze. I wasn't going to tell her we exchanged words. What good would that do? "You should know that Rosé hired Marla Sullivan."

Lisa took a step back. "What?"

"Marla is here. She just showed up."

"You're kidding me?"

"I wish. She's putting on quite the show of enthusiasm."

I thought Lisa was going to go through the roof. "Wonderful." She rubbed her forehead, then grabbed my hand to tow me along. She pinned a glare on Mike. "Where's David?"

A young woman came rushing over to Lisa. "Ms. Manoban, we're ready to start the next group."

She held up a hand. "I need a minute."

Lisa bound right up to David, jerking her chin in Marla's direction. "You know about this shit?"

He was either caught off guard or an expert feigning ignorance. "What do you mean?"

"I'm talking about the woman who's suing me for breach of contract and the guy who assaulted my fiancée being on this junket. Now answer the question. Did you know about this?"

"I, well, I found out a couple of days ago that Rosé signed on with Marla's company, but I thought she'd give the account to an underling. How was I supposed to know she'd be here?"

Lisa groaned in frustration. "This puts me in a compromising situation, David, both physically and financially, and that's not good."

"Okay, I should have told you that Rosé hired Marla's PR company, but I didn't think it would matter."

"Well, it does," Lisa snapped. "You know she's contesting the revised settlement I paid her, saying I owe her more money. You could have given me a heads-up. It's getting to be that I can't trust you anymore."

David looked offended. "Lisa, don't say that. I've always had your best interests at heart."

"Is that why you took it upon yourself to have Len draft up a prenup?"

"Yes, I did. We have monies coming in that need to be protected."

"From who?" Lisa yelled. "She won't even use my money to put fucking gas in her car. The only one spending my money is you. I know what's written in my contract, David. You worried I'd screw you out of wedding photo royalties?"

David held his hands up in surrender. "I'd never do that and it's a damn shame that you think that way. Hey, you want to risk half your money on a girl that you'll divorce eventually, that's on you."

Lisa was livid. "That's the difference between you and me, David. After this press tour is over, I think we need to go our separate ways."

David clutched Lisa's forearm. "Hang on, buddy. Let's not take this there again."

Lisa glared at David's hand. "You best remove that hand and walk away. I'm not playing anymore."

I kept my eye on Rosé instead of celebrating David's dismissal. She seemed overly giddy and bubbly, as if she were enjoying watching us squirm.

Bring it, bitch. You're next.

I straightened Lisa's necktie before we arrived at the Manhattan premiere of Thousand Miles. I was glad she wore the black Hugo Boss suit with the purple and black paisley necktie that matched the color of my cocktail dress.

She ran her finger over the gathered material on the bodice of my dress and then over my beautiful diamond wreath necklace. "You look extraordinary."

Lisa's appreciation for me never faltered. I hoped I'd never take how lucky I am for granted. "You are quite the package yourself."

Attending my second movie premiere wasn't as frightening as it was the first time but the huge crowd and flurry of aggressive photographers was enough to make me quake in my stilettos. The flashes of hundreds of cameras, the roar of the crowd screaming for me to look their way . . . it was all beyond surreal.

I had to give Rosé and Lisa credit; both were exceptional actors, putting on a believable show of friendship and solidarity for the crowd and cameras. They had come to an agreement earlier that they'd be on their best behavior while out in public. Privately, however, Lisa had no use for her. She assured me that she'd never work with Rosé again. Lisa wasn't big on forgiveness, especially where my best interests were concerned, and she told her so.

As soon as the screening was over, we were whisked away to the lavish after-party in the ballroom at the Gramercy Park Hotel. Fortunately, Lisa had stipulated that her security team go with her wherever she had to go, which meant that I had Hyunji close by for moral support.

She walked with me toward the open bar while Lisa was in deep conversation with the film's cinematographer. She glanced at me with weary eyes. "Jennie, I hate to say it, but that movie was awesome."

I found an open area of couches and chairs and sat down. "Yeah, it was. Lisa was fabulous again. But there were a few parts that were difficult for me to watch." The dinner scene where I thought Lisa was on an actual date with Rosé in Miami made my chest burn. I recalled that Lisa had squeezed my hand tightly during that part. She remembered, just as I did, what happened outside the restaurant that night—the night when I had left her.

And just as Lisa's character leaned over the linen-covered table to kiss Rosé on the screen, Lisa wrapped her arm over my shoulders, taking my face in her hand, and kissed me so passionately I wanted to cry tears of happiness. She didn't want me to watch them. It wasn't part of our reality. Her mouth on mine, her hand clutching my cheek, her love for me—that was what was real.

Hyunji sat in the single blue armchair next to me. "I still can't believe I'm at another freaking movie premiere after party. This is all just mind-boggling."

I took a sip of the white wine that I'd been nursing. "I know. I love how they decorate to promote the movie's theme. Lisa said they go all out for the Seaside prem—"

I was in mid-sentence when I lost Hyunji's attention to someone else. I turned and thought "oh shit" when I saw Rosé Park standing before us in her ugly expensive dress and matching scowl.

When she realized I wasn't going to be intimidated, she pasted on a forced smile. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement."

Yeah, right.

What else could I say besides "Thank you"?

She flitted her eyes at me. "Yes, well, just make sure you treat her right or else you'll have to answer to me."

This was news. "Oh, really? And you care, why?"

She sniffed, not backing down. "Lisa's been an important part of my life for many years."

Hyunji crossed her legs and raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Was that before or after you fucked around behind her back with Lucas Banks? I know the gossip magazines don't always get it right. I'm just trying to keep the timeline straight."

I wanted to give Hyunji a high-five for that one.

Rosé was taken aback for a moment, and then she righted herself and smirked. "You think you know everything. Why don't you go back to the little hick town that you crawled out of."

I looked up at her. "Seriously? Out of all the comebacks out there, that's the best you could come up with?"

She smiled and crossed her boney arms. "You think you have her. Enjoy your fifteen minutes."

I flicked my diamond engagement ring with my thumb, sending her a message. "I think I'll have her a lot longer than that. See, I'm not ever going to be a dumb bitch like you were and screw around on her. But what I don't understand is why you even care? If something should ever happen that we're no longer together, I'm positive you wouldn't even be on her list."

Rosé looked as if she'd been sucking on a lemon. "Getting her back would be easy."

"Why, do you think he'd be interested in a four-way with you, Jisoo, and Mino?" I snorted. "Highly doubt it."

I could tell she was grinding her teeth. I was getting to her. Good.

"You just saw our film. You think all of that was just acting? I'd watch my back if I were you."

Hyunji sprang out of her seat. "You threatening her?"

"Why?" a familiar deep voice rumbled.

My head snapped, seeing Lisa come up behind Rosé after I heard her angered question. Her face went white.

Lisa nudged her out of the way so she could sit on the arm of my chair. "I'll ask again, Rosé. Why should my fiancée watch her back?"

She hemmed. "It was just a figure of speech."

Lisa stood up, moving into her personal space. "I'm only going to say this once. For the duration of this junket, you will stay the hell away from me and my future wife. That also goes for your little meth-head girlfriend and your asshole bodyguard. We clear?"

Rosé smiled coyly. "Since when did you become such a prude? I recall you used to be quite adventurous when we lived together. You should embrace the lifestyle our careers afford us before you're too old to enjoy it. Playing house is boring. You're missing out on all the fun, all the parties. You had your tongue in Jisoo's mouth, too. Imagine the possibilities."

Lisa blanched. "Yeah, that will never happen."

"You seemed to like it when we fucked that little set director together." Rosé leaned toward me, making sure I heard her. "Did she ever tell you about that, Jennie? The three-ways we used to have?"

Lisa grabbed her arm. "Do not fucking talk to her. And do not make the one-time seem like more."

She giggled. "Homophobic now, are we?"

"I have zero issues with what people do. But what I do have a problem with are conniving bitches who go out of their way to destroy my relationship and their drug-addicted girlfriends fucking with my livelihood. You're little fuck-friend is damn lucky I didn't have her fired when I had the chance. As for you, I cut you a break when everything in my gut told me not to. I won't make the same mistake twice. You even breathe in Jennie's direction, you and Jisoo will be lucky to find a gig at some shithole theater when I'm done."

I was glad she stood up to her, but the last thing I ever expected to deal with on this night was finding out that Lisa had had sex with two girls at once. I had to reconcile that the wild version of Lisa was a thing of the past.

--

I glanced out our hotel window, basking in the beautiful sunrise over Rome. It was our last stop on the Thousand Miles press junket and in a few hours we'd be on another plane heading back to the States.

I felt Lisa's warm chest press into my back. I wrapped my hands over her. "I don't want to go home."

She kissed my neck. "We're not."

I looked up to see if she was kidding. "We're not?"

"Nope. We are taking a three-day detour."

That sounded wonderful. "Can I even ask, or is it a surprise?"

Lisa smirked. "Well, it is sort of a surprise, but there's this awesome restaurant built inside a cave on this cliff that my woman said she wanted to see."

It was better than winning the lottery. "For real? You're not just teasing me, are you?"

She patted my rear end. "I'd never tease. Mike's taking Hyunji, too. The four of us are going, but I don't expect to see much of them."

I was so happy, I started bouncing on my toes and clapping.

She bounced with me, mocking me. "You want more good news?"

I smiled wider. "Yes!"

"We're going by helicopter to Polignano a Mare."

I wanted to bounce out of my skin.

"So pack up, because we catch our ride in two hours."

After kissing her wickedly for this huge surprise, I dashed around the room, packing up our stuff.

Lisa folded up the dress shirt she wore last night. "Pack only what you'll need in your backpack. There's not a lot of room for luggage inside the cabin."

I had to do a carry-on overhaul. I had so much crap in my bag that things were starting to fall out.

"I want to call Mike, see if we have a car coming," Lisa said.

I took the big manila envelope that the woman at the press panel gave me the day before out of my backpack. I was starting to believe I was turning into Lisa Manoban's briefcase. I had receipts and notes and signed documents galore.

I made a pile of important paper stuff, thinking that the manila folder would be a perfect place to shove it all; unfortunately, it didn't work out so well. I dumped the contents out on the bed, trying to re-access what was really important to keep.

Papers, brochures, you name it. Junk, junk . . .

Something fell and hit the bed when I opened up one of the brochures from the manila envelope. It was a small piece of folded magazine paper, made into what looked like a tiny envelope.

What the hell? I opened it up and gasped.

My hands started to shake. "Lisa?"

Hearing the alarm in my voice, she came right to my side.

"What's this?" It looked like chunks of compressed baby powder, and there was a lot of it.

She studied the item in my hands before attempting to take it away from me. "What the fuck? Don't spill it."

"What is it?" I asked.

I watched her take a careful sniff, and then her face twisted. "I'm not exactly sure, babe, but I think this is cocaine."