Page 33 (1/2)

Before we go our separate ways, we have a e Now that the cameras are off of her, she’s unfocused and preoccupied "E her chin up, I lean quickly and kiss her, just a whisper of my lips on hers, and pretend not to notice that she’s already withdrahen I pull away "I’ll see you next week"

Preht, I’ll likely have Emma where I want her--where I’ve wanted her since I first laid eyes on her But I can’t assume she’ll come to me when she breaks it off with Grahah to slah last fall On the other hand, she’ll be more receptive if for no other reason than to thu with Brooke

A exploited like that and then tossed aside?

Hell Yeah

Chapter 27

Ee of Graha came to a stop I asked hi the Columbia t-shirt and the unbuttoned plaid shirt he had on e Skyped last night Right before the party

I couldn’t breathe I couldn’t think My life didn’t feel real

Perfect ti talk show for the first ti and flirty with me, with her, with the audience--and they ate it up When Ellen suggested we use her show to clear up any rurabbed my hand and kissed it (the audience screamed, "Woooo!" while my face overheated)

And then he looked at ht as well co clean about and the whole audience shifted forward in anticipation He assunant with triplets" The audience gasped My aped I don’t knohat Ellen did, because I was staring at Reid and thinking that maybe I had just drea next to Brooke For one heartbeat I was so relieved

And then Reid said, "After the pre married in a hot air balloon, and then we’ll honeymoon on our private island until the babies come Oh, and we’ve decided to name all of them Reid, with numbers for middle names But in French--un, deux, trois--so it’ll be classy" Everyone laughed Ha, ha, so funny

We showed clips of School Pride and discussed the Jane Austen novel that inspired it I sue to ed thenext fall in Vancouver, I talked about e plans, and then it was over and Reid and I were backstage He kissed oodbye, sort of, but I didn’t really respond, and I couldn’t feel it I don’t think I realized until thatnumb

I was supposed to text Grahaht I didn’t Just before I powered it down, e

Now I’er hasand twisting them until all I can feel is the destructive point where the indignation touches the landscape I haven’t felt this angry since I confrontedto make my own decisions Does that mean I should confront Graham now? Just because I’ve learned to stand up for myself doesn’t mean it’s appropriate in every situation Or easy I stare out theand consider possible scenarios of truth-telling

Emily and Derek pick me up when I land Her hair is newly hot pink and pixie-cut "Like it?" she asks, and I tell her I love it

Derek is Abercroeous fro high-top Chucks in the same shade of neon fuchsia as Es "I’uy"

In the Jeep, I power up oes fro why I wasn’t calling He left one voice at one, and I’ve already told her she can’t stay here again Please call me when you land… Okay Talk to you soon"

I e Dad to tell him I’ve landed and I’m onover at her place When the phone rings,up froent

"Hey, Dan"

"Hoas Ellen? So exciting!" Dan has a habit of answering his own questions

"It esoabout a balloon Anyway It ell"

E back at me open-mouthed, and Dan is either speechless or we’ve been cut off

"Dan?"

"Ee what’s left of your film career, in case you ever want to coed your ot a call today froe And I wasn’t being snarky--Reid actually said that stuff"

He was quiet for two seconds "I never thought I’d say this, but I think I’h, and the phone beeps in ot another call I’m sure I’ll talk to you to Talk to talk "Hello"

"Euarded

I tellup for what I need When ityou want to tell ue, Emma So much for confrontation

He’s quiet "Emma, just tell aae a look in the front seat I swear I can feel the adrenaline shooting through"I saw a photo of her and you In bed"