I’m engulfed in a million hugs before I make it back to my trailer, and the second I’m inside, I’m stripping off my shirt, in desperate need of a shower before we all head out to celebrate.
With a long sigh, I reach around to unhook my bra and—
“Did you forget I was here?”
“Jesus Christ, Amelia.” Abandoning my task, I lower myself to the couch and clutch at my chest while my heart runs rampant. “You bet your ass, I forgot.”
I stare at my best friend while she grins at my expense, and I can’t help getting caught up in her happiness. “You’re lucky I didn’t hurt you with something,” I joke as I finally smile, shaking my head at my stupidity. I put her name down at security, I was texting her throughout the day, and I still forgot.
Smirking at my dramatics, Amelia arches her brows as her eyes lock on my hands. “Were you going to flick me with your bra?”
I hit her with all the side-eye I can muster, but smile. “You know I could do a lot of damage with this thing. It’s not the weapon, but how you use it.”
“That’s what she said.”
“Touché. And there are too many men that haveno ideahow to use it.”
Amelia smiles before the glint in her eyes sparkles. “On that note…” she trails off while I bounce in anticipation.
“I’m listening.”
“I have a congratulatory present for you, since I can’t come out to party tonight.”
Ignoring the pang I get from knowing that time with my best friend is about to be cut short, I smile to ease her mind. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
In the past, I would have argued about Amelia not coming out, but since she’s now the mother of a beautiful little girl, I’ve given her some grace. How could I not? The past year hasn’t been easyfor her, and I witnessed it all from the sidelines, helping where I could but hating that I wasn’t always there when she needed me. Because of this movie.
Amelia smiles sadly and my heart aches. “Amelia, I’m—”
“Nope. Do not get sappy on me because your emotions are in shambles. I’ve told you time and time again. I’m fine. I was fine. And I had Luke there when you couldn’t be.”
“Which was more often than I’d like.”
“But look how well it worked out.”
Ah yes, Luke… Her childhood enemy turned baby daddy turned love of her life. Amelia constantly tells me that if I’d been around more often she may have come to rely on me and she and Luke would never have connected like they did. But even if that were true, I still feel an element of guilt, and always will.
“I’m happy, Hayley. And I’ve never had a negative thought toward you. You know I love you.”
“I do. So what’s this surprise then? Please get me out of my emotional funk.” I glance around the room and find a box of chocolates on the table, secured with a red bow.
“Aww, you got me chocolates?”
“What?” Amelia’s gaze follows mine. “No. My surprise is better than that.”
“I happen to love chocolates, and those are my favorites.”
“Trust me.” She chuffs out a laugh as she shakes her head. “This is better.”
“Go on.”
Amelia smirks while her eyes light up with excited mischief. “Luke’s going out with you. Instead of me.”
Huh.“Luke? Ahh…how do I say this? I love your hubby, I do, but—”
“He’s bringing a few guys from the team.”And there it is.The perfect gift. Way better than chocolate. A gift that keeps on giving. I’ve hung out with the guys a few times now and they’realways a ball of fun. It’s exactly what I need to forget about the pressure I’ve put on myself and to enjoy the fact that I just finished filming a goddamn Hollywood movie.
And I was freaking amazing.
