Lucy

“Abby, I still don’t understand what the point of this is.”

He’s realizing more and more that most of the time, he doesn’t understand the point of Abby’s schemes and ideas.

She just rolls her eyes at him.

“I’ve explained this a million times, Langdon. We’ve broken up and gotten back together, like, three times already. We need to add some spice to the storyline this time. It’s the drama of it all.”

Ah, there it is. If there’s one thing he knows Abby loves, it’s drama, both onscreen and off. It’s probably why she became an actress in the first place.

“Come on, babe,” Abby says with a pout, when she sees the hesitancy in his expression. “We’re the Hollywood romance of our generation. We can’t be boring. You breaking up with your new little ingenue girlfriend to get back together with me because we just can’t stay away from each other will be headline news. It’s romantic. People will eat that shit up.”

He exhales. Abby takes a step closer to him, adjusts the collar of his shirt.

“Okay, but I don’t really like the idea of taking advantage of someone trying to break into the business for – “

“We’re not taking advantage of her,” Abby insists, interrupting him with a scoff. “I had a long conversation with her, explained all of the details. She’s happy to do it. Plus, she’ll be compensated financially, and I promised to talk her up whenever I can once this all is over.”

“Fine,” he relents. “Whatever. I just…maybe you could’ve had us meet before I’m expected to walk the red carpet of a Nolan film premiere with her in less than two hours? Especially since we’re supposed to already be dating?”

“It’ll be fine,” Abby tells him, with another eye roll. “You’re an actor. Put those Yale Drama School skills to good use.”

Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door to their room.

“Hey guys!” Abby’s personal assistant says from the other side. “I have a Melissa King here for you, Abby.”

“Perfect,” Abby murmurs, and then shouts back. “Thank you, Lainey! Send her up.”

“Where did you even find this girl?” he mutters, fixing his hair one final time in the mirror before following Abby to the threshold of the room.

“I told you this already. She works at the Starbucks on the Warner Brothers lot. This is a great opportunity for her, so don’t feel guilty. Like I said, she’s happy to do it.”

Suddenly, they hear footsteps starting down the hall. Abby turns on her heel.

“Mellie, there you are!”

He looks up to find a woman in a simple but beautiful blue floor length dress walking toward them. Her long blonde hair is gathered to one side and cascades over her shoulder in soft waves.

The sight kind of knocks the breath from him. She…

“Sweetie, you look gorgeous!” Abby gushes, taking the words right out of his mouth. He can’t take his eyes off her. “I knew Seb would know just what outfit to put you in.”

The two women in front of him hug, and Melissa turns her soft, pink lips up into the loveliest smile he’s ever seen.

“Thanks!” she says, in a low, gentle voice that sends a shiver up his spine. Fuck. “This is definitely the most expensive thing I’ve ever worn.”

Abby laughs.

“Well, you look hot as fuck. Come here, come here!”

Abby grabs her wrist and pulls her closer to him. Melissa looks up at him from under dark eyelashes, her eyes wide and nervous but undoubtedly curious.

“Mellie, meet Frank Langdon, your new boyfriend,” Abby announces dramatically.

He can feel himself flush. He sticks his hand out to shake Melissa’s, but Abby knocks his arm down, and shoves them closer to each other.

“None of that,” she scolds. “You’re dating, remember? The least you can do is give her a hug, Frankie.”

Melissa smiles shyly. He quirks the corner of his mouth up, and then holds his arms open. She walks into his embrace, and as soon as she wraps her arms around him, he knows this is going to be a problem for him. Her hair is soft and she smells like rosewater and several moles dot her pale skin like stars and there are flecks of green and gold in her brown eyes, and oh fuck, this is going to be a problem for him.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Langdon,” she murmurs close to his ear.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“Call me Frank,” he insists gently. “And the pleasure is mine, Melissa.”

“Call me Mel. Everyone does.”

“Mel,” he whispers, his hands settling on her waist, and she relaxes into him, just the tiniest bit.

“God, you two are already good at this,” Abby remarks, absolutely oblivious to the churning in his gut, the electricity shooting along his spine. “Now, come on. We have a few minutes until you have to leave, so let’s get to know each other a bit.”

Abby is off, then, starting down the stairs quickly. Reluctantly, they disentangle themselves, but he holds out his hand before she can go far.

“Ready, girlfriend?” he asks playfully, and he can see her blush, even beneath her makeup.

“Ready, boyfriend,” she confirms quietly, and her hand is just the tiniest bit shaky as she places her palm against his.