I’m such a mess. I can’t let him in, but I can’t stop myself. And I need most of all to protect her.

I’ve been all tied up in knots and slipped into that familiar banter with him as if the years apart never happened. Nothing will ever come of it. I know that.

So why am I full of hope?

Thirteen

Delaney

On Monday, just after one, Jessie Lane walks into my diner.

I’ve never forgotten the way she sneered at me when Josh and I were dating. He had three close friends back then. Reece was always with some girl or other, and I never got to meet him. Clarke was a sweetheart, more interested in Reece than me or Jessie.

And Jessie was the one who made heart eyes at Josh whenever we saw her, completely ignoring me. Josh just never seemed to see her in that way, which left me a little surprised when I heard he was making this type of movie with her. It’s an odd move, unless they are actually seeing each other.

The thought of that leaves me frustrated and angry.

And it’s clear she has no idea just what she’s walked into as I step out from behind the counter and walk over to her booth.

“You.” The word is so filled with hatred that it even takes me by surprise.

“Jessie, isn’t it?” I can be bitchy too.

“You know it is.”

I shrug. “I can’t keep track of every extra they hire for these films.”

Her eyes narrow. “I’m the star of the movie.”

“I thought Josh was. Did you want something?”

She draws in a breath and raises her nose in the air. “I want a Caesar salad. No cheese, no croutons, no anchovies. I don’t want any oil in it.”

“Should I just get you a lettuce? It might be easier.”

Her scowl makes me clamp my lips together to stop myself from laughing.

I nod. “Got it. One Caesar salad missing all the flavour.”

I turn and head toward the kitchen. Trina stares at me as I walk past her, and Pania’s right inside the kitchen door, snickering.

“What was that?” she asks.

“What?”

“Jo just came in here and dragged me out the door. You’re the one who’s so big on customer service.”

I laugh. “She’s not a customer. She’s a parasite who should have detached a long time ago.” Fluttering my eyelashes, I clasp my hands together. “Oh, Josh, you’re so big and strong, and I want you to be my boyfriend even though you’re clearly not interested in me.”

Pania chuckles. “Like that, is she?”

“I met her in LA. She instantly disliked me because Josh liked me. And she made her feelings really obvious. I’m not about to kiss her arse when she’s in my house.”