“Are you saying this isn’t you?” Dru swiped her finger across her phone screen again and brought up one of Helene and Ignacio’s wedding photos. In the foreground the bride and groom were in each other’s arms. In the background were Amanda and Sam. Amanda had seen all the photos that had been published in People magazine and this wasn’t one of them. She’d been very careful to keep an eye on their professional photographer, careful to practically run from the man anytime she saw him coming. Someone else had taken this photo and apparently posted it.

“How—”

“You seriously think I’m stupid. This is easy Internet Stalking 101. Some dingus violated what one would think was an ironclad pre-wedding NDA and posted it on their Instagram. When I saw the pictures at the bar I knew that updo looked familiar to me. I did a little digging and I remembered I’d seen something in the background of one of Helene Sawyer’s wedding photos. And there you are. Slow dancing with Sam. Color me impressed. I didn’t think you’d be able to even speak to a guy like that. Let alone dance with him.”

In this photo, even though the resolution wasn’t great, even Amanda could tell it was definitely her. The shape of her face, her round cheeks and full lips, even her smile. It was undeniable. She was caught.

“Anyway, I’m gonna go.” Amanda tried to step around Dru, but Dru stuck out her arm, blocking her way. She wondered if Dru could really fight, ’cause she considered knocking her on her ass right then and there.

“Let’s try this again. You work for me and since you’ve been lying to me about hanging out with him you’re gonna make it up to me. You’re gonna introduce me to Sam Pleasant. You’re gonna introduce me to his brothers and his amazing grandmother. Then you’re gonna convince him that he and I would be perfect together. You’re gonna get him to ask me out.”

The thought of Dru and Sam anywhere near each other drove bile to the top of her throat. The thought of Sam being with her, touching her, calling Dru his girlfriend. That was too much.

“The Pleasants are exactly what I need to shoot my career to the next level. Sam can get me real roles. Not this TV shit. Not to mention what rubbing elbows with Leona Lovell will do. Seriously, Mandy. Why didn’t you think of this sooner? You had the golden goose all along.”

Something in Amanda’s brain snapped, a hot rage flashing over her skin, warming her face and scoring the tips of her ears. She felt the words rushing to the tip of her tongue. She knew she was making a mistake but she couldn’t stop herself.

“No.”

“No what?” Dru took a step back.