“First, let me say thank you so much for inviting me out. I know I bail a lot because of my schedule, but it means a lot to me that you still try to include me in your life. Especially moments like this. You are a great friend.”

“Damn, girl. Stop! I need to save my tears for my vows,” Helene said, lightly swatting at her arm.

“Okay, okay. So I wasn’t going to tell you this because you know me. I don’t like my business all out there.”

“Ignacio had to stop me from forcing guests to sign an NDA.”

“She’s not joking,” Robyn said.

“This is why we’re friends,” Amanda laughed before she cleared her throat. The truth she was about to share sent a sobering chill over her skin. “Also it’s your weekend and I didn’t think it was a good time to bring up my own petty drama, but recent developments have forced my hand.”

“Okay, now you really have to tell me.”

“Sunday night when I left Kata and Rina’s party?”

“Yeah?”

“I didn’t go home. I went to Sam Pleasant’s hotel room and we had adult relations. Like all night long.”

“Amanda!” Helene gasped, enunciating every syllable. “I am shocked.”

“I’m impressed. Never thought he’d be into thick girls,” Robyn shrugged. She and Amanda were around the same size. Big girls had been pulling fine men since the dawn of time, but everyone knew how Hollywood social culture worked.

“Same, but that’s not the issue,” Amanda went on. “I—um, I never told him my name.”

Another gasp from Helene.

“And I kinda bolted the next morning before he woke up. And I also kinda stole his Oscar statue. By accident! I returned it. He got the rest of my emergency condoms and some Fenty lip gloss I now need to replace.”

“Okay, I need to sit down.” Amanda and Robyn followed Helene over to the sectional in front of a massive fireplace.

“So you had a for-real covert fling with Sam Pleasant. When I say I’m proud . . .”

“Stop,” Amanda laughed.

“No, seriously. You were so stressed about coming along in the first place, but, honey. Talk about living it up. Mama is so proud.”

“Yeah, okay. It was actually one of my finer moments. However, I didn’t realize this was his family’s ranch until yesterday.”

“Oh, so you tried to hit and quit and then you just ran into him in the lobby.”

“Yup.”

“Okay, so what’s the play here?” Helene said, clasping her hand under her chin.

“What do you mean what’s the play? There’s no play. I just didn’t want you to wonder why I was hiding behind an ice sculpture all weekend.”

“Oh God. I didn’t even ask. Was it bad?”