Not that casual touches, or an under-the-blanket couch snuggle was something she considered having with Sam, but seeing the ease between Vega and Corie brought an odd loneliness back to the surface, that odd tug that had convinced her to sleep with Sam in the first place. She was lonely and worse, she was dying for an affectionate touch. She’d have to settle for Jason’s murderous rampage across the island of Manhattan. She made herself comfortable on the worn leather cushions between Sam and his cousin and did her best to think of anything besides how close their thighs were to touching.

“So how’d you two meet?” Vega asked. “Sam ran out of here so fast we didn’t get to ask him follow-up questions.”

“Uh, through mutual friends. Helene and Ignacio. After the, um, Oscars, I went to the Vanity Fair party with Helene and he wouldn’t stop talking to me on the dance floor.” After weeks of lying to Dru, it felt weird to tell the truth.

“Typical,” Vega teased.

“I’m so happy they got married,” Lilah said with a dreamy sigh. “I know you’re not supposed to ship real people, but when they were doing press for Magnet the fangirl in me prayed that true love would find two people so talented and beautiful.”

“They are a great match,” Amanda said, laughing about Lilah’s earnest declaration. “It’s like looking directly at the sun when they are together.”

“You’re in the industry too?” Vega asked.

“Yeah, she’s a writer,” Sam said. The touch of pride in his voice turned her stomach. So much for the truth.

“Damn, I was hoping for another ally. I’m a nurse.”

“No on-camera work, no horses?” Amanda replied, trying to keep the focus on Vega.

“No. Private-care nurse. Usually for the elderly. I love it, but I’m always looking for someone to relate to when I have no fucking idea what the hell they are all talking about.”

“Well, I know jack about running a ranch, so you and I can be clueless there together.”

“Deal,” Vega laughed.

“What are you working on?” Corie asked.

“Oh, uh. Top-secret thing in development.”

“Ah, gotcha.”

“It’ll be my first writing credit.” Amanda hated how smoothly the lie rolled off her tongue. She knew the drill. Knowing her name was enough. All they had to do was a quick search and her profile or lack thereof would pop up in the online movie database. Her first two PA credits were listed, but that was it. She didn’t want to lie to Sam or his family, but for now she needed some part of her life that Dru couldn’t touch. Luckily, she’d never been added to the call sheet so there wasn’t an Internet trail of “Assistant to Ms. Anastasia.” Still, work was the last thing she wanted to talk about.