Attending my second movie premiere wasn’t as frightening as it was the first time but the huge crowd and flurry of aggressive photographers was enough to make me quake in my stilettos. The flashes of hundreds of cameras, the roar of the crowd screaming for me to look their way . . . it was all beyond surreal.

I had to give Lauren and Ryan credit; both were exceptional actors, putting on a believable show of friendship and solidarity for the crowd and cameras. They had come to an agreement earlier that they’d be on their best behavior while out in public. Privately, however, Ryan had no use for her. He assured me that he’d never work with her again. Ryan wasn’t big on forgiveness, especially where my best interests were concerned, and he told her so.

As soon as the screening was over, we were whisked away to the lavish after-party in the ballroom at the Gramercy Park Hotel.

Fortunately, Ryan had stipulated that his security team go with him wherever he had to go, which meant that I had Marie close by for moral support.

She walked with me toward the open bar while Ryan was in deep conversation with the film’s cinematographer. She glanced at me with weary eyes. “Taryn, I hate to say it, but that movie was awesome.” I found an open area of couches and chairs and sat down. “Yeah, it was. Ryan was fabulous again. But there were a few parts that were difficult for me to watch.” The dinner scene where I thought Ryan was on an actual date with Lauren in Miami made my chest burn. I recalled that Ryan had squeezed my hand tightly during that part.

He remembered, just as I did, what happened outside the restaurant that night—the night when I had left him.

And just as Ryan’s character leaned over the linen-covered table to kiss Lauren on the screen, Ryan wrapped his arm over my shoulders, taking my face in his hand, and kissed me so passionately I wanted to cry tears of happiness. He didn’t want me to watch them. It wasn’t part of our reality. His mouth on mine, his hand clutching my cheek, his love for me—that was what was real.

Marie sat in the single blue armchair next to me. “I still can’t believe I’m at another freaking movie premiere after party. This is all just mind-boggling.”

I took a sip of the white wine that I’d been nursing. “I know. I love how they decorate to promote the movie’s theme. Ryan said they go all out for the Seaside prem—”

I was in mid-sentence when I lost Marie’s attention to someone else. I turned and thought “oh shit” when I saw Lauren Delaney standing before us in her ugly expensive dress and matching scowl.

When she realized I wasn’t going to be intimidated, she pasted on a forced smile. “I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement.”

Yeah, right.

What else could I say besides “Thank you”?

She flitted her eyes at me. “Yes, well, just make sure you treat him right or else you’ll have to answer to me.”

This was news. “Oh, really? And you care, why?”

She sniffed, not backing down. “Ryan’s been an important part of my life for many years.”

Marie crossed her legs and raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Was that before or after you fucked around behind his back with Lucas Banks? I know the gossip magazines don’t always get it right. I’m just trying to keep the timeline straight.”

I wanted to give Marie a high-five for that one.

Lauren was taken aback for a moment, and then she righted herself and smirked.

“You think you know everything. Why don’t you go back to the little hick town that you crawled out of.”

I looked up at her. “Seriously? Out of all the comebacks out there, that’s the best you could come up with?”

She smiled and crossed her boney arms.

“You think you have him. Enjoy your fifteen minutes.”

I flicked my diamond engagement ring with my thumb, sending her a message. “I think I’ll have him a lot longer than that. See, I’m not ever going to be a dumb bitch like you were and screw around on him. But what I don’t understand is why you even care? If something should ever happen that we’re no longer together, I’m positive you wouldn’t even be on his list.”

Lauren looked as if she’d been sucking on a lemon. “Getting him back would be easy.”

“Why, do you think he’d be interested in a four-way with you, Nicole, and Kyle?” I snorted. “Highly doubt it.”

I could tell she was grinding her teeth. I was getting to her. Good.

“You just saw our film. You think all of that was just acting? I’d watch my back if I were you.”

Marie sprang out of her seat. “You threatening her?”

“Why?” a familiar deep voice rumbled.

My head snapped, seeing Ryan come up behind Lauren after I heard his angered question. Her face went white.

Ryan nudged her out of the way so he could sit on the arm of my chair. “I’ll ask again, Lauren. Why should my fiancée watch her back?”

She hemmed. “It was just a figure of speech.”

Ryan stood up, moving into her personal space. “I’m only going to say this once. For the duration of this junket, you will stay the hell away from me and my future wife. That also goes for your little meth-head girlfriend and your asshole bodyguard. We clear?” Lauren smiled coyly. “Since when did you become such a prude? I recall you used to be quite adventurous when we lived together.

You should embrace the lifestyle our careers afford us before you’re too old to enjoy it.

Playing house is boring. You’re missing out on all the fun, all the parties. You had your tongue in Nicole’s mouth, too. Imagine the possibilities.”

Ryan blanched. “Yeah, that will never happen.”

“You seemed to like it when we fucked that little set director together.” Lauren leaned toward me, making sure I heard her.

“Did he ever tell you about that, Taryn? The three-ways we used to have?” Ryan grabbed her arm. “Do not fucking talk to her. And do not make the one-time seem like more.”

She giggled. “Homophobic now, are we?”

“I have zero issues with what people do.

But what I do have a problem with are conniving bitches who go out of their way to destroy my relationship and their drug-addicted girlfriends fucking with my livelihood. You’re little fuck-friend is damn lucky I didn’t have her fired when I had the chance. As for you, I cut you a break when everything in my gut told me not to. I won’t make the same mistake twice. You even breathe in Taryn’s direction, you and Nicole will be lucky to find a gig at some shithole theater when I’m done.”