A Starlit Summer Page 13

  At dusk she retreated inside, dumped her plate in the sink, took the cordless phone and went and sat in the living room.

  Her parents would have eaten by now and be sitting down in front of the TV. It was ridiculous to feel this nervous about talking to her parents, particularly her mum who she usually confided in about everything.

  By the second ring her mum had answered the phone.

  ‘Jenna, love. I tried calling you earlier and couldn’t get hold of you. Or this afternoon.’

  ‘I was working, Mum. Had my mobile switched off.’

  ‘Denise... you know Denise from next door, she came round this morning with the magazine. I mean, you’re on the front cover kissing Milo Blake.’

  ‘We’re not kissing.’

  ‘His hand is on your bottom.’ She lowered her voice at the word bottom.

  ‘Yeah, well, it was because he planted it there, same as I’m pretty bloody certain he tipped off the paparazzi to be there and take the shot. It was set up, Mum.’

  ‘Why would he do that?’

  ‘It’s complicated.’ How many times was she going to give that as an answer?

  ‘You’re a grown adult, I don’t really care what you get up – it’s your life, you can choose who you go out with, and it’s not like I disapprove or anything like that. It was just a bit of a shock to have it all paraded about in front of us. Denise was full of it, telling us all the juicy details from the article. Your dad had to leave the room at the mention of the “hot sex”.’ Once again her mum lowered her voice.

  Jenna’s cheeks burned at the thought of her dad listening to nosy Denise relaying the details about her and Milo. She tucked her feet beneath her on the sofa. ‘It’s all made up, Mum. Every bit of it. Apart from the photo and that was staged by Milo. We’ve flirted and chatted but that’s all. I’ve been back to the cottage on my own every night.’

  ‘Well, how can they write such blatant lies?’

  ‘They always do though, don’t they? Gossip and scandal and making out that something’s more than it really is sells magazines.’

  ‘I guess that’s true. I mean Trump’s full of it, “fake news” and all that. It’s not so strange that entertainment magazines bend the truth too.’

  ‘Or they’re sold lies in the first place.’

  Her mum huffed, unconvinced. ‘By the way, your agent phoned this evening, wondering if we’d heard from you.’

  ‘Yeah, she’s left messages. I’m going to phone her now.’

  ‘Are you sure you’re all right, love? You sound down.’

  Jenna stared across the sparse living room at the gas fire in front of the blocked up fireplace. She felt like taking a lump hammer to it and smashing it to pieces. ‘I’m fine, Mum, really. It’s just been a strange day. This kind of attention is normal for Milo; I’ve never experienced anything like it. Loads of people are telling me it’ll do wonders for my career.’

  ‘And you’re not convinced?’

  ‘I’m not sure. I’m going to phone Beth, see what she has to say.’

  ‘All right, love, we’ll speak to you soon. Love you.’

  It was eerily quiet once she’d said goodbye and put the phone down. She wanted a hug from her mum. She sniffed and forced back tears. She wasn’t going cry over Milo Blake and a fling she never had.

  She was so glad her parents weren’t on social media. She really couldn’t bear the thought of them reading the comments on Twitter and seeing hashtags like #milodoesjenna and #milohotsex. Although no doubt Denise would be back round in the morning showing them Twitter memes and fuelling the rumours and gossip even more.

  It was well past office hours and late to be phoning her agent, but the last message Beth had left explicitly said to phone her back at any time.

  She scrolled through her mobile to Beth’s number and plumbed the digits into the cordless phone.

  ‘Hi Jenna.’

  ‘Sorry it’s late.’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry.’

  ‘It’s been a strange day.’

  ‘Everyone’s talking about you and Milo.’ She could hear the excitement in Beth’s voice.

  ‘It’s not true by the way, everything’s been made up, despite what the photo suggests.’

  ‘It doesn’t make a difference either way, it’s out there now, you’re being talked about. You and Milo are trending on Twitter. I’ve had offers coming in for you all day long, almost from the second that magazine went live.’

  ‘Offers?’

  ‘For auditions, reality TV. You name it, they want you.’

  Jenna leant back on the sofa. She’d dismissed everyone’s excitement on set this morning about what hooking up with Milo could do for her career and yet now it was actually coming true.

  Jenna’s head immediately flooded with the possibilities and what ifs, but she made herself listen to Beth.

  ‘I’ll see what comes in over the course of the week and then we can make some decisions. It’s incredibly exciting, Jenna. Whether you’re into Milo or not, roll with it. He’s a career maker.’

  ‘Did you know he’d personally requested me to work on this film?’

  ‘Uh huh.’

  ‘Why didn’t I know that?’

  ‘Did I not tell you? I thought I had. Must have slipped my mind. Either way they really wanted you to be a part of the film. See what I mean by the influence he has; he’s a good person to be seen with. Whatever you’re doing or not doing, keep at it. Fuel those rumours.’

  They said goodbye, the excitement in her agent’s voice in stark contrast to the worry that consumed Jenna. She was too tired and emotionally drained to be wondering or even caring about the opportunities that were about to come her way. She checked her mobile again; still no message from Finn. It was too late to try and phone him again now. Maybe he was out with friends and maybe he’d been too busy working today to answer her call; perhaps he hadn’t actually seen the article and wasn’t ignoring her.

  What she needed to do was talk to Milo, get his take on it, and find out what he was going to say about it. As nothing had actually happened between them he could deny it – people would listen to him. The only problem was how to actually go about seeing him without anyone else seeing them together.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jenna woke with a start. Worry consumed her thoughts. She should have tried phoning Finn again last night however late. Why the hell hadn’t she at least texted him, told him the photo and magazine article was completely made-up. Nothing more than gossip to sell some magazines. But then again if he hadn’t even seen the article then keeping quiet about it was probably best. Unable to settle back to sleep she forced herself out of bed and jumped in the shower. Her call time was later this morning and Finn would be here before she left. They were starting work inside today so she’d get the chance to speak to him. She’d tell him all about the article, explain just how ridiculous and untrue it was and it would be fine.

  Jenna got dressed in a maxi skirt and sleeveless top. It was overcast but humid, the heat still intense but the blissful hot and sunny summer days had seemingly stalled. The grey mugginess of the morning suited her mood.

  She ate a piece of toast, downed a coffee and tidied the kitchen. Her bag was packed for the day. She had nothing left to do, except say hello to Finn when he arrived and then head off to the base at eight thirty.

  She was wiping over the kitchen surface for the third time when she heard the van pull into the drive. The engine switched off and two doors slammed shut so Finn’s dad was with him. Footsteps crunched along the gravel path and two shadowy figures passed the window before Gary appeared in the open doorway.

  ‘Morning, Jenna, I wasn’t sure if we’d get to see you today or not.’ He took off his sunglasses and tucked them in his T-shirt pocket.

  ‘A later call time this morning, that’s all.’

  Gary stepped into the kitchen and Finn followed behind. He didn’t look at her and she knew immediately that he’d seen the article.

&nbs
p; ‘We’re going to be working on the bathroom this week,’ Gary said. ‘Water’s definitely going to be off today and tomorrow.’

  ‘That’s okay, I’ll be out all day.’

  ‘You might want to fill up some containers just in case.’

  Finn dumped his tool box on the floor with a bang. ‘Or you can always stay at your boyfriend’s until the water’s back on.’

  He turned his back on her, squatted and rifled through his tools.

  ‘Right, okay then.’ Gary looked between his son and her. ‘I’m going to get what we need from the van.’ He stepped past Finn and out into the sunshine.

  Jenna didn’t know what to say to Finn. He was pissed off, his tone said as much and his dad had picked up on it. It was hard not to.

  Finn stood upright, clutching something in his hand. ‘Why lead me on when you’re with him?’ He slammed a crumpled copy of Hot Now Magazine on the kitchen table.

  ‘I tried phoning you yesterday to warn you about the article because it’s not true. I didn’t think you’d really believe what’s written in a gossip magazine.’

  ‘It’s not what’s written, Jenna, it’s the photos of you two all over each other. Why wouldn’t I believe that? Seems blatantly evident to me. You’ve made a fool of me. That’s all Jake’s girlfriend was banging on about at the pub last night.’

  ‘It’s not what it looks like. Really it isn’t.’

  Finn picked up the magazine. ‘“Leggy Jenna Wilson in a romantic clinch with the hottest actor of the moment Milo Blake”. You’re half naked and all over each other. I don’t care, it’s up to you what you get up to, but don’t go fooling around with me when you’re with him. I’m done with being messed around.’

  ‘Actually, you’re right, it is up to me what I get up to and I’m sick of everyone assuming stuff about me that’s not true. If you think I’m the type of person who’d be sleeping with one bloke and leading another one on at the same time, then it’s because you don’t know me very well at all.’

  Jenna picked up the magazine and slammed it against Finn’s chest. She stalked over to the sink, leant against it and stared outside, her heart thumping.

  ‘Everything okay?’ Gary made Jenna jump. Her cheeks flushed and she turned away. Even if he hadn’t heard what they’d said, he’d have heard their raised voices. How unprofessional had she been; Finn was working on her parents’ house. She was staying here for work and she was in this emotionally-charged mess with one of the builders and an even bigger mess with the lead actor. She’d spent the most amazing day with Finn on Sunday and had dinner with his parents afterwards, and now this. Unprofessional on all levels.

  ‘Finn, why don’t you make a start on the bathroom.’ It was an order rather than a question.

  Finn picked up his tool box and headed for the stairs, not looking at her as he went past.

  Jenna’s skin itched with heat and embarrassment, sensing Gary’s eyes on her. She didn’t want to turn round and face him. She wondered if he’d seen the article too, or if Finn had kept quiet about it. But either way, after seeing them so happy together on the weekend he must be wondering what had gone wrong.

  She breathed deeply and turned round. ‘I’m going to put the kettle on if you’d like a drink?’

  ‘Tea for me please and I’m sure Finn’ll have a coffee.’ He went to pick up his tools and paused. ‘You’re sure everything’s okay between you two?’

  ‘There’s no problem, really. Just a bit of a misunderstanding.’

  Gary didn’t look convinced. ‘We’ll have the water back on as soon as we can.’

  ~

  Away from the toxicity of the hotel and the overpowering presence of Milo, it had been the best weekend. Lily and Amanda were great friends, chilled out and uncomplicated, and bumping into and spending time with people other than actors had been refreshing. And then Sunday on the beach with Finn; she’d loved spending time with him. She hadn’t wanted the evening at the pub to end, and exploring that quiet little cove had been magical. She wanted more than the friendship they’d developed. She wanted more than just a kiss. And now this. What she’d got was the focus of unwarranted gossip and the one person she’d had feelings for in a very long time was well and truly pissed off.

  It had felt wrong with Milo from the beginning. He’d been keen to spend time with her when he didn’t even know her, almost like she ticked all his boxes – she was blonde, pretty and an actress; she’d do. He flirted like he was putting on a show, which, from what Jenna had gleaned over the past few days, was exactly what he was doing. With Finn... Her pulse raced and she flushed at the thought – it was anything but a show. They’d been hidden in the shadows of the rock on the beach, his firm strong body against hers as he kissed her passionately, not a pathetic brush on the cheek like it had been with Milo, all for the paparazzi. Whatever happened, she was going to find and confront Milo today.

  ~

  With her mind firmly on Finn, and her heart not engaged with filming, Jenna got through the day. At least it was another relatively easy day filming in the tea shop in Porthleven. She wasn’t around Milo or Heidi either, so that was a relief – the Heidi bit at least. She was determined to speak to Milo though. She didn’t even have his mobile number to text him. That in itself spoke volumes; according to the world they were together, but in reality they were so un-together it was laughable. A sham. But after she wrapped for the day, having had no chance to speak to Milo, and no chance of seeing Finn either when she got back to an empty cottage, she headed straight back out. It was still light and she’d have enough time to drive to the hotel and back again before it got dark. She started the engine and pulled out of the drive.

  It was probably a bad idea, she thought as she reversed into a space in the busy hotel car park. She had no clue if there were paparazzi hidden in the trees waiting for a money-making shot. What if the paparazzi knew where the cottage was? What if they’d followed her? It was possible. She switched off the engine and gripped the steering wheel. She stared at the hotel wondering what to do. Everyone had wrapped at least a couple of hours ago, including Milo. She knew he’d been driven back to the hotel. He was here and she could talk to him inside, somewhere private where no one would spot them.

  She put her hand on the door handle. Except even a photo of her going into the hotel could be twisted a hundred different ways. Beth had told her the other evening to fuel the rumours, but did she really want to do that? Her thoughts returned to Finn and the hurt on his face when he’d slapped that magazine down on the kitchen table, the image of her in a bikini pressed against a topless Milo Blake like a huge wedge between them. She took her hand off the door handle, started the engine and drove back to Bramble Cottage.

  ~

  Jenna decided to leave it until the next day at work. The base was a safer place to confront him. Security were on the entrance to the field and if anyone, whether cast or crew, felt the need to take a photo and sell it, well that was up to them and completely out of her hands. It was an early start and a busy filming day, so she was straight into hair and make-up before being bussed to location. At lunchtime when she saw Milo heading to his trailer she knew it was her chance. Food could wait, talking to Milo was the priority.

  She stalked across the grass, which was dry and brown from the summer heat and thousands of feet trampling over it for the last few weeks. She reached the trailer, the sign on the door – MILO BLAKE – as bold and as assertive as he was.

  She knocked and waited.

  The trailer door swung open and Milo stood there in his 1940s soldier’s uniform, his hair slicked back looking as delicious as he did in his normal clothes.

  ‘Can I come in? We need to talk.’

  Milo moved back and ushered her into his trailer, his hand grazing her back as he closed the door behind her.

  ‘What’s up?’

  ‘You really need to ask?’

  ‘The magazine article.’ He shrugged. ‘Get used to it – you’re in the public eye. Come
s with the territory.’

  ‘But none of it’s true, doesn’t that bother you?’

  ‘What’s the problem with being linked to someone as gorgeous as you? We’re both single.’

  ‘But we’re not having sex, we’ve not actually hooked up, and you’ve been flirting and leading me on ever since we met and all for what? A suggestive photo...’

  ‘Are you saying you’d actually prefer us to be having sex so what they’re writing about is true?’ He moved closer, his dark eyes boring into her, the smell of his aftershave strong.

  She closed her eyes, drew in a breath and put her hands on her hips, determined to stand her ground. She opened her eyes. ‘Why do you feel the need to hide the truth?’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘That you’re gay.’

  He held her gaze. ‘I’m not.’

  ‘You’re really going to do this? What’s the point lying to me? I know, Milo.’

  He licked his lips as if buying time. ‘You know what?’

  ‘Oh for God’s sake, Milo.’ She glanced at the closed trailer door and lowered her voice. ‘You and Timothy were at it in the spare bedroom at the cottage.’

  Milo folded his arms. ‘Huh. You weren’t asleep.’

  ‘No, I wasn’t. But it cleared up a lot of stuff for me, like the reason you flirted with me but never took it any further when you had the chance. So, you need to set the story straight and say those pictures were all taken out of context. We’re not together, we’re not having “hot sex”, we haven’t even kissed.’

  ‘I can’t do that.’

  Jenna rubbed her fingers across her forehead. ‘Why the hell not?’

  ‘Why are you so bothered about it? Most actresses would kill to be in your position, shagging Milo Blake. How many more followers do you have on Instagram since this story broke?’