The next morning, Rae barely had time to process the whirlwind news from the night before.
She woke up to sunlight filtering through her curtains and a dozen unread texts, most of them from Vivienne.
Vivienne: Xander Hale arrives at 10. Vivienne: Be dressed. Casual cute. Vivienne: We need the "girl next door meets rising star" vibe. Vivienne: Rae, are you awake? Helloooo?
Rae rubbed her eyes and groaned. This was happening. This was really happening.
She quickly threw on a soft sweater, denim skirt, and sneakers. Hair: soft waves. Makeup: natural but glowy.
By the time she stepped outside her house, a sleek black town car was waiting. A production assistant waved her in.
"We're heading to The Grove for the promo shoot," he said cheerfully. "Xander's meeting us there."
Rae nodded, stomach twisting. It wasn't nerves exactly. It was more like anticipation, with a dash of chaos.
---
The Grove was buzzing when they arrived. Lights, cameras, stylists. A small crowd had already gathered around the makeshift set.
And there he was.
Xander Hale.
He looked like he'd stepped straight out of a teen drama: tousled dark hair, chiseled jawline, perfect skin, and a leather jacket thrown over a fitted gray tee. When he turned, his eyes landed on Rae.
He smiled. Dimples.
"Rae Morgan," he said, walking up. "Welcome to the chaos."
She blinked. "You know my name."
"You got the part. I do my homework."
He held out a hand, and she shook it. Firm grip, warm smile, movie-star charm.
"Alright, lovebirds," a voice called. "Photos first, then the interview. Let's move."
They were ushered onto a vibrant pastel set, mock props from their upcoming show placed strategically behind them. Rae had to remind herself to breathe as she and Xander were posed in increasingly flirty setups: back-to-back, him lifting her in a playful twirl, them laughing mid-shot.
The chemistry? It was real. Maybe too real.
During a break, Xander sat beside her on a bench. "You're doing great, by the way. Natural."
Rae smiled. "Thanks. I'm still kind of new to all this."
He nudged her with his shoulder. "Don't worry. You and I? We're going to blow people away."
Before she could respond, she heard someone say her name.
"Rae?"
She turned.
Milo.
He stood just a few feet away, holding a coffee tray and looking like he'd walked in on something he wasn't supposed to see.
"Vivienne sent me to drop these off. She said you might need a caffeine rescue."
Rae jumped up, cheeks already flushing. "Milo! I didn't know you were coming."
Xander stood as well, watching with interest.
"Milo. Xander. Xander, this is my friend Milo."
Xander offered a polite nod. "Hey."
Milo nodded back. "So, this is the guy? The co-star boot camp guy?"
Rae laughed nervously. "Yeah. We're doing a little promo thing today."
Milo handed her a coffee. "Well. Good luck with that. You looked like you were killing it."
His voice was calm, but his jaw was tight.
Rae sensed it instantly. The tension. The shift.
"Wanna hang around?" she asked. "Maybe catch the interview?"
Milo shook his head. "Nah, I should go. Just wanted to drop this off."
She touched his arm. "You sure?"
He paused. "Yeah. Have fun."
He turned and left.
Xander watched him go. "So... that's the friend, huh?"
Rae didn't respond.
---
Later that evening, they were wrapping up the last set of interviews. Rae sat in the dressing trailer, touching up her makeup.
Xander leaned against the doorframe. "Hey, so... I was thinking."
She looked up. "Yeah?"
"We should hang out sometime. Outside of all this. Get to know each other."
Rae blinked. "Like... rehearsing? Or like..."
He smiled. "Like not rehearsing."
Rae's mind scrambled. This was what people dreamed of, right? Hollywood crush asks you out? But instead of butterflies, her stomach twisted.
She opened her mouth, but the door swung open again.
Milo.
His hair was wind-swept, and he had a folder in his hand. "Sorry to interrupt. Vivienne asked me to bring you these scene notes."
Rae stood. "You came back?"
He shrugged. "Just wanted to make sure you had everything."
His eyes flicked to Xander, who hadn't moved from the doorway.
The silence stretched.
Xander stepped out, his voice light. "Catch you later, Rae."
When the door shut, Rae turned to Milo.
"That was... weird," she said.
Milo leaned against the counter. "He's... a lot."
She laughed. "Yeah. He is."
He looked at her. "You like him?"
She hesitated. "I don't know. It's all just happening really fast."
Milo nodded, jaw clenched. "Right. Well. You two look good on camera."
Rae looked at him. "Why does that sound like a goodbye?"
He looked away. "Because maybe it is."
She took a step toward him. "Milo..."
"I should go."
Before she could say anything, he slipped out the door.
Rae stood alone in the dressing trailer, surrounded by lights and mirrors and everything she'd supposedly wanted.
And yet, nothing felt right.