Hollywood Punch Read Online Free Page B

‘bitchin’ I’m kicking him out of my office.
    â€œOkay, so great,” I say, standing up. “If I think of anything else, I’ll call you!”
    Trip stays planted in his seat.
    â€œI’m sorry,” he says. “I don’t mean to be bugging you. It’s just that there is so much pressure on me to make this thing great. It just needs a little oomph. Something to make it stand out from all of those other romantic comedies out there. This means a lot to me. And to Ava.”
    And just like that, I begin to soften. I was so busy trying to one-up Trip that I forgot that there are things that I actually like about him. His determination. His stick-to-it-ness. For a moment, I remember how devoted he could be to something he believed in. Which is probably what makes him such a great agent. Seeing him work so hard at something really makes me feel like I want to help.
    I try to formulate the words—how exactly do you tell your ex that you brought a fake date to his wedding?—and just as I am about to tell him the truth, the thing that will make his movie truly great, he says:
    â€œThat’s it. I just figured it out.”
    â€œWhat?” I ask, curious to hear what fabulous plot point he’s come up with. See, Trip was right—collaborating can be fun!
    â€œWhy you’re not wearing your ring,” he says. “That’s it. I’ve figured it out.”
    â€œFigured what out?” I say back very quickly, suddenly squirming in my office chair. This will be so much more embarrassing if he’s figured out what I’ve done before I get to fess up to him and maintain at least one tiny shred of dignity.
    â€œYou’re pregnant!” he says, jumping up from his chair and running around my desk to give me a hug. “That’s why you’re not wearing your ring! I knew you looked a bit bloated today. But, you’re pregnant, aren’t you? Aren’t you?!? You can tell me.”
    Note to self: Must go home immediately and burn this entire outfit. And then murder my ex-boyfriend.
    â€œI. Am. Not. Pregnant.”
    â€œOh, man,” he says, arms falling down to his sides as he releases his grip on me. “Are you sure?”
    â€œOh yes,” I say. “I’m sure. Not pregnant, just bloated.”
    â€œI don’t know what to say, Brooke.”
    And with that, those old feelings are gone.
    â€œGet out,” I say, and Trip finally leaves my office.

Chapter Five
    â€œWhat’s great about this film is that I don’t have to lose weight for the part,” Ava says to Nancy O’Dell. “In fact, they’re encouraging me to gain more!”
    Nancy O’Dell nods back knowingly. I can just picture the two of them out to dinner now— I can have even more edamame?! And I can actually leave the rice on my sushi rolls?! Oh, happy day!
    â€œNow, that sounds like my kind of shoot!” Lara says and she and Ava break out in giggles.
    My ex-boyfriend’s wife is on Entertainment Tonight today to talk about the new movie she’s starring in. That my ex-boyfriend wrote. About my life. Yes, my ex-boyfriend has taken the single most humiliating moment of my life, attending his wedding, and is turning it into a major motion picture, set for release next summer.
    You can catch it when it comes out on the big screen, but please just do me a favor and don’t tell me if you go.
    Oh, please. As if you’re not dying to go and see it now that I’ve told you all about it.
    I roll my eyes at my best friend, Vanessa. She rolls back and takes a handful of popcorn. We both rushed home from work tonight to watch Ava’s appearance together. We’re at her apartment in comfy sweatpants, with a huge bowl of popcorn between us and a pitcher of margaritas to help wash it down. The pain, that is. Not the popcorn. (But it works on the popcorn, too.)
    â€œObviously they’re not talking about you,”