Elle’s fingers were growing hot as they darted between the keys. Furiously the script for episode ten spilled from her brain and onto the screen of her laptop. She was satisfied with the way the storyline was building, and even though she’d promised Rob she’d allow the other writers to assist with this episode, she was determined to get the “bones” written before they gave their input. They had all reviewed the episodes she’d written thus far and had sent their approval and praise via e-mail, which made her feel all the more confident about building the David McKenzie storyline.
A knock on her office door brought her back to reality. Within seconds of the knock, Whitney slid herself inside Elle’s office, closing the door behind her. She closed her eyes and knocked the back of her head softly into the door. Obviously the conflict between Nolan and Gina had spread throughout the staff.
“Whit, I love you, but I really don’t have time—”
“Did you know they were a couple? Because I swear I didn’t!” Whitney took a seat facing Elle, who, realizing she would not be getting any more writing done, closed her laptop and focused her attention on her distraught best friend.
“Nolan told me today. Gina was pretty pissed during the table read.”
“Seriously, I never would have done that had I known. I’m not a home wrecker.”
Elle sat back in her chair, realizing just how upset Whitney was. “Of course you’re not. Nolan said it was casual.”
“Not according to Gina. She just bitched me out in my office!”
“How did she even find out?”
“Tabloid. I guess someone had a picture of us making out in his car after the wrap party. They’re trying to pass it off as recent.”
Whitney’s dark hair spilled down her arms as she pretended to bash her head slowly into Elle’s desk.
“Ugh, that happens all the time, though, right?”
“I know, but Gina’s not buying it. And I guess they started heating up this summer . . . way after Nolan and I hooked up.”
“I’m assuming you told her this?”
“Of course I did. But apparently they’ve been sleeping together off and on for months . . . like since we started filming last season.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I had no clue.” Elle wondered how so much could be happening right under her nose. Was she oblivious? Or were they just talented at sneaking around?
“No one did. They were like ninjas. So stealth.”
“Stealth sex ninjas,” Elle added with a chuckle before diving into her drawer for reinforcements. Her hand dug through several stacked packages of candy.
“Please tell me you have Swedish Fish.”
Elle grabbed one of the yellow boxes with the signature red writing. It was their favorite, the very first thing that bonded them. Years earlier, during their first one-on-one meeting, Elle had offered Whitney some Swedish Fish. They’d bonded over sweets ever since. She poked a finger into the side of the box, tearing off the top and popping the inside bag to reveal the delectable smell of syrupy sugar in the form of little fish. She offered them to Whitney first, who grabbed the box and held them close to her chest as she scooped them in.
Elle rolled her eyes. “No worries, I’m not hungry or anything.”
“Oh.” Whitney glanced down at the candy box security blanket as she shoveled two more fish into her mouth. “Sowwy.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, dork. Now listen, this is all going to blow over. Nolan and Gina will talk it through and she’ll calm down.”
“And if not?”
Elle did her best to ease Whitney’s stress. “And if not, he’ll still be gone by the end of the season.”
The two ladies allowed themselves to erupt into devious laughter.
“You’re so bad,” Whitney said between bites of bright red candy.
Elle nodded. “And that’s why you love me.”
“Speaking of bad . . .” Whitney’s words trailed off as she wiggled her wicked eyebrows at Elle. “How’s Mr. Gorgeous? Sleep with him yet?”
“Not yet. But I’m seeing him tonight.”
Whitney popped one last piece of candy in her mouth before handing the almost-empty box back to Elle. Elle peered into the box before giving Whitney a look of surprise. How on earth did she remain so skinny with that appetite? She was like a tornado of hunger.
“So . . . is tonight the night?”
“Maybe.” Now it was Elle’s turn to clutch the box of candy like a fiend. She bit the head off one of the innocent