~
The post-premiere party was held in an old chocolate factory-turned-swanky bar. Apart from the principal cast and crew, there were a lot of other celebrities whose agents had managed to snag them an invite. A few A-listers and lots of reality TV faces. Jenna had no clue who many of them were, apart from The Love Hotel contingent who’d been on at the same time as Heidi. Heidi of course seemed to know everyone.
Finn took two glasses of champagne from a passing waitress and handed one to Jenna.
‘I feel out of my depth.’ He looked around the bar packed with people glammed up for the evening. It was filled with lots of sparkle, little black dresses, tuxes and over-the-top air kissing.
‘You and me both.’
‘Yeah, but I’m not used to any of this and I’ve just watched you killing it on the big screen. Doesn’t really compare.’ His eyes widened. ‘Heads up, Milo’s coming our way.’
Apart from on the red carpet and on stage before watching the film, Jenna hadn’t seen Milo for months. He’d been on the press tour in the US and around Europe, while she’d only done some press about the film in the UK. He was the big star, the one booked for The Graham Norton Show and interviewed on BBC Radio 1. His fame was stratospheric compared to hers.
He reached them, his hand immediately finding her shoulder. ‘Hey, how you both doing? Finn, good to see you again.’ They shook hands and Jenna couldn’t help but think of the ridiculous situation they’d found themselves in the summer before last.
‘You too,’ Finn said.
Jenna wasn’t convinced that there was any truth in that reply; there was no love lost between Finn and Milo.
‘Do you mind if I talk to Jenna for a moment.’
Finn looked at Jenna and she nodded.
‘I’ll be over there.’ He kissed her cheek and walked off.
‘I’m glad you’re with him, Jenna. He seems a nice guy.’ He sidled closer, the waft of his aftershave strong as his hand rested on her hip. ‘And fit as anything.’
‘Yes he is. Timothy’s fit too if you took time to notice.’
Milo glanced behind them.
‘Don’t worry,’ Jenna said. ‘I won’t say a thing. I never will, I promise you that.’
‘Well thank you, I appreciate it because after how it all kicked off, well, I wouldn’t blame you if you had spilt the beans.’
‘You realise I’m doing it for Timothy, not you.’
‘I gathered that.’
‘He’s a bloody decent bloke. You should do right by him.’
‘I know, I know.’ He waved at a passing actor. ‘I will do, one day.’
Jenna folded her arms. ‘One day. What are you waiting for? Someone to force you to speak out? I don’t understand why you don’t do it on your own terms?’
He rubbed the stubble on his chin. ‘It’s not that simple, Jenna.’
‘It really is. You either love someone or you don’t.’
Milo took her arm and steered her away from the group of people next to them. ‘What I wanted to come over and say to you is, I’m sorry. Deeply sorry about the stress and upset I caused you when we were filming. I was selfish. I made assumptions about you and didn’t mean to mess around with your life quite as much as I did. I think you’re unusual – in a good way. You don’t seem to want fame for fame’s sake.’
‘It’s not that I don’t want to be famous, it’s just I want to be known for acting, not anything else.’
‘That’s what I mean by unusual. Most twenty-something’s whether they’re actors or not crave fame and would lap up the attention. I mean, look at Heidi. But not you. I like that about you, Jenna Wilson.’ He touched her bare arm. ‘And I really am glad you’ve kissed and made up with Finn. He’s quite a catch.’
His stubble tickled her skin as he kissed her cheek. He turned to go.
‘Milo.’ Jenna caught his hand. ‘You’re too good an actor to ever lose out on parts because of your sexuality. You’re incredible in the film, you know that right? Just wait until the reviews are published tomorrow. And if casting directors have an issue with you being gay, well then that’s their problem and they’ll be the ones to lose out. All the fame, all the gossip that constantly surrounds you, it totally gets in the way of how awesome you are when you’re on that big screen.’ She squeezed his hand and looked intently into his hazel eyes. ‘You shouldn’t have to lie about who you are, and certainly not when you’re so damn talented.’
Jenna walked away, adrenalin pumping through her. Yes, he’d messed her around that summer, but she had initially liked him. His bad judgement may have clouded that for a time but now they were out the other side and the gossip had died down, she couldn’t help but warm to him again. But without Timothy’s honesty, she and Finn may have lost their chance of getting together forever.
She smiled at familiar and unfamiliar faces as she made her way to join Finn, Ade, Carla, Lily and Amanda and their partners at a large circular table.
Jenna slid on to the seat next to Finn.
‘What did he want?’ Finn asked.
‘Believe it or not, to apologise.’
‘Are you sure? Not the opportunity for a photographer to take a picture with his arm around you?’
‘You noticed huh?’
‘Yep. And even through all these people, I’m sure a photographer somehow managed to get that shot.’
‘I gave him a piece of my mind too...’
‘Is Heidi with Milo again?’ Lily shouted across the table above the thump thump thump of the music.
Jenna shrugged. ‘Who knows? I don’t think either Milo or Heidi know what they want from each other.’
‘Well.’ Amanda motioned towards the crowded bar. ‘Heidi’s just cornered him so...’
Jenna wondered
