Young Adulting

by Christina Benjamin

  Why had I ever invented a fake identity? All of this could’ve been avoided if I’d just been honest from the beginning. Shaking my head, I pushed away my self-loathing and steeled my resolve.

  Today was about Izzy. She was happy and that’s all that mattered.

  I could suck it up long enough to bring her to the famous bench where all her favorite screenwriters had carved their names. I wouldn’t think about the fact that I only knew the writers she loved most because of Leo. I’d help her carve her name and secure her future.

  Mine was a mess and I had no one to blame but myself.

  At least tonight, I could make one of us happy.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Izzy

  We hiked up the trail in companionable silence. At the sight of the old bench at the top, emotions tightened my throat. I couldn’t have spoken if I’d wanted to. Luckily Henry seemed to understand the gravity of this moment for me.

  He quietly handed me his Swiss Army knife, hovering beside me as I etched my name on the bench beside so many legends and greats. So many writers who’d come to this town with the same dream I had.

  To tell stories that change people’s lives. To create something beautiful. Meaningful.

  I set down the knife Henry had lent me and knelt down to study the sight of my name on there.

  The trail was quiet, the sun was setting, and Henry was the person I wanted at my side right now. Right or wrong, I was so happy he was here with me.

  I was beyond moved that he’d given me this gift.

  He reached a hand down and helped me up. “What are you thinking right now?”

  When I turned to face him, he was right there. So close I could touch him.

  “I was thinking how this was truly the perfect birthday gift,” I said softly. “Thank you, Henry.”

  His small smile was sweet and vulnerable. Such a rare sight for this Hollywood hottie who’d developed a thick skin and an even thicker facade to keep from getting hurt.

  I turned back to look out at the view. Funny how LA could look so peaceful from up here.

  “This view helps put things in perspective, doesn’t it?” he asked, his voice quiet like he too didn’t want to disturb the tranquility.

  I shifted closer to him, wanting to feel his heat. Needing him to know how much this day had meant to me.

  How much he meant to me.

  I gestured toward the bench. “This helps put things in perspective, too.”

  I felt his eyes on me but I kept my gaze fixed on the pretty pale pinks and purples that were shading the skyline as the sun sank lower. “I’ve been so caught up in office politics, in this script competition…” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, some of my tension easing as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “This was exactly what I needed to remind me why I’m here. What I’m working so hard for.”

  He gave my shoulders a squeeze and steered me over so we could sit on the bench and take in the view at our leisure.

  “I needed this too,” he said after a long silence.

  Something about the way he said it had me shifting at his side, glancing up at that chiseled jaw and the hint of a dimple.

  He looked down at me and the undisguised emotions in those gorgeous blue eyes left me reeling. “I’ve missed you, Izzy.”

  My heart pounded against my ribcage and I couldn’t have stopped the truth from coming out if I’d tried. “I’ve missed you too, Henry.”

  He lowered his head slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. He was giving me every opportunity to back away, to tell him no…

  I reached for him instead. Clutching my hands in his shirt and pulling him toward me to close the distance.

  His lips crushed mine with a groan and I was home.

  The feel of his arms around me, pressing me to him like he’d never let go. The way his lips moved over mine hungrily, meeting my frantic urgency with a crazed need of his own. I still had his shirt clenched in my hands and I let go only to hold onto him the way he was holding me.

  Like I would hold onto him forever.

  For one blissful, sweet, sexy-as-hell moment we were together and that was all that mattered.

  When he pulled back, his breath labored and his brow furrowed, I froze.

  Alarm bells were ringing in the back of my mind as his gaze dropped and he leaned back further.

  Something was wrong.

  Of course something’s wrong. This is wrong.

  Oh crap. Reality hit me like a frying pan upside the head and left me aching. We’d agreed to keep our distance for a reason.

  When he finally lifted his gaze to meet mine, I knew he was grappling with reality too. He looked so torn as his eyes dropped to my lips, that hunger flaring again. I could practically see the battle going on within him.

  To lose ourselves in the moment or to face the real world and go back to our separate lives.

  “Izzy, before we go any further, we need to talk—”

  “No.” I shook my head quickly, my heart thudding wildly in my chest. I don’t want to talk! I just wanted to live in this fantasy land for a little while longer, was that so wrong?

  Yes. Maybe.

  Henry pulled back further and ran a hand over his face. “There’s something I need to say—”

  “Not now,” I said, desperation in my voice.

  I knew what he wanted to say. I wanted to say it too. This connection between us—it was real, and it was strong, and it...wasn’t going anywhere.

  But if he confessed his feelings for me now…

  I’d have to walk away. I’d have to reject him.

  Because I’d made my choice, and my choice was my dream career.

  “Izzy, please, you need to hear—”

  “No, I don’t,” I interrupted rudely. My voice was too loud and some birds nearby were startled. I watched them fly away to avoid meeting his searching gaze.

  He sighed, but before he could speak again, I turned to him with a pleading look. “Not now, okay?”

  He opened his mouth but hesitated when his gaze met mine.

  “Please,” I said, reaching for his hand. “I’ve had the perfect birthday, thanks to you, and a great Thanksgiving which I hadn’t thought would be possible, and...and I just want to enjoy it a little while longer. Okay?”

  He shut his mouth but a sadness stole over his expression.

  “I know we have a lot to discuss,” I said, squeezing his hand in mine. “But can’t it wait?”

  He groaned softly as he tilted his head back to look up at the sky.

  “Please,” I continued. “Just until my final pitch meeting and after that… After that we can talk about anything you want.”

  A glimmer of hope had me squeezing his hand again, my heart tripping over itself with what ifs and maybe somedays.

  Because once I earned this position at Polarizing Pictures, I’d be here in this city for good. Sure, my parents would be pissed and Fallon would have a hissy fit, but I would be here.

  With Henry.

  And maybe...just maybe...once I’d established myself on my own merit, we could find a way to have a future together.

  I wanted to say all of that to him now, to share my hopes, but the somber look in his eyes stopped me. He still looked worried. Not nearly as hopeful as I was feeling. But after a heartbeat he managed a small smile and flipped his hand over to return my squeeze.

  “After it’s over,” he said. “We’ll talk.”

  The rest of the long weekend break flew by way too quickly and before I knew it I was back in the den of vipers. Er….I mean, the office.

  I was determined to get through the days ahead like a professional. I’d focus on work and avoid all workplace drama at all costs. All that mattered was the final pitch.

  This was the pep talk I’d given myself this morning on the long bus ride to the lot and it was what I’d been repeating to myself all morning as I determinedly ignored the glares and whispers every time I tried to ask a fellow intern about their Thanksgiving
break.

  Right then. Being polite was apparently not in fashion in this office.

  After lunch at my desk, I flipped open my laptop to see an email from Leo.

  A flicker of guilt had me pausing before opening it. At some point, when the script was greenlighted and the three of us were working together, a major discussion would be in our future.

  But I shoved that thought to the side because aside from keeping my head down at the office, I’d promised myself I wouldn’t dwell on thoughts of Henry and our potential future until my job here was certain.

  I took a deep breath and opened the email.

  What’s going on?

  I bit my lip as I read that first line. No Hey Izzy or How was your thanksgiving? The short email started with that abrupt question and only got weirder.

  Why did I get an email from Colin Davis telling me that you’re not working on my script anymore? Are you okay? What’s going on???

  A wave of nausea hit me hard and my hands were clammy when I hit reply.

  I have no idea. Forward me the email?

  A minute later I was staring in horror at Colin’s familiar signature at the bottom of the email. My breathing sounded too loud and my hands were shaking. Adrenaline rushed through me so quickly I could barely see straight.

  I got clumsily to my feet as betrayal and anger and hurt had me rushing toward Colin’s office, phrases from his email to Leo still racing through my mind. Izzy’s done great, but I’ll be taking it from here...She’ll be heading back to Iowa soon so I’ll be stepping in…

  What was going on?

  I had no idea. But I certainly intended to find out.

  I stopped short in the doorway of Colin’s office, ignoring his arched brows because he was in the middle of a phone call.

  The look on my face must have alerted him to the fact that I wasn’t going anywhere because he got off in a hurry and hung up. “Izzy, what’s wrong?”

  “Did you reach out to Leo?” I hated that it came out as a question. I hated it even more than my voice sounding so weak and breathy like a child’s.

  His smile faltered a bit and I caught a flicker of something ugly in his eyes. It was there and gone quickly but then he was leaning back in his seat, his hands clasped in front of him like he had all the time in the world to chat about his betrayal. “He told you.”

  I took a deep breath and tried to match his calm. “Why would you do this? It’s my project, and I haven’t even had a chance to pitch it—”

  “Look, Iz, you did good, okay? I’ll admit it, I wasn’t all that convinced you had what it took to make it in this business but it seems I underestimated you.” He spread his hands wide with a smirk that made my stomach turn. “I’d been surprised you were willing to hook up with some spoiled Hollywood heartthrob, but…” He wagged a finger in my direction. “That’s what I get for underestimating a fellow Iowan, huh?” He chuckled conspiratorially. “And hey, if you were willing to put out, at least it was for Henry Landon.”

  His words made me feel so sick it was hard to keep standing upright. What he was saying...what he was implying…

  The last part registered belatedly. “What do you mean?”

  He ignored my question, moving forward to shuffle some papers on his desk, a move I recognized well. It was a not-so-subtle signal that I’d been dismissed.

  I straightened, that nauseating flood of adrenaline finally turning my shock into anger. “You can’t do this. You can’t steal my script.”

  He arched his brows at my use of the word ‘steal.’ “Actually, sweetheart, I can.” He leaned over the desk and steepled his fingers. “See, you’re a junior intern,” he said slowly, talking to me like I was a moron. “You report to me. Which means, all the work you kids do out there is my responsibility, and ultimately belongs to me.” He smirked. “Got it?”

  “No, that’s not fair—”

  “Fair?” He repeated. I cringed hearing him repeat my word like that. When he said it like that it sounded ridiculously childish. Unforgivably naive.

  “You want fair?” He shook his head with a genuine laugh. “Sweetheart, you’ve come to the wrong town.”

  “I discovered that script in the slush pile,” I said, my jaw so tight with anger the words came out through clenched teeth. “I worked with the screenwriter to make it great, and I got Henry Landon on board. I deserve to pitch this project.”

  He eyed me oddly, like he was seeing me for the first time. “I said it before, Izzy. I underestimated you. You played it smart and you showed more initiative than I ever would have expected from a sweet girl like you. Believe it or not, I’m doing you a favor by taking over.” He gave me a small smile that seemed to be a mockery of the familiar smile I’d once found so comforting. “One day you might even thank me.”

  “Thank you?” I repeated. “Why on earth would I thank you?”

  “Because you’re in over your head. You’re out of your league.” He shook his head slowly. “I got quite the shock this weekend when I realized how deceptive you could be, Miss Ellis.” His voice was almost teasing, but I furrowed my brow in confusion because...what was he even talking about?

  “Hiding Leo Lang’s real identity like that?” His grin was sudden and cold. “Now that was smart.”

  “Hiding Leo…” I repeated his words slowly because….what the hell? What was he even talking about?

  “When the press finds out that Henry Landon is more than a pretty face…” He held up the papers he’d been shuffling and I realized it was the script. “They’re going to eat that up. This is gonna be a hit, and Iz…” He flashed another smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I owe it all to you.”

  My mouth fell open as his words registered, their meaning began to take shape, and the pieces of a puzzle started to click into place. He thought Henry was Leo. That Leo was Henry. “Wait,” I said, trying to slow my heart and steady my voice. “Are you saying that Leo Lang is…”

  “Henry Landon?” he finished. “Of course. You didn’t think you could keep it a secret forever, did you? What, were you waiting until the pitch meeting so you could whip that out as your trump card?” He narrowed his eyes. “Man, you are much smarter than you look.”

  I ignored his insult, too busy staring at the script in his hands as the blood rushed from my head. My hands tingled and the room spun and...oh holy crap, please don’t let me faint in Colin’s office.

  But the sensation passed and I was left shaking. Henry was Leo.

  Leo was Henry.

  I shook my head. “No, that can’t be true.”

  He wouldn’t lie to me like that. Neither of them would.

  Colin’s laughter had me looking up again.

  “Or maybe you’re not smart at all,” he said through his laughter. “Did you really not know?”

  I didn’t answer. I was still too busy trying to convince myself that he was lying.

  “Honestly, Izzy, didn’t you look into your beloved screenwriter at all?” He arched his brows, his eyes still dancing with cruel laughter. “There is no Leo Lang. It didn’t take much digging to figure out who that pen name belongs to.”

  “I don’t believe you,” I said, my body trembling with cold. I don’t want to believe you.

  But a part of me was already starting to wonder, to doubt…

  “You need proof?” Colin asked. He was clearly enjoying himself as he watched me. He held up the script. “His number is right here. What do you say we give good old Leo a call?”

  I wanted to say no. To say stop. I wanted to say I didn’t need proof because I knew he was lying.

  But instead I stood and stared in silence as he typed in the numbers that were right there on the top of the information form that his assistant had likely pulled together.

  Colin put it on speaker and hit ‘call’ and we both waited in silence until a low, warm voice I would recognize anywhere said, “Henry speaking.”

  I’d thought I’d known what betrayal felt like before when I’d read Colin’s ema
il, but I’d been wrong.

  I stared at the phone on Colin’s desk as my heart plummeted to the ground.

  This was betrayal.

  Chapter Twenty

  Henry

  “Henry?”

  I heard Izzy’s unmistakable voice on the other end of the line and felt my blood run cold.

  No! This wasn’t happening. Not like this.

  But as I quickly looked at the studio number displayed across my screen, I knew this nightmare was real.

  Before I could gather my thoughts to explain myself, a male voice barged in.

  “This is Colin Davis from Polarizing Pictures. I was just looking over your script, hoping you could clear something up for me. Do you prefer to go by Henry or Leo?” The man had the gall to laugh. “You know what? It really doesn’t matter. I’ll figure it out. I look forward to working with you.”

  It was like I’d lost the ability to speak. I just stood there rooted to the spot, clutching my phone as the world crumbled around me.

  The phone went dead, but I couldn’t stop hearing the frantic warble to Izzy’s voice as she said my name. I never knew a name could hold so much emotion, but the way Izzy had said it, so full of horrified shock and devastating disappointment…it made my heart feel like it was caving in.

  I could imagine her standing there, in Colin’s office, her lips parted in that adorable O-shape she did every time something surprised her. But this wasn’t a good surprise. This was a disaster.

  All I wanted to do was run to her and erase the last few minutes so we could go back to clinging to the desperate hope of a future together. Because without it…

  I couldn’t even bring myself to finish that thought.

  I already felt the hope draining out of me as my pulse pounded my foolishness loudly in my ears, driving home my own stupidity with each rhythmic beat of my ruined heart. This was my fault. I should have told Izzy the truth on her birthday. I should have told her any number of times, actually. But I’d been a coward.