The lines were right but the body language for the scene was all wrong. Instead of snuggling up next to him as she tried to convince her “Phil” that he was the best candidate, Tyler looked like she wished she was on Mars.
“Cut!” shouted Nate.
Obviously Piper wasn’t the only one noting the problem. She gnawed her lip wondering if this would get better or if she’d made a huge miscalculation.
“Piper.”
She turned toward Myles and realized it wasn’t the first time he’d said her name. They were supposed to be running lines in the wings and she was falling down on her part in a spectacular fashion. She turned her back to the stage and put her attention fully on her co-star. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“You’ve been awfully distracted the past week.”
“I know. I suck. I’ll be better, I promise.”
Instead of exasperation, he offered her a smirk. “You know, you might have a better time running your lines if you weren’t busy plotting interference with your best friend’s love life.”
She froze, her heart giving a panicked lurch. Only years of training to speak calmly despite nerves kept her voice from shaking. “What?”
He crossed his arms and gave her a busted look. “I know what you and Tucker did.”
Casting a fast look around to see that they were alone, Piper yanked him into a prop closet and shut the door. Of course, that closed them in to blackness. “Dammit, where’s the light?”
She began to pat the walls around the door, aware of Myles shifting against who knew what behind her. She heard the sound of metal scraping ceramic as he found the pull chain and turned on the anemic bulb above them.
He should’ve looked ridiculous, standing there with a fake palm tree at his back and the tentacles from a purple foam octopus dangling above his head. Instead he looked just a little bit dangerous with that oh you’re in trouble now expression.
“Why would you think Tucker and I did anything?” she demanded.
“Well, the fact that you dragged me in here for something other than making out like teenagers kinds of screams guilt. I was guessing before, but you just confirmed my suspicions.”
Piper cursed her impulsivity. But maybe this was still salvageable. “What is it you think we did?”
“You’re pulling a Phil and Judy on Phil and Judy. Handy that you’re a nurse. Did you bring anybody else in on things or did you put the cast on yourself?”
Oh God. Oh God, he really had figured it out. “But...how did you…?”
“I’m an investigative reporter by training, sweetheart. And as good an actress as you are on stage, subterfuge isn’t your forte.”
Oh no. Did Tyler suspect? No, surely not. She wouldn’t hesitate to come kick Piper’s ass into the next county if she knew. Another spurt of panic kicked her into motion. She flew at Myles, pressing him back against the palm tree. “You can’t tell a soul. This is too important.”
“Is it important for the show or important for your friend?”
Frustration bubbled. “Both.” He didn’t know the history, couldn’t understand what this was really about.
“And exactly how does that fit in with that personal code of yours? You told me you wouldn’t do anything to endanger the show. And I’m thinking this setup is a ticking time bomb of potential nasty.”
He wasn’t wrong. Watching for signs of disaster was why she’d been absolute crap with learning her part. “You don’t understand,” she insisted.
r /> “You’re right. I don’t. But I’ll give you a chance to plead your case over dinner.”
Surely she hadn’t heard him right. “Dinner?”
“At my place,” he continued, “so we won’t risk being overheard since that’s a concern for you.”
“You’re blackmailing me?”
“Technically this is extortion.” The bastard had the nerve to offer a cheeky grin. “So what’s it going to be? Dinner or do I blow this whole thing sky high?”
“You’d seriously march out there right now and tell them?”