He paused for a second, then seemed to remember something. His eyes

narrowed. "Are you hungry?"

"Nope."

"How about we talk first, then eatter?"

"Sure!"

Winona strode right into the living room and flopped onto the couch.

Keaton, wearing straight-leg jeans and a crisp new shirt from thetest V collection, padded into the kitchen in his designer slippers-seriously, those things cost more than most people''s cars. He came back with two cans of craft beer, handed one to Winona after popping the tab for her. She didn''t hesitate, just downed the whole thing in one go.

Before Keaton could react, she snatched his beer right out of his hand and chugged that too.

He stared at her, stunned. "Whoa-Winona! What''s going on? You okay?"

She looked up at him, and her expression had totally changed her eyes were red and ssy, like she was about to burst into tears. She looked so small and vulnerable all of a sudden.

"Keaton, just tell me the truth. Are we actually friends?"

Keaton''s heart skipped a beat. He was a total sucker for a pretty face in tears. "Of course we are! Why would you even ask that?"

She pressed on, "Then did you know your parents are trying to set us up?"

Keaton hesitated. "Yeah, I know."

Winona red. "And you never thought to tell me?!"

He shrugged, looking sheepish. "I didn''t think it was a big deal. It''s not like we''re actually going to date or anything. They''re not forcing anything, just let them dream. It''s not affecting us."

Winona huffed, "Not affecting you, maybe. But it''s a disaster for me! Beatrix came after me today!"

Keaton blinked. "She did? When?"

"This morning! She called me a homewrecker. Said I was stealing you from her!

She even threatened me―told me to stay away from you or else!"

Keaton frowned, doubtful. "Seriously?"

She pulled out her phone, scrolled, then shoved it in his face.

He squinted at the messages. "...Alright. I''ll talk to her."

Winona shook her head, frustrated. "What good will that do? I already tried exining she doesn''t believe mel She''s convinced I''m after you, and anything you say will just make it worse!"  s

"If she spreads this online tomorrow, I''ll get roasted alive! The press doesn''t care about the truth, only clicks. I''ll be branded a cheater. Even if they don''t ckball me, my career will take a fit!"  s

"Keaton, I thought we were friends. But if this mess ruins what I''ve worked for, I swear I''ll lose it!"

"Yeah, I could quit and still live just

fine, but acting-this is my dream!

Pet

Ever since was a kid, I wanted to win an Oscar, a BAFTA, everything! If Beatro wrecks, all that you''re responsible-" Her voice cracked, and finally she burst into tears.

s

Keaton panicked. In all the years he''d known her, he''d never seen Winona cry. He scrambled for a box of tissues and handed them over.

"Winona, don''t cry. Please. I promise I''ll handle Beatrix, okay?"

She looked up at him, tears clinging to hershes. "How? You already admitted to

assaulting her. Do you think you have any credibility with her now?"

"She''s only acting this way because you let her! If you''d denied it, if you''d exposed what the Sutton family did to you, she wouldn''t dare threaten me—or keep clinging to you!"

Keaton fell silent, brow furrowing.

Winona pressed, voice shaking, "What really happened between you and Beatrix?

Why did you take the me for something you didn''t do?"