The Director's Cut by Js Taylor (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📕

all accounts, this is Lorna’s new boyfriend. He flew out to Spain to be with her. But he’s also got some serious history with James. And here he is, waving a newspaper at me and staring at me with frankly all-too-obvious intentions.

“Oh, yes,” says Ben, as if he’s forgotten. He raises his newspaper. “You didn’t see the headlines then? It looks as though Berkeley is finally getting his comeuppance.”

Anger and fear churn in my stomach.

“What do mean?”

Ben waves the paper at me, and I grab it off him and read the headline.

World Exclusive! James Berkeley admits that he’s not marriage material.

My mouth falls open in shock.

I feel like I’ve been body-slammed. The unexpected sight of Ben and his revelation of the headline are hitting me in double time.

“So,” says Ben, smugly. “Looks like Saint Berkeley has finally been brought low. I hope you weren’t foolish enough to be taken in by him, Issy.”

Something about the genuine pleasure Ben takes from this raises alarm bells.

Could Ben be the leak, after all? He certainly seems unnaturally pleased by the negative press.

I close my eyes for a second, trying to take everything in. Of course I knew the divorce had been announced. James told me days ago.

Out of the UK, I’d managed to avoid any celebrity news. But seeing it in black and white makes it all so real.

But the headline means something else.

It looks as though James has given the interview he promised to the reporter yesterday. And by the words of the headline, James has not come across well.

I wrench open the newspaper to see an old picture of James, taken with Madison. They’ve managed to catch an angle where Madison looks sad and James looks bored.

I catch a few key phrases. They seem to be referring to James as a spoiled bachelor who is unable to commit to a single woman.

“Berkeley claims he missed his bachelor lifestyle,” I read. “He admits he is still not ready to settle down.”

It’s so unfair. And it’s so untrue. James would never have said that. Why are they reporting him like this?

I feel tears welling up and fight to push them down.

Suddenly, I realise what’s happened. James is too smart to have let slip the things written in this interview.

He’s made a deal to convince the reporter to drop the story.

James’s words are replaying themselves in my head.

I’d walk over hot coals to protect you, Issy.

James must have promised the reporter a chance to drag him through the mud to prevent a story on us being published.

Oh James. Why did you do it?

But I know. I’ve been naïve. No reporter would have agreed to drop such a big story unless there was something very compelling in the exchange.

James knew that. The thought brings a flood of love for him. Stupid, brave James. He sacrificed his reputation to keep us out of the press.

“I thought you might have had a crush on Berkeley,” Ben is saying.

I force my attention back into the hotel lobby, only barely registering that Ben is still here.

“But Lorna told me you were too smart,” he adds.

I hand him back his newspaper in a daze.

“Um. Yeah,” I say vaguely. “James Berkeley is not really my type.”

“Then you’re cleverer than most,” says Ben. “He’s a handsome son-of-a-bitch. Most girls don’t see through that. They can only think from between their legs.”

Ben says this last part with an unpleasant look of distaste on his face.

I have a sudden picture of the contempt which Ben feels for women.

Ugh. Ben Gracey might be handsome. But he is a truly ugly person.

I am itching to be away from him. I can almost feel my skin crawl.

“So, are you waiting for your girlfriend?” I ask, hoping to bring the subject to his leaving.

Ben’s face flickers surprise, and then confusion.

“Lorna,” I clarify, not bothering to keep the disgust from my voice.

“Oh, yeah.” Ben gives me an easy smile. “Well, me and Lorna. You know. It’s very free with us. Very casual. You know.”

“No,” I reply acidly. “I don’t.”

Ben puts out a hand and touches my shoulder. I supress a shudder.

“Maybe we could go for a drink?” he suggests. “In the lobby bar? Whilst we wait for Lorna? You really are looking beautiful, Issy.”

Is he joking? My eyes widen in shock.

Ben Gracey actually has the nerve to try and pick me up. Whilst he’s waiting to take my best friend out.

I’m about to tell him that I rather stab my own eyes out, when a sudden sly thought hits me.

Could I find out whether Ben knows anything about the leak?

To my mind, Ben is still a prime suspect. Even if James thinks differently.

And if Ben is deluded enough to think I’d be interested in him, then perhaps he’s dumb enough to let something slip.

The idea rolls around my mind.

Is this a chance to find out if Ben’s behind it all?

“Ok,” I hear myself saying. “Why not?”

Ben gives me a broad smile, which I have no doubt has worked to charm countless girls.

“Then after you,” he says, tilting his head and gesturing with his hand that I should go ahead. “Staggering beauty before landed wealth.” He gives an awful laugh at this last part.

Ugh. How can Lorna stand him? He’s so smug and arrogant. What kind of guy mentions his wealth like that?

But whilst my mind is uncertain, my feet, at least, have a clear plan. They walk forward into the hotel lobby bar.

Chapter 22

Ben has dialled the charm up a notch as we slide onto the high stools which front the bar.

“Let me choose you a cocktail,” he says, opening the menu. “I know all the best drinks here.”

I say nothing in response. My mind is whirling.

Ok, Issy, strange choice. You’re in a bar with a man you hate. You’d better get the goods, if this is going to be worth it.

“So Ben,” I say, aiming for a light smile, and leaning closer. “You’ve got a little history with Berkeley, right?”

Almost as soon as the