Free The Hollywood Effect by Marin Harlock

why I’m here,” she started.  
    “The thought had crossed my mind…” I admitted.  
    Holly started twirling her cup around, before blowing on it. “Well. I don’t know if Liam told you or not, but we’re having a few…problems…” I nodded when she looked up from her cup at me.   “I want to fix them.”  
    “…Okay…” I said slowly. I had no idea how she thought I could fix her problems.  
    “It didn’t mean anything, you see. Nothing at all. It was a big mistake. He’s got to know that. I would never intentionally hurt him. Liam is my soul mate.”  
    She actually had tears in her eyes. I hated it when people cried. It either made me cry too, or feel completely helpless and want to hug them.  
    “Ummm… I’m sorry, Holly, but I don’t really know what you think I can do?” I said uncertainly. I still had no idea why she was here, in this country, sitting at my kitchen table.  
    “I know he’s not serious about you,” she started. I just stared at her and then blinked rather rapidly. “I mean, I know he’s just trying to make me jealous, and to get back at me.”  
    She looked up at me and pushed her blonde hair out of her sky-blue eyes. I don’t know what my face looked like, but it must have been fairly amusing.  
    “Oh, honey, I don’t mean anything nasty by that. I know you’re a nice girl and all, and you’re pretty enough in you’re own rustic girl-next-door kind of way, but Liam and I have something very special, and we understand each other. When you’re in our business, you need someone who gets it, and I get it, and he gets it and we get each other. You’re a normal person, he couldn’t make you happy,” she said confidently.
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said stiffly. “I know there were some pictures, but Liam and I are just friends.”  
    “So you didn’t -” Holly started. I cut her off before she could say anything else.  
    “No, we’re just friends. The last time we so much as kissed was last century.”  
    “You’ve kissed him?” Holly sat up straighter.  
    “We were five…” I sighed.  
    “Oh,” Holly laughed and slumped back into her chair.  
    “I’m sorry again about barging in here. I guess I’m not in a very good frame of mind. I’m so very tired. Do you know how long the flight from Los Angeles to here is? And then the drive on top of it! My goodness.”
    “Yes, I’ve done it a time or two…” I said slowly. “Do you want to take a nap or something? You can have my bed,” I said.   “The sheets are clean,” I added when I saw her hesitate.  
    Holly nodded. “That would be lovely. I’d like to freshen up a bit before I see Liam. You’ll call him for me won’t you? He’s not answering my calls.”  
    I knew I’d probably end up regretting it, but I promised Holly that I would call Liam for her and at least tell him she was here.  
    I showed her to the bathroom and got her a fresh towel from the linen closet.  
    “Take your time,” I said and closed the door on her.  
    I slowly walked to my bedroom, shaking my head to myself. So much for a quiet weekend. I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I hadn’t looked at it since I’d left Dad’s. There was a message from Liam.  
    Thanks for coming tonight, it was fun. Hope you got home safe xox. See you tomorrow?  
    I took a deep breath started typing a reply. I really would have preferred to call, but the walls in this house were pretty thin and I didn’t really want Holly eavesdropping, accidentally or not.  
    Me: Hey, thanks for having me, I had a great time. You’ll never guess who was waiting for me when I got home…
    Liam: Ohh, a guessing game. Dan? About time we had a reunion. Or was it your ex-boyfriend?
    Hah, I wished it was as simple as our other best friend turning up.  
    Me: I wish it was that simple. It’s Holly. I held my breath after I sent the message. How would he react? I didn’t have to wait long for a reply. My phone