The heart is beating.

The wrap party was in full swing. Everyone was chanting for Jason and Sarah to "kiss, kiss, kiss," just like their characters in the show. They exchanged a look, a knowing smile, and then, bam, they were lip-locked. Amidst the whoops and hollers, someone yelled, "How about the second lead and the male lead, huh?"

Jason's face went stone cold.

The second lead was me. And I was Jason's actual girlfriend.

The room went silent, thick with awkwardness. Sarah quickly looped her arm around Jason's. "Come on, guys, don't be silly. I'll give Jason another kiss! Don't make him do something he doesn't want to."

Doesn't want to? I thought about the guy who'd had me pinned against a wall the night before, kissing me for a good ten minutes. I set down my drink, walked over to them, and plastered a smile on my face. "It's just a kiss, right? No big deal. Come on, movie star, play along."

Jason's brow furrowed. "Amy." Warning bells.

"Amy, honey," Sarah chirped, shielding Jason with her body. "Everyone's just joking. Don't take it seriously." Her hand rested possessively on Jason's waist. They looked like a picture of inseparable bliss.

"Get off him," I said quietly.

Sarah blinked, her eyes instantly welling up. Jason's expression darkened. "Amy, don't make a scene."

Sarah tugged on his sleeve. "Don't be so harsh. Amy's probably just had a bit too much to drink. It's the wrap party, don't be mad." He gave her a look of exasperated fondness and gently squeezed her hand. So intimate.

I looked up at him, this man who was so eager to protect Sarah. Just like in the show, I was the villain, and he was the devoted boyfriend. Except I was his real girlfriend, and he’d never protected me like this, not once, not in public.

"Get out," I said, the word laced with disgust. "Both of you. Get out."

Of course, they didn't. I stormed out, slamming the door behind me.

Later, sitting on the hotel roof, nursing a drink, a text from Jason arrived: "Come back. Apologize to Sarah. Say you were drunk."

Right. I blocked his number.

A light rain started to fall. I tilted my head back, feeling the dampness on my face. It made me think of the four years I'd spent with Jason. Four years I'd stood by him, watching him rise from internet fame to a bona fide movie star.

He'd gotten his big break in a web series, a surprise hit. The studio paired him with Sarah, his co-star, and forced them into a fake relationship for publicity. He’d hated it at first. He’d hold me and say, "I'm so sorry, babe. I don't want to do this. I have to pretend she’s you just to make myself smile."

He'd promised, "Just wait, babe. When I’m big enough, when I don’t have to play their games anymore, I’ll tell the whole world I love you."

We’d talked about the future. A dog, two kids, a cozy life together.

When had things changed? He’d started returning my calls less and less, while the looks he gave Sarah grew softer and softer. They played the "couple" game for four years, never confirming, always h...