I headed back to the hotel and soaked my feet with a whole bottle of lavender bath salts. After that weird confrontation on set, I was feeling a little like I was in over my head. I missed Mia, and wished I could talk to her about what was going on, but doing so would mean telling her the truth, and my NDA forbid that. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with feelings of loneliness.

Just then, my phone buzzed. I had a text from my sister’s friend, Emmy, who had relocated to the UK after falling in love. Paige had offered to connect us on the off chance we’d be able to see each other.

Hey! I’m going to be near you on Thursday, Emmy’s text read. Want to get together for tea and scones?

I felt a wave of relief. Girl time was exactly what I needed right now.

Yes please! I texted back.

Thursday couldn’t come soon enough, and I found the next couple of days passed in a blur. I spent some time on set with Jax, and we managed to keep things cozy for the public, but the minute we got back to the hotel, things were awkward. We hadn’t really spoken about the minor argument we’d had, and I was still a little annoyed about the whole thing, so I was really looking forward to getting some real girl talk in with Emmy.

She had chosen a sweet little tea shop in town, and this time I made sure to wear appropriate shoes when I walked there. The countryside was beautiful, and now that my feet didn’t hurt, I had the chance to really take it all in.

Emmy was waiting when I got to the shop and leapt up with an enthusiastic wave. She was dressed in a bright-print dress—one of her own designs, I was guessing—and had her brown hair pulled up in a ponytail. “Paige!” she squealed, smothering me in a hug.

I hugged her back happily. She and Paige had stayed with me a couple of times when they visited NYC in college, and even though she was a few years younger than me, I was thrilled to see a friendly face. One that wasn’t going to be watching me with an eagle eye while I interacted with Jax.

“It’s so good to see you!” Emmy said once we had each ordered a full cream tea.

“And you,” I told her. “I’m really glad you texted.”

“And I’m really glad you were free,” Emmy responded. “I love going and supporting Charlie at these charity events but sometimes the whole royal circus around it can be completely exhausting.”

Oh, yes: Emmy’s boyfriend was a real-life prince, as well as being a championship tennis star. They’d fallen in love at Wimbledon, and Emmy had moved out to be with him and pursue her love of fashion design.

“It must be really fun being on a film set,” Emmy said once our tea and scones had arrived. “Especially when it’s Pride and Prejudice.”

“It is fun,” I said, but let out a little sigh. “Though, it’s a little overwhelming, too. I often just feel like I’m in everyone’s way.”

“Tell me about it,” Emmy laughed. “Everyone wants to get to Charlie, and sometimes I get shoved aside. Literally.”

“But Jax is great,” I said quickly, remembering my story. “I’m just crazy about him.”

Emmy gave me a look. “Really? He doesn’t seem your type.”

I coughed. “Well, you know, opposites attract and all.”

She paused, then glanced around. “It’s OK,” she said in a hushed voice. “I know.”

“Know what?”

Emmy looked at me. “The truth, about your relationship with Jax.”

I froze, my teacup halfway to my lips. I lowered it slowly and dabbed my mouth with a napkin.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said lamely.

“I’m sorry.” Emmy reached out and took my hand. “I know Paige wasn’t supposed to say anything, but I swear I won’t tell anyone.”

I looked at her and saw the earnest look in her eyes. I also wanted to talk honestly with someone so badly, that I let out a breath.

“OK,” I confessed. “Jax and I are not really dating.”

Emmy’s eyes widened. “So this is a whole PR stunt? How do you feel about that?” she asked.

“Fine,” I said, a little too quickly. “I mean, it’s a little weird, but I think we’ve figured it out. It’s not so bad when it’s just us hanging out on set, but when the press comes around, we have to perform a little bit more, which I’m not really used to.”

“Yeah, the press can be a curse and a blessing,” Emmy noted. “Mostly a curse.” She gave me a searching look. “Any naked pictures in your past that might cause any problems?”

I was taken aback, but then I remembered that she’d had experience with that exact thing.

“No naked pictures,” I told her. “None of my exes were that interested in seeing me naked, in real life or in pictures.”

It was only partially true. My sex life with Greg, in particular, had been rather uninspiring, and I never got the sense that he thought I was very sexy. Not the way he clearly thought his Instagram boo was. #poetsdoitbetter my ass.

“What about Jax?” Emmy asked.

“He definitely does not have any naked pictures of me,” I said quickly.

Emmy laughed. “I mean, does he want to have naked pictures of you? And if not, do you want him to?”

I felt myself blush.

Emmy hooted. “I guess that answers that question.” She grinned. “Not that I blame you, he’s smoking hot.”

“He is really hot,” I said, allowing myself to admit it. “And I do . . . like him.”

Emmy’s eyes widened. “How much do you like him?”

I put my head in my hands. “My body really, really, really likes him,” I confessed. “But my mind has to keep reminding my body that this is all pretend.”

“Well.” Emmy looked thoughtful. “Does it have to be pretend?”

“He’s a movie star!” I reminded her. “His life is . . . crazy. And I don’t do crazy, remember? Besides . . . my self-esteem is pretty healthy, but even I know I don’t compete when it comes to super-human goddesses like Olivia Summers.”

She waved her hand. “I thought that princes didn’t go for girls like me,” she said. “And look where I am now.” She reached out and patted my hand. “Just relax and have fun,” she advised. “Maybe he’ll surprise you. And maybe you’ll surprise yourself.”

After our lunch, we took a walk around the town, the topic shifting from boys to work. Emmy was working on launching her own fashion line, and asked me for financial advice.

“I’m great when it comes to the creative stuff, I have so many ideas,” she said enthusiastically, “but when it comes to business plans, and budgets . . .” She made a face.

“Those are the best parts!” I exclaimed. “If you’d like to send me your proposal, I’d be happy to look at it while I’m in the UK.”

“Really?” she asked, excited.

“Of course,” I responded. “It would actually be nice to have something to work on. I need to keep busy during Jax’s long shooting days.”

“I would really appreciate it,” Emmy said. “I know it’s important for my business, but I just don’t understand it, it’s like a foreign language.”

“Lucky for you, I’m fluent,” I joked.

Suddenly, a blonde whirlwind came barreling towards us. It took a moment for me to realize it was Lulu, her attention completely fixated on Emmy.

“Oh my God,” she gushed. “I can’t believe it’s you.”

Emmy gave me an awkward shrug of her shoulders as if to say “welcome to my life”.

“It’s me,” she said.

“I’m just a huge fan,” Lulu was saying, really pouring on the charm. “You and the prince are the cutest couple ever. And I think it is so brave that he chose someone like you!”

I winced. It was a backhanded compliment at best, a bitchy one at worst. But Lulu seemed totally oblivious to how obvious she was being. “Do you get to see the Crown Jewels?” she demanded breathlessly. “Do you have, like, a tiara?”

“A small one,” Emmy answered graciously, and they chatted for a little while before she gave me a “help” look.

“Didn’t you have to leave by four?” I asked loudly.

Lulu turned, as if seeing me for the first time. “Polly!” she exclaimed. “Oh my god, hi.”

“It’s Penny,” I corrected her.

“Sure. Right. Anyway, you have to give me your number.” She turned back to Emmy. “We can totally do lunch.”

Emmy blinked. “I . . .” She looked awkward, but Lulu already had her phone out, so Emmy politely put her number in.

“We really have to go,” I said loudly, and Emmy joined me, practically sprinting away.

“Who was that?” Emmy said, laughing, when we were out of sight.

“One of the actresses on the movie,” I sighed. “And she seems like a real bitch.”

“Good thing I gave her the wrong number then.” Emmy grinned.

I laughed. “You didn’t!”

“It’s the number for Charlie’s security team,” she said. “Good luck to her getting through them.”

We laughed together as her car came around.

“Send me your financial information,” I reminded her. “And I’ll see what can be done.”

“Thank you so much.” She gave me a hug. “And have fun while you’re out here. Don’t let your own insecurities get in the way of a good time.” She winked at me. “I didn’t, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”