Lights, Camera, Kiss Me

Chapter 21: Never Break My Heart

Photo under license from Adobe Stock.

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❤️Mac❤️

It takes approximately two days after our return from Morwell for the news of my relationship with Ryan to hit the headlines. Initially, I panic when I see our picture on the cover of News Weekly, but I quickly remind myself that it's my life and my choices. The first headline is harmless enough: "Ryan and Mackenzie: Are they dating?" Subsequent headlines focus on whether Ryan is ready to give up his bachelor status. "Is he off the market? Or just having fun?"

Every article mentions that I spent time with Ryan in his hometown, visiting his mother. The news about our relationship is already public, so I'm not particularly bothered by it.

A week later, Blainesworth announces that Lyndel Craig will join the cast of Hart's Valley, and it becomes public knowledge that her character, Kayla Vermont, will be involved in a love triangle with Stone and Brianna. The tabloids immediately jump to the conclusion that Lyndel may pose a threat to my relationship with Ryan.

I roll my eyes as I read the first two magazine covers after the news about Lyndel breaks.

"Ryan's former leading lady returns to give Mackenzie a run for her money."

And,

"Australia's Romeo torn between his two leading ladies?"

They are silly headlines, but I expect nothing less. I can't feel insecure when Ryan constantly tells me he loves me, and our affectionate gestures toward each other are impossible to hide. Our pictures are splashed across supermarket magazines in Melbourne. The ratings are soaring, and Blainesworth is thrilled. In fact, he seems ecstatic about Ryan and me being together.

Overall, things are going remarkably well. That is until one morning, four weeks after Lyndel's arrival.

I look up as Jazz enters my dressing room, a copy of Women's Daily News tucked under her arm. Her expression is tense, and she holds up the cover for me to see.

"Ryan and Lyndel get close. Worries of Mac losing it again echoed by cast mates," I read aloud, a sinking feeling in my stomach.

"They've gone too far this time," Jazz says, frustration evident in her voice.

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant, but inside, it feels like a punch to the gut. The picture on the cover shows Lyndel and Ryan talking outside the studio, seemingly innocuous. But what bothers me is the supposed concern of my cast mates.

"You know none of us would say anything like that," Jazz assures me, pacing the room.

"I know."

The false claim shouldn't bother me, but it does. The tabloids rarely leave themselves open to legal trouble, meaning someone must have said something. I dislike the idea of not knowing who it is.

Lyndel is the only possible suspect at the moment, but although she hasn't been particularly friendly, her attitude has remained professional. Just days ago, she surprised us by accepting Jazz's invitation to go out for dinner with the rest of the cast. It seemed like she was making an effort to settle in. Now, I can't help but wonder if her effort was genuine. But if it wasn't Lyndel, who could it be?

"Don't let it get to you," Jazz advises, trying to comfort me.

I nod and toss the magazine into the trash. The thought of someone I work with talking about me makes me uneasy, but I won't allow myself to be bothered by the article. I know there's nothing going on between Ryan and Lyndel, and I have no intention of "losing it" again. Women's Daily News can beat it.