Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Of course he is. He loves working and building. Mom says he’s been dying for a project.”
“He loves to stay busy, and we have no new houses to build in the complex.”
“What about you?” she asked. “How is the infamous Nicholas Scott?”
Just then, I saw him, walking across the center courtyard. He stopped, looking up in my direction. We were hundreds of feet apart. Lots of people between us, but I swore I felt his gaze observing me, assessing me. Not seeing anyone else but me, just as my focus was zeroed in on him. He tilted his head, then touched his mouth briefly and kept walking. I swore I felt that touch on my own mouth.
A woman rushed up behind him, talking rapidly. He shook his head and walked faster. She hurried after him, obviously not pleased. I had seen enough pictures of her to know it was his agent, and neither of them looked happy. She was furious, and he looked anxious.
“I’m sorry, what?” I asked, realizing Sammy was trying to get my attention. “Oh, ah, Nick. He is great. Exactly what the role needs.”
“Nick?”
“Oh, ah, people call him that. I guess I picked up on it.”
“What is he like in real life?”
The word was out before I could prevent it. “Amazing. He is simply amazing. Last night—” I stopped talking abruptly.
“Last night?” Sammy questioned. “What about last night? Mila, is something going on?”
“No,” I replied too quickly. “Nothing.”
“You forget how well I know you, little sister. That is your ‘I am trying to cover something up’ voice.”
I sighed. “We had dinner together. Well, a picnic. He took me out to see the sunset to a place we could be private.”
“And why do you need to be in a private place with a drug-addict movie star?”
“He is not a drug addict.”
“Alcoholic, then. Mila, what are you doing?”
“Stop judging him. You don’t know him.”
“And you do? After a few days?”
The anger I had been tamping down for days exploded. “And what about you, Sammy? Sleeping with a client? You were on him a couple days after you met. Why is it okay for you and not for me?”
“Luke doesn’t have addiction problems,” she snapped. “And I have experience. I’m not acting on a secret crush I’ve harbored for years.”
“I’m done with this conversation.”
“Don’t you dare hang up, Mila Morrison. I swear—”
I disconnected the call.
“She’s right, you know,” Andi said behind me. I whirled around to see her standing at the door to the balcony, a cup of coffee in hand. “I knocked and came in. You were on the phone.”
“Don’t start.” I walked past her to the table and poured a coffee, stirring the cream in too vigorously, splashing the coffee onto the white cloth.
“Dammit,” I muttered, mopping up the spill with the napkin I had been using.
Andi sat down, placing her hand on mine. “I’m not starting anything, kiddo. I’m just worried.”
My anger deflated, and I sat down. I met her worried gaze. “I like him, Andi. He likes me. We have some sort of weird connection.”
“Your connection is the character. You are both reacting to that. I’ve seen it before.”
“No, it’s more.”
She drained her coffee and sat forward, earnest. “You’re a grown woman and can make up your own mind, Mila. But use caution. Have you asked him about his addictions? I noticed a drink in his hand a few times. I assume, with rehab, he shouldn’t be drinking. His eyes looked red yesterday—is he using again? You need to know what you’re dealing with.” She looked sad. “I don’t want you to lose your heart to someone who can’t love you back. Addicts love themselves the most. Love their drugs or alcohol more than anyone else. I know.” She shook her head. “I went through that with my brother. He refused to admit or commit to a new life. He was in and out of rehab so often and never truly believed he had a problem. Until it killed him. I don’t want that for you.”
I stared at her. “You never told me that.”
She shrugged. “I’ve never gotten over losing him. I don’t talk about it.” She met my eyes. “Please be careful, Mila. Don’t get involved with someone who is going to drain you dry of all the good emotions and leave you with a broken heart and trust issues. Remember what I said before. He is an actor. He can make you believe what he wants you to believe. Tread carefully. Ask him outright about his addictions.” She studied me. “If you can’t, then walk away. I’ll wrap up our time here, and you can go home. Zoom with the actors if needed. Get away from him. Don’t make me regret asking you to come here.”
I saw the worry and sincerity in her eyes. I knew she was only trying to protect me. But I was convinced she was wrong about Nick. That they all were. Something in his eyes held me captive. Something told me I needed to be the one to break whatever cycle he was caught in. I didn’t want to go home. I wanted to stay here with him. I looked down at my hands. Did that make me part of his cycle? Was I lying to myself?