Behind the Scenes(58)
I scoff again. “Don’t play that card. If I’m such a little girl, why are you interested in me?”
He looks at me. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No,” I agree, my fist on my hip. “Why did you?”
He exhales and doesn’t answer.
“You were engaged,” I state. “Does that have anything to do with what I supposedly don’t understand?”
He doesn’t seem surprised that I know.
“Yeah,” he sighs, looking back at me. “But I wasn’t cut out for a serious relationship.”
I swallow hard. The statement seems so final and sad.
But what did I really expect? For my dick and standoffish millionaire boss to walk into the office one day and sweep me off my feet? Even Disney movies aren’t written with that kind of ending anymore. Nowadays, the princesses get saved through the bonds of friendship or girl power.
I’m living in a fantasy not even five year olds could believe in.
“And yet,” he slowly continues. “I can’t help but want you.”
I shake my head. “Not in a shallow and soulless way. That’s not for me.”
A sad smile plays on his mouth. “Just that alone makes you even more of a catch.”
Then catch me. Send your line out and reel me in.
But he’s not going to. I know it. I don’t know all the details of his past, but I know he’s a broken man, and I know people don’t just change overnight.
“Brendan likes you,” he says. “Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea for you to be with him.”
It feels like a knife in the heart. “Is that what you want?”
There’s no pause before his answer. “No, but it doesn’t seem like I’m any good for you.”
I bite my lip. “No,” I softly say. “You’re not.”
“I’m trying to do the right thing.”
I give that some thought. “Do you know what the right thing is?”
The question seems to make him sad. “No.”
I have to leave before things become even more confusing. Before I dig myself into a hole I’ll never be able to climb out of. Before I reach out and give myself over to the man in front of me, only to risk being left abandoned in the gutters of the heart come morning.
“Goodbye, Simon.”
I turn and walk off into the night.
No one follows.
CHAPTER NINE
I spend all of Saturday and Sunday looking for jobs online, and all of Monday morning trying not to bite my nails.
He’s not in the office. His absence is heaven and hell all at the same time. Chuck and Daniel have a field day. Dana, however, knows something is up. I catch her staring at me at least half a dozen times before lunch. I don’t know what happened or how much she learned after I left Friday night, but it’s likely the cat is as good as out of the bag.
At noon, she shuts down her computer and stands up. “Taco truck?” she asks, referring to the one that parks right outside of the studio.
“Yeah, sure.”
She’s quiet during the walk there and while we get our lunches. I’m fine with it. I spent most of the weekend in my room, sleeping when not emailing resumes. My roommates seemed to get the hint that I have no interest in talking about anything that’s happened. Hopefully, Dana is receiving the same vibe.
“So,” she says as we walk across the expansive lot. “Mr. Mulroney.”
Or not.
We sit on the partially shaded wooden bench in front of our offices.
“Yeah,” I agree. “Him.”
“What a night, huh?”
I give a short laugh. “You can say that again. What happened after I left?”
“Not much. Your roommates did some karaoke. Brendan looked like he was pissed the whole time. He barely talked to anyone. He only stayed for, like, fifteen more minutes after you disappeared.”
“Did Mr. Mulroney come back in?”
She looks at me curiously. “No. I thought he left with you.”
“Oh. No, he didn’t. We talked outside and then I walked away.”
“Hm. I guess he didn’t feel like going back into the bar was worth it if you weren’t there.” She smirks. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you when you told me he offered you sex.” She quickly looks over her shoulder, as if remembering where we are. No one is outside, though, so we’re free to continue our conversation.
“It’s okay,” I say. “And nothing will happen between us again.”
Her eyes go wide. “Again?”
“We just kissed.”
“Dang,” she mutters. “I mean, he’s a dick, but he’s also hotter than most of the movie stars running around here.”