Love Unrehearsed

“Yes, I could have sent you to jail.” He snickered. “Still have your starch.

Good. Very good.”

“Shouldn’t you be guarding a door or something? Surely you must be breaking protocol by leaving your woman unprotected.”

He leaned closer. “Should I be worried?” I laughed. “Not in the least, though I highly doubt you being here is just a coincid-ence. I’m happy for you and Lauren. Really, I am.”

I heard a purr roll up his chest. “Now who’s being insincere? Or is there truly a hint of jealousy still lingering?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, no. Rest assured I feel no jealousy. None whatsoever. In fact, I’d say your partnership with that conniving bitch is a match made in heaven.” He actually had the audacity to cat-growl at me. “And still so feisty, too.”

“What are you going to do, Kyle? Put me up against another wall to try to change my mind?”

He made a throaty sound of disgust and then turned toward me, his face painted with what truly looked like regret. “I hurt you. I know that. I get it. I know what I did was stupid and rash . . . I don’t expect you to believe me but I truly wanted to protect you.” I wanted to slap him. “You’re lucky I didn’t have you arrested.”

“And I appreciate that. Look, I’ve kept my end of the deal. Have I bothered you at all since?”

“No, you haven’t. But the first chance you got you couldn’t help but take another cheap shot at Ryan. And that bothers me.”

“He has what I want.”

I fought rolling my eyes. “You have Lauren.”

His lips twitched as he shook his head.

“Yeah, funny thing. Turns out I’m not her type these days. Doesn’t matter because she’s not mine.”

“Well, that’s too bad.”

Kyle sighed. “Will you ever forgive me?” I’d had enough. “Honestly? No. And while we’re on this junket I suggest you do yourself a favor and stay the hell away from both of us.”

I didn’t know where I was walking to but I headed back to where I knew Ryan and Mike were last. My hands were shaking. Memories of Kyle pressing me into the door frame at the bottom of my apartment steps swept through me, spreading fear and trembles of terror through my bones.

I found Trish sitting in a chair taking a call on her cell. Marie was sitting next to her. My cell chimed with a new text so I dug it out of my purse and just as I was thumbing through the new message, I heard a familiar nasally, shrill voice that will forever be scorched in my memory.

Trish said what I was thinking. “What the hell is she doing here?”

Marla’s head turned slightly, pausing her conversation for a beat when she noticed us.

Acid churned in my stomach. I hadn’t even previewed this film and already Thousand Miles was turning into a thousand miles in hell.

“I think I want to go home,” I muttered quietly.

Trish shifted in her chair. “You and me both. Apparently Ms. Delaney has herself a new publicist. Figures she’d go for Ryan’s old representation.”

Ryan had texted me. I held up my phone to show Marie. “He’s summoning me.” I found him in a room with what looked like a half tent made out of black fabric. The Thousand Miles movie poster was set up behind the chairs. Industrial lights were set up to illuminate the area being filmed and floor fans were whirling to keep the area cool.

Ryan looked like he’d been through the blender. “You hanging in there?” I asked, taking him into my arms.

Just then Kyle walked down the hall, glancing at us briefly on his way. I couldn’t help but scoff.

“Did he say anything to you?” I froze. I wasn’t going to tell him we exchanged words. What good would that do?

“You should know that Lauren hired Marla Sullivan.”

Ryan took a step back. “What?”

“Marla is here. She just showed up.”

“You’re kidding me?”

“I wish. She’s putting on quite the show of enthusiasm.”

I thought Ryan was going to go through the roof. “Wonderful.” He rubbed his forehead, then grabbed my hand to tow me along. He pinned a glare on Mike. “Where’s David?”

A young woman came rushing over to Ry-an. “Mr. Christensen, we’re ready to start the next group.”

He held up a hand. “I need a minute.” Ryan bound right up to David, jerking his chin in Marla’s direction. “You know about this shit?”

He was either caught off guard or an expert feigning ignorance. “What do you mean?”