Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 135831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“That’s great,” I say flatly, clenching my fist in annoyance under the table, or maybe it’s worry. Looks like Everly thinks this documentary news is great too. From across the table, she’s smiling brightly even as she shoots me a curious look. “Isn’t that fantastic, Max?”
She might as well kick me under the table. But is that coming from the girlfriend side of her? Or the publicist one?
“We are truly so happy,” Clementine says from the head of the table, looking regal with her cinched back hair and strong profile. “It all really came together.” Her pleased gaze turns to Everly. “All that one-on-one time paid off.”
Everly smiles. “I’ve never had to do so much one-on-one work with a player before, but clearly it’s worth it. I was hoping this project would show you what I’m capable of.”
What the fuck? I snap my gaze toward her, narrowing my eyes. What the hell does that mean? I try to ask it silently through, I dunno, mind waves.
But Everly furrows her brow my way, like she’s asking right back what’s wrong with you?
I’ll gladly tell her. What’s wrong is that the woman I love thinks I’m just a project. That’s what’s wrong.
But I clamp my teeth together instead of talking.
Like a puppet master, Garrett claps my shoulder. “Max isn’t the easiest to work with. But he’s worth it. So worth it,” he says, all smiley and shit.
“Thanks,” I say dryly. “Appreciate the vote of confidence.”
He squeezes harder. “C’mon, man. You aren’t, but you two pulled this off. Well done.”
“Yes, you two really pulled off a banger,” Clementine says.
Pulled off. Those two words echo ceaselessly in my head. We pulled it off. Like it was a heist? Maybe a con? And now we’re celebrating with the crew. Like we stole the diamonds and we’ve got them all in our pockets and now we’re getting away with it—the remake of Lambert.
The project.
Everly shoots me another one of those cautionary looks. Probably because I’m just a project to her. Probably because she doesn’t want me to ruin her project. Probably because she wants to make sure we can indeed pull off this whole thing.
I drag a hand down my beard as I slump back in my chair, like a fool. How did I miss this?
The same way you missed all the signs that Lyra was involved with someone else. Signs that were right in front of you. Signs you barely paid attention to while you were falling for her.
Because I wanted to believe in Lyra. I wanted to believe in an us.
Garrett jumps in again, taking over the conversation like it needs saving. “And it looks like you’re well positioned for the promotion,” he says to Everly, then shoots that perfect agent grin of his toward Zaire and Clementine. What the hell is going on? Is he in on it? Was this always about her getting a promotion?
Everly demurs, holding up her hands. “That’s not what tonight is about,” she says, but it sounds too humble. Too much of a deflection.
Zaire lifts a champagne glass Everly’s way. “I certainly don’t want to offer any promotions over dinner, but I will say we’re pleased with your work,” she says, mostly diplomatic even as she leaves a big, tasty hint.
Everly dips her face, as if she’s trying to hide her smile. Yup, that’s what my girlfriend wants. The promotion. My muscles tense. My heart shrivels.
“And now you can finally move on to other things,” Garrett puts in. “Other projects. Other opportunities. Like, I don’t know, maybe Date Night.”
It’s said oh so casually, like he clearly knows he shouldn’t push, but like he also wants an answer badly.
Zaire offers me a hopeful grin. “I spoke with Webflix today. It looks like it could be a great partnership all around.” She pauses. “If it works out with Date Night. And I know that’s an if.”
“No pressure,” Clementine adds, and they’re all so diplomatic. I should appreciate it. Truly, I should.
But I feel like I’ve stepped into quicksand in the middle of a murky night, so I shift my gaze to Everly, adopting a perfectly curious look. “Is there anything that would hold me back?”
Her eyes widen, and she swallows roughly. “I think it’s entirely your decision,” she says.
Ironic. The other night she didn’t want me to do it, but now it’s my choice.
Because she’ll be moving on.
Because what if that’s all I ever was to her? Work. Just work. The times we spent together never felt like work to me. I never felt like I was doing anything but falling head first into a big, spectacular, move-mountains kind of love. But the last time I fell for someone, my happy, easy, nice-guy life crashed head first and I was left to pick up the wreckage.
I know Everly isn’t cheating. I truly know that, but my nerves are strung tight. My heart hurts. And my hackles are up. I don’t know how to trust a damn thing anymore.