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I’m heading to my office at the back of the bar when I catch sight of Inez through the back door. I grin to myself.
I really need to finish the inventory order I started earlier, but I’m finding that my priorities are out of whack lately.
Not in a bad way. Just in a ‘different’ way.
Like wanting to steal a quiet moment alone with my girlfriend instead of putting my full attention on work like I always do.
Stocking up on bar supplies no longer feels like the most important thing I should be handling at the moment. I cross through the kitchen, wave at my cook and stroll over to where I see Inez in the back alley, spending her break.
I take a moment to watch her before she notices me. She’s pacing back and forth in the graveled alley, mumbling to herself, and reading something off of her phone. She looks cute as hell, but she’s definitely acting weird.
I step outside. “Hey, what are you doing out here?”
Inez immediately squeals, jumping out of her skin and nearly dropping her phone.
My eyes dart around. I hustle closer. “Whoa. What’s going on with you?”
“Oh, nothing,” she chirps merrily, sliding her phone into her back pocket. “Just getting some fresh air.”
Grasping her shoulders, I level her with a look. “Come on, Inez. You don’t have to lie. It’s me.”
It’s me. I don’t even know what that means exactly. I just hope Inez knows that she can trust me. With anything. Whatever it is. I’m here for her.
She sighs heavily. “Fine.” She digs the toe of her shoe into the gravel. “So, um, I’ve been receiving some career opportunities lately.”
My brow furrows. “Career opportunities? What kind of career opportunities?”
“Commercials…TV appearances…Acting…” She holds her breath, staring at me, waiting for my response.
I swallow, trying not to show that my throat is closing up. I wasn’t expecting this. I had no fucking clue.
“A few different talent agencies have reached out to me ever since the reality show, and one of them sent me a script that’s beyond my wildest dreams.” Inez cringes. “They’re offering to arrange for me to audition for the part.”
I force my face to remain neutral. “I’m confused. Why are you saying it like it’s a bad thing?”
“It’s not. It’s…maybe a really good thing.” Inez clamps down on her bottom lip. “But I was nervous to tell you. I didn’t want you to think that Hollywood is taking me away from Starlight Falls.”
I take a moment to breathe through the painful sting that’s simmering deep in my chest. It takes considerable strength, but I ignore it. Because this isn’t about me.
I take a step closer to her, lifting her chin and forcing her to look me in the eyes. “Listen, Inez. I would never stand in the way of your career. Ever. I’d never prevent you trying to improve your life or seek happiness. This is good news. You deserve this audition, and you deserve to enjoy this moment. You deserve so much. You deserve the whole wide world.”
Her wide eyes start watering as she throws her arms around me. “Thank you for supporting me,” she whispers.
I mean it. I mean every word I just said. Even though I feel like we were merely steps away from becoming this happy little family, out running errands and shopping and spending time with Stella together.
But at the end of the day, I’m still just a single dad, doing my best to hold everything together. Love—or whatever I thought this could be with Inez—it’s not available to me.That’s just the crux of it.
This woman is such a star, and I’m desperate for any part of her that I can get. Even if it’s fleeting.
Reluctantly, I pull back slightly from our embrace. “Is the script on your phone?” I ask.
“Uh. Yeah?” she answers with a heavy dose of confusion.
“Good. Let me help you rehearse. It’s dead inside the bar anyway. You don’t need to rush back.”
I slip my hand into her back pocket and slide out the phone. When her screen awakens, the script is right there staring at me.
“Okay…So, where do I start?”
