Page 26 of Double Standard

“If you ever see a headline about me being estranged from my family, now you know why.” Her shoulders lift in a shrug. “So yeah, like I said—my relationship with food, exercise, the way I view my body—it’s tough for me, because even my mother didn’t think I had what it took to be successful unless I looked a certain way.”

“And yet here you are, filming the biggest role of your career.”

“I hope she sees my face everywhere. And myhipseverywhere.”

She laughs, and the rage-filled heat that had been building behind my eyes softens and settles in my chest. Everything feels right when she laughs. I want more of it, and I want more of her. I want to know everything.

“And then what? What were those years like between leaving home andAthena’s War?”

“Lots of peanut butter sandwiches,” she says with a wink. “First, I found Emily—she was trying to get her foot in the door as a manager. I needed a place to stay and a new direction for my career, and she gave me both. I swear, we were fueled by spite and just enough delusion to hustle our way into rooms that weren’t meant for us those first few years. She convinced me I could play anything. The girl next door inShe’s All Mine. A bombshell in that streaming frat house series—Tight Quarters. The romantic lead inMatch Made in Heaven. She won’t take no when it comes to my career—from me or anyone else.”

“And suddenly I’m regretting never watchingTight Quarters.”

She smiles, and now I’m the one feeling warm. “Making the transition from child star to respected adult actor is... It’s not easy. WithAthena’s War, I felt like maybe—finally—I’d done it. They wanted me for the title role, this really meaty role, that wasn’t about my looks or sex appeal. And then the story about Colt dropped.”

I guide us left at a fork in the path. Ana dodges a fallen branch and shrugs, like I know what happens next in the story.

“Well, as fun as it’s been trauma-dumping on you, can we talk logistics for thePeopleinterview on Friday morning? You have the details?”

“You mean, did my agent Sherry call me, absolutelygiddy, to tell me—at least three times—that we booked a two-page spread? She also gave me a ten-minute crash course in media training that we’ll have to hope is enough.”

“It’ll be fine.” Ana brings an arm around my waist. She fits perfectly in the space under my shoulder. “Have you done press like this before?”

“You know I haven’t. You take the lead, and I’ll be the strong, silent type.”

“Well, the public thinks you’re sweet, protective, loyal, and handsome. So do that.”

“Doyouthink I’m handsome?”

“Right now, I think you’re fishing for a compliment.”

“And if I am?”

She rolls her eyes, but without conviction. “You’re more than handsome, Levi. You’re—”

“The most attractive man you’ve ever seen.”

“And humble too!” She elbows my ribs. “You know, it’s... this has been different from what I expected. This thing with you and me.”

“Go on,” I say, tucking her closer to me.

“I expected it to feel like a chore. Like another task to keep my career running smoothly. Another item on the checklist: costume fitting, personal training session, date with Levi, phone interview, and whatever else. I thought it would be another thing to budget energy for, but instead, I always leave you feeling... better. Buoyed.”

She kicks at a rock in our path. I wrap my hand around her shoulder and squeeze.

“It’s been surprising to me too. I assumed you’d be hard to work with.”

“You mean the press didn’t tee me up as sweet and loyal?” She laughs.

“They’ve got you all wrong. I’m not sure how you do it, putting up with this characterization of you that feels so obviously false. It must be tough.”

“Honestly, it’s not. It’s something I value, keeping the soft parts of myself hidden from public consumption. There’s so little that’s mine after all these years. I’m not eager to give myself up to folks who can’t be trusted.”

When I realize the implication of her words—that she trustsme—anticipation, excitement, and fear clash in my gut, like that top-of-the-roller-coaster feeling of being high on the excitement of what comes next... but knowing that the danger is what makes it thrilling. That’s where we are. The push and pull between the promise of how good this could be if it all goes well, and the awareness of how bad it could be if it doesn’t.

Like if the tabloids somehow find out how this started between us.

Or if she hurts me.