Page 4 of Love On and Off Set

“Right.” He straightened. “And maybe don’t tell Horatio you’re an out-of-work actor?”

“You mean lie?” This didn’t sound like Kristoff at all.

“No.” He said the word sharply. “You know I’d never advocate that. Just…maybe don’t share all your life with him. He’s pretty busy. He probably won’t even notice.”

That felt optimistic. If this guy was a CEO of a big company, I was pretty sure he’d notice whether or not I put a suit on every day. “Well, I could tell him I work from home. He’d never come into my room, right? So he wouldn’t know what I do.”

“Fair enough.” Kristoff scratched his cheek. “And if you’re making the rounds, you’re not actually lying.”

I wasn’t certain how close to the line I would be skirting—and I definitely wasn’t certain how lying would feel—but I needed a place to crash, and living downtown certainly wouldn’t be a hardship.

Three days later, as I sat at a formal dining-room table across from Horatio Payne, I questioned all my life choices. And desperately wished I’d asked Kristoff to join me. Again, though, I was trying to be the adult. An adult didn’t beg their new stepfather to come and hold their hand through what felt like an interrogation.

Horatio looked down his nose at me. “A degree in English literature and theater, you said?”

“Yes, sir. Mom insisted I get a university education.”

“What would you have done otherwise?”

“A…vocational college…” Acting school, to be precise.

He arched an eyebrow. “And you graduated three years ago.”

“Yes, sir.”

He sliced his hand through the air. “Knock it off with the sir. I’m quite certain Kristoff didn’t tell you to do that.”

“No, sir—” I winced. “No, Mr. Payne.”

“You may call me Horatio. We’re going to be…roommates.” The word appeared sour on his tongue as he wrinkled his nose. “There might be a better term. Tenant doesn’t seem appropriate. Houseguest implies you’re staying for a short period of time—”

“It might be a short period of time.” I fidgeted with my fork. “If I find a good job, I’ll head out.”

“Do you have prospects for this phantom good job?”

“Um…”

“And when you land this imaginary good job, will you be able to pay sky-high rent and save for a down payment?”

“Oh, I’ll never be able to buy in Vancouver.” I gave him a dubious look. Surely, he must know this.

He shrugged. “There are always the suburbs.”

Buying a place in Hope, over three hours from Vancouver, didn’t even feel possible. “I need to be close to the city.”

“For this fantasy good job.”

Part of me was prepared to march down to an agency on Monday and take whatever they could give me starting that moment.

Except I had two auditions on Monday. “I’ll find something. I promise.”

He scowled. “Look, I frankly don’t care if you work or not. I can give you a small stipend if you help out around here. I’m not certain Kristoff realized just how much he actually did. As well as managed his clinical rotation and his PhD studies.”

In that moment, genuine admiration shone through. Horatio had a sparkle in those familiar green eyes. Truly, the resemblance was remarkable. I’d have pegged Horatio as Kristoff’s father, not his maternal uncle.

I’d yet to meet the rest of the Payne clan. If they were half as nice as Kristoff, I’d consider myself lucky to have them as family. If they were half as intimidating as Horatio, I’d be quaking in my boots.

Put on your big-boy underwear and stand up for yourself, goddamnit.