“No, but you will.”
“How’d you know?”
“Because I read your script.”
“Youwhat?”
He looked at me again. “I read one of your scripts. ‘While She Slept.’ It’s brilliant.”
“Wait, wait, wait.” I laughed, feeling heat rising up my neck. “You read my script, and you didn’t even ask?”
“It was on the kitchen counter, and I thought it was one of mine. Relax, it’s not like I leaked it to the public or anything.”
No, he didn’t. But he read something personal to me, and he didn’t even tell me. I wasn’t sure what to think about it. For one, I was surprised that he thought it was brilliant, but I hated the idea that he now knew more about me than I ever meant to share.
“Just to be clear,” I said, fidgeting with the strap of my tote bag. “You saw a script and decided to read it, despite there clearly being my name on it.”
There was a pause, and he studied me with narrowed eyes. “Yeah. And it was brilliant.”
“Yeah, whatever—” I laughed again, shaking my head harder. “You should’ve asked.”
He kept studying me, and for once, he actually looked like he truly understood what I was saying and how I was feeling.
“You’re right,” he finally said. “I’m sorry for reading your script without asking. I should’ve asked permission first.”
Wow.
That was unexpectedly sweet and considerate.
I swallowed and bit the inside of my cheek, then muttered, “It’s fine. Thanks for thinking it’s brilliant.”
He didn’t say much after that. Just a small grunt and a nod before he continued down the aisle.
***
Back home, and after putting the groceries away while Callan argued with one of his porn star colleagues on the phone, I found myself in need of some alone time. Admittedly, the trip to the store wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. He still crossed a line when he asked me to call him “daddy” again and admitted he’d read my script. It made me feel exposed and angry, but even then, being around him felt less impossible than before.
It was only early in the afternoon, and there was still time to do something on my own. I packed a bottle of water and an apple before heading to the foyer to put my jacket back on. I didn’t really have a plan, but the park sounded like a nice place to be this afternoon, and maybe I could finally finish the book I had started a week ago.
“Going out again?” Callan’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned around to look at him.
“Yes,” I said as I slid my arms into my brown leather jacket. “Just a walk. I need some air.”
He stepped closer, narrowing his eyes. “Again? We were just at the store.”
I laughed. “The store isn’t really outside, is it?”
He studied me, not looking pleased. “Where are you going?”
“The park.”
“Which park?”
“The one down the street,” I said with a shrug. “Or a different one. I don’t know yet.”
Callan’s jaw tightened. “It’ll be dark in a few hours.”
I hated the possessiveness in his voice. It had no business being there. We just spent a somewhat good time at the store together, and now he was trying to control me again.
