I shouldn’t have been thinking about how Wes was going to react, but I couldn’t help myself.
That evening, when Allan picked me up, he had no idea that Tommy would be shadowing us.
“You look amazing, Juliette,” he said as we got into his car. “I’m so glad this worked out.”
“Me too.” I smiled nervously, still preoccupied with Wes.
“You said this is your first feature film?”
I shrugged. “Yes. Not my first adapted screenplay, but the first full-length project that’s been produced.”
“Amazing. Do you have family attending?”
My family attending. Yeah, right.“No…” I shook my head. “They’re all on the East Coast.”
By some miracle, it also seemed Allan hadn’t been privy to the news coverage about me. I kept feeling himout to see if he was playing dumb, but he seemed genuinely unaware. And I certainly wasn’t going to volunteer that information.
“How long have you been an agent?” I asked.
“About ten years. I love it, but it’s cutthroat. Generally, once a client hits it big, other agents try to swoop in with incentives to jump ship. I’ve had very few loyal, big-name clients over the years.”
“That stinks.”
He glanced over at me. “Well, that’s show business, as they say, right?”
Within minutes of arriving at the auditorium, I spotted Wes standing near the door. I could hardly breathe with how damn amazing he looked in a dark suit.
His eyes met mine, and his mouth curved into a smile—which faded the moment he noticed Allan next to me. Allan placed his hand at the small of my back, and Wes almost immediately turned away. I couldn’t blame him.
During the screening, I was barely able to think of anything besides Wes. When the show ended, Allan spoke into my ear. “That was fantastic. You must be very proud.”
“I am. Thank you.”
“How about we hit the after party?”
I opened my mouth, prepared to forge ahead, but then I shook my head and made an executive decision for my mental health. “I’m not feeling so great, actually. So if you don’t mind, I’d like to head home.”
“That’s too bad.” He frowned. “But of course.”
Allan drove me home, and when we got to my door, he leaned in to kiss me.
I moved back.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I—”
“No. I’m the one who’s sorry.” I shook my head and inwardly cringed. “It’s not you. I’m just not ready for this. I apologize if I’ve led you on. I’m just getting out of a relationship. I thought dating would be good for me, but I misjudged, and I’m so very sorry you got dragged into it.”
“I totally understand.” He smiled sadly. “And I think you’re fantastic, so if at any given point you find yourself ready to date again, you know where to find me.”
“Thank you, Allan.” I nodded. “That’s very sweet of you.” I waved as I closed the door behind me.
But alone in my house, I wondered if I’d ever be ready for another man as long as Wes was alive.
CHAPTER 31
Juliette
A few days after the screening, I was flopped on my couch, still unable to stop thinking about Wes. He hadn’t come by again. Not that I could blame him after I’d shown up with a date the other night…
