“That’s fine.” I smiled tightly. “I’m handing in my notice for next season anyway.”
Their mouths hung open simultaneously, and my mother’s eyebrows knitted into a sharp, questioning line as she processed my words.
“This is all because of that stuck-up actor, isn’t it?” Mark demanded, face reddening.
“No. I am sick of doing things I don’t want to do anymore.” Scoffing, I turned my gaze back to my mother. “I’m not doing this to hurt you. I’m quitting the show becauseI no longer want to do it. The decision has nothing to do with you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Matilda. Stop throwinga—”
“Please stop.” I held up my hand, cutting her off. “Unless you want to have a genuine conversation about this, let’s end it there. I’m not changing my mind.”
Her jaw clenched so tightly that her cheek muscles twitched.
“So, that’s it, then? You’re quitting?” Mark’s lips pressed into athin line. “What about us?” He gestured between our bodies. Lauren’s eyes widened as a flicker of disbelief passed across her face.
He flinched at my laughter. “There is no us, Mark. And yes, I am quitting the show. My notice will be on your desk tomorrow morning.”
“I also just finished writing my witness statement for Matilda’s workplace harassment case.” Luca’s words caused me to jump as he chimed in from behind.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mark demanded, looking betweenus.
“Oh, I forgot to say.” I held my hand to my chest, feigning innocence. “I reported you to the channel for harassment. Not only have you been derogatory and manipulative to my face, I know what you’ve been saying behind my back. And Luca witnessed it too. And”—I crossed my arms—“when I spoke to a few of the other girls around the rink, they said you’d been the same with them.”
Lauren’s gaze shifted, just a fraction, before she quickly masked it. But for a split second, I caught the smallest flicker of approval in her eyes.
Mark’s snicker sliced through the air, sharp and cold. His lips twisted into a cruel smirk as he delivered his response. “Good luck with that.”
I didn’t bother arguing about it. The man wasn’t worth my breath.
“Taylor, you’re more than welcome to come and hang with us.” I squeezed her hand, and she looked up atme.
“We’re leaving. She’s coming with me.” Lauren’s voice was flat, but there was a brief hesitation as if she wasn’t completely certain.
“We can take you home later, Taylor,” Luca offered. “It’s no problem.”
Lauren narrowed her eyes, her jaw tightening as if she was fighting with herself. Her gaze flickered to me, then back to Taylor.
“Go.” Lauren spun on her heel to walk off, then paused. “Drop her home by midnight.”
Despite my surprise at her lack of fight, I wasted no time taking Taylor’s hand and following Lauren’s lead in departing. We didn’t bother saying goodbye to my mother or Mark. There was no point dragging the conversationout.
Instantly spotting Lily and Jack, we made our way over to them.
Luca draped his arm over my shoulder on one side, while Taylor held my hand on the other. As we navigated the crowd, Luca chuckled at whatever Lily and Jack were arguing about.
Surrounded by Luca’s familiar warmth and my friends’ laughter, I had never felt more like myself.
Six months later
After finishing the day atthe rink, I braved the rain-soaked car park. Luca’s headlights flashed a few cars away like a beacon. Dodging puddles along the way, I hurried over and climbed in, savoring the familiar warmth.
As it was a Friday evening, the car was filled with the delicious smell of whatever takeaway Luca had ordered forus.
“Hey, Stevens.” Luca greeted me by pressing a soft kiss to my lips.
“How’s your day been?” I asked as he reversed out of the space. “Thank you so much for grabbing dinner, too. It smells delicious.”
“Busy, but good busy. I visited Mom, worked on the screenplay for a few hours, and reviewed some voice-acting jobs Jack sent through.” He left the car park and signaled right toward his home.
