Avery needed me this morning. Heading home.
I didn’t wait for a reply before I turned out of his driveway. My agent’s name flashed on the screen just as I merged onto the highway.
I answered on speaker, trying to sound normal. “Morning, Mara.”
“Serena! I have the best news.” She sounded almost giddy. “An award-winning producer just reached out. I’m not supposed to say the name unless you’re interested in the project, but I can give a hint.”
I rolled my eyes. The games people played in Hollywood could be trying at the best of times. “What project?”
“One that the producer of that devastating drama last year that swept the awards circuit is incredibly excited about. He has a script that he wants to attach your name to.”
Normally, I wouldn’t be interested in signing on to a new project so soon after wrapping another. Since Avery had come to live with me, I tried to space out filming so she wouldn’t feel like I was too busy for her. And I never took jobs that required me to shoot out on location unless I'd only be gone for a week or it was during one of her school breaks.
But with my relationship up in the air, it was tempting to immerse myself in an exciting project. “What kind of script?”
“He’s calling it a brilliant, challenging piece with a nuanced, complex female lead and a truly unconventional voice. He’s thinking serious awards attention—Oscar buzz for the role. Wants to meet next week to discuss.”
The description only made the project more tempting. It sounded like a role that could actually stretch me, let me show something deeper than the charming rom-com heroine I’d become known for. This was the sort of part I’d been quietly craving while everyone kept offering me the safe, pretty girl-next-door roles.
“That sounds incredible,” I managed, my throat tight. But even as the words left my mouth, the sting from what I’d overheard burned hotter. I didn’t know if I could throw myself into a career-defining role when I couldn’t even trust the man I loved to stand up for me in his own house.
“It is. This could be the one that changes everything for you. I’ll send the script over today. We need to strike while he’s excited.”
I thanked her and ended the call, the excitement warring with the heavy ache still lodged in my chest.
When I pulled into my garage, I turned off the engine, and my phone buzzed again with a text from Hudson. I saw the notification but left it unopened so he wouldn’t know I’d seen it.
Inside, I kicked off my shoes and curled up on the couch with a blanket. I had the place to myself, and I let the silence wrap around me.
Last night had felt so good, but this morning proved nothing had really changed.
And now, with a potential career-changing role on the horizon, I had to decide how much more of my peace I was willing to sacrifice just to keep holding on to a man who still couldn’t see what was happening right in front of him.
8
HUDSON
The morning had started so well, waking up with Serena beside me. She’d been sound asleep, and I couldn’t bring myself to disturb her when I saw the purple bruises beneath her eyes. It was enough knowing she was there when I went downstairs.
Then she left without saying goodbye while I was busy in my home office. I hated how empty my house felt without her here, but I understood how important Avery was to her. The way she looked after her sister was one of the things I loved about Serena. She was only twenty-six, nine years younger than me, but she was a fuck of a lot more mature than most people in Hollywood.
I had a busy day ahead of me, so I just sent a reply text thanking Serena for a great night before hopping in the shower.
As I made a coffee for the much-needed caffeine jolt before heading out to a lunch meeting with my agent and a couple of studio executives, my phone rang. Sarah’s name lit up the screen, and I figured she was checking to make sure I would be on my way soon since she was meeting me at the restaurant.
Skipping the usual greeting, I answered, “Yes, I’m ready to go and won’t be late.”
“Hudson, I’m so sorry.” She sounded frazzled. “There’s a bad accident on the 405. Emergency crews are everywhere. I’m stuck in traffic, and there’s no way I’ll make it to lunch on time.”
Sarah had been with me for five years and took her role of keeping my daily life in order seriously. She was probably more upset about being late than I was. “There’s not much you can do when you’re stuck in a twenty-six-lane parking lot.”
“Tell me about it,” she sighed. “I’ll send Maddie instead.”
“Yeah, that’s fine.” I stepped into the garage. “Have her meet me there in twenty.”
“Will do. Might as well let her earn her keep since she’s on the payroll.”
She hung up before I could respond to her sarcastic comment. Sarah hadn’t complained when I hired Maddie, even though she was the one who had to train my friend when I sprang the news I’d hired a third assistant on her unexpectedly. She’d been a good sport about handing some of her easier tasks to Maddie, so I figured I could cut her some slack and decided not to take her to task for what she said later. But I’d keep an eye on how she and Maddie interacted going forward. I didn’t want to lose a good employee because my friend hadn’t yet found another job.
