“Sorry. Guess I’m a little distracted.”
He pulled her closer. “Talk to me. Are you worried about the press release?”
The realization hit her suddenly... This was the type of question she would’ve brushed off with Wes. She would’ve put on a brave face and said she was sure it would work out fine. But she was trying to build something with Levi. She wanted more with him than she’d had with Wes. She wanted depth and intimacy and possibly a happily-ever-after.
Did he want that too?
Mia looked up at him, into those steady blue eyes. He wanted to know her, all of her. And if she wanted this to work she had to let go of her fears.
“Mia? You all right?”
“Yeah, I’m just... You’re right, Levi. I’m worried the press release won’t be enough. I’m worried I’ll lose my part inLesser Days.”
He squeezed her shoulder. “Is that really a possibility? What about your contract?”
“There’s a morality clause in it. Most studios aren’t so stringent, but this particular one is. They have a wholesome image, and they’re very protective of their brand.”
He frowned. “But you didn’t do anything wrong.”
Her heart squeezed at the way he came to her defense. “There’s wording in the clause that includes public perception of immoral behavior. It’s about my reputation or image, so I don’t actually have to be guilty of wrongdoing. I just have to be perceived as having done wrong by the public.”
“That’s awful. How could your agent have let that clause stand?”
“I think it’s boilerplate stuff, and they never invoke it. But after this fiasco, you can bet I’m going to push for different wording on my next contract.”
A call buzzed in on her phone. She checked the screen and saw Nolan’s name. Her pulse sped. “Do you mind?”
“Go ahead.”
“It’s not good, Mia,” Nolan said by way of greeting. “Emma was interviewed on theEntertainment Tonightsite. She says you’re so obsessed with Jax that you’re trying to make him jealous.”
Mia’s heart plummeted. “What?”
“She doesn’t state it quite so blatantly, but that’s the basic narrative. And of course she sounds as if she feels sorry for you and only wants you to get help.”
“Jax is the one who needs help. What a narcissist. He sure pulled the wool over her eyes.”
“You know that, and I know that, but the public has been fed two explanations for your photos with Wesley today: yours and Emma’s. And her story is more salacious.”
“Plus, she’s perceived as the victim here.” Mia leaned forward, elbow on knee, feeling Levi’s gaze drilling into her. “Unbelievable.”
“I’m sorry to bother you with this. I know it’s late there, but I didn’t want you to be blindsided in the morning.”
“What are we going to do?”
“We’ll just have to see how it plays out. Hopefully the moral support is on your side.”
But two days later, Mia discovered that was not the case. The inn was bustling with guests on Saturday when Nolan called. The producer was sympathetic to her situation, but the studio had decided to invoke the morality clause in her contract. They were officially seeking her replacement.
Mia got off the phone and sank onto her bed, unable to breathe.Why is this happening, God?A sob caught in her throat for only a moment before it spilled out. The feelings inside roiled, stirring up something far deeper than she’d expected. She buried her face in a pillow and let it all go.
She’d never been fired from a job. And of all jobs to lose, this one! She’d taken the part inInto the Deepbecause it was a great script, and she’d known the movie would further her career.
But Fiona was her dream role. When Mia had read the script she’d felt like she knew Fiona. Like shewasFiona. She’d wanted to tell this woman’s story. And now someone else would get it.
She sobbed harder. Her chest was so tight it ached, all of it seeming somehow out of proportion with the actual event. She could hardly think past the visceral reaction. What was wrong with her? She had been through a lot these last few months. Had she just reached her limit?
It was so unlike her to just lose it. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d cried like this—she’d been a child. Maybe something else was going on. Maybe this loss had triggered something, like a past loss. Like a previous event in which she’d been replaced. The thought held weight, made her sobs come harder. She could hardly breathe through the pain.
