“Not even close.” Even after all these years, after all my success, my laugh still comes out a little bitter.
“The next day, I walk into the audition, all confident with my new ‘subtle’ approach. The director looks at me like I’ve lost my mind and asks what happened to the raw intensity from my previous auditions.”
“Walker tricked you into changing your performance.”
“Yep. And while I’m standing there looking like an idiot, Walker comes in and delivers an intense, raw, and emotional audition. He stole my approach and made it his own.”
“That’s fucked up.” Lizzy’s hand finds mine and squeezes.
“Tell me about it. He got the part. I got nothing but a lesson in Hollywood politics.”
“And that’s when the rivalry started?”
I nod. “It got even worse from there. Every time we were up for the same part, he pulled similar stunts. Sometimes he’d spread rumors about me having a temper to casting directors. Other times he’d try to sabotage my relationships with producers. It got to the point where I started checking to see if he was attached to a project before I’d even consider auditioning.”
“That’s insane,” Lizzy says, voice soft with empathy. “Hollywood sounds fucking cutthroat.”
“Most of it isn’t.” I shrug, trying to downplay how much Walker’s betrayal still stings. “But there are always a few who’ll do anything to get ahead. Walker’s one of them.”
“Sounds to me like Walker was...is... intimidated by you. Not everyone can say they’ve been the Sexiest Man Alive twice. I’m not saying it was okay. But... maybe you should take everything he did as a compliment?”
I huff out a laugh. “Guess I’ve always been so hyper-focused on the fact he had it out for me, I never really thought about it like that.”
She’s quiet for a moment as she looks out at the city lights. “That’s why you were so pissed when you saw us talking, wasn’t it?”
I release the breath that’s been stuck in my chest. “Yes. And...” I turn to face her. “Because of the way he was looking at you, I knew exactly what he was thinking.”
“Oh, yeah? And what was that?”
“That you’re beautiful. Talented. That you’re different from all the other women in that room. In the known universe.” My voice drops. “And that he wanted to take you from me, just like he’s tried to take everything else.”
Lizzy’s eyes widen, and she takes a step closer to me. “Ro, he could never?—”
“I know,” I say, shaking my head. “But seeing you with him brought back hardcore feelings of being powerless. Of having something I cared about ripped away from me.”
“And I should have trusted you,” I continue, brushing the back of my fingers across her cheek. “I’m sorry for how I reacted.”
Eyes softening, she leans into my touch. “It’s okay. I understand.” She shrugs. “Kinda hot actually.”
Huffing out a light chuckle, I take a deep breath, gathering my courage. “There’s something else I need to say.”
Her eyebrows lift in question.
“I’ve been thinking about this trip. About how much that’s been thrown at you all at once. The gallery opening, the paparazzi ambushing us back in Lakeside and then you... it’s a lot. And I want you to know you don’t have to come back to L.A. again during our agreement. Not if you don’t want to.”
Her expression shifts to one of confusion. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Aside from a few sightings of us together, the contract only requires you to attend the movie premiere. That’s it. You can lie low at home while I finish filming. I know this trip got a little out of hand.”
Silence stretches as she processes my words. The rest of the world fades into the background as I wait for her response.
“You’re giving me an out?” she finally asks.
“I’m giving you a choice,” I correct, heart hammering against my ribs. “I want you to feel safe and comfortable, not scared and overwhelmed. Shit. God forbid you feel trapped. That’s the last thing I’d ever want.”
The confusion in her eyes turns to heat as she looks up at me. “And what doyouwant?”
Her question catches me off guard. Grabbing her by the waist, I move her so she’s standing in front of me. Palming her face with both hands, I whisper. “You. Only you.”
