Page 52 of Unscripted with Mila

“I think—”

I cut her off. “I don’t give a fuck. I said no. And I mean no.”

“You’re being difficult. Is the stress getting to you already?”

“The only thing causing me stress is you, MJ.”

The car pulled up to the gates of the studio, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I waited until we’d arrived at the building, and I put my hand on the door handle, not opening it just yet.

“In fact, I’m starting to rethink this relationship.”

“We have a contract. An exclusive, unbreakable contract.” She smirked when she reminded me of that.

I shrugged. “Maybe I don’t care anymore. You can’t get blood from a stone.”

I felt the thrill of smug satisfaction when I saw the shocked look on her face. I stepped from the car and leaned down. “I mean it, MJ. Tread carefully right now.”

I slammed the door and headed into the building, not looking back.

* * *

Mila was different this morning. I couldn’t put my finger on it. She was friendly and cordial but withdrawn. She arrived last, frustrating me when she sat on the opposite side of the conference room table where I couldn’t touch her. My fingers itched to feel her skin under mine again. She somehow calmed me simply with her presence, but now, I felt a wall between us. I wondered if last night had been too much for her. It had been intense and intimate as hell.

Was she regretting it? Regretting me? My heart hammered simply at the thought of her withdrawal. Our character discussions were winding down. Bradley didn’t come to the meeting, and Lacey’s questions were sparse. She told Mila how much she appreciated her time and was grateful for all the insights.

“You’ll be around still?” she asked.

I waited anxiously for Mila’s response. Andi spoke for her. “For a bit.”

I didn’t like that reply.

Andi looked my way, a direct challenge in her gaze. “Any other questions, Nick?”

“Nicholas,” I corrected.

One eyebrow rose slowly, and she pursed her lips. “Nicholas,” she repeated. “Any other questions for my client?”

I barked out a laugh. “Your client? Am I on trial here?”

“Of course not,” Mila chided her agent with a shake of her head. “I know you had the most questions, Nick. Are you good, or do you have more?” she asked, her voice gentle. It soothed the ragged edges of my nerves, helping to calm me.

I saw Andi wait for me to correct Mila on the shortened form of my name. I allowed very few people to use it. But I didn’t. Mila could call me anything she wanted. I preferred Nicky baby, whispered in her breathless voice, but I would settle for Nick from her.

For now.

“I have a few. One big one, though.”

Lacey stood. “I’m out. I need a snack.”

Bradley was already gone, leaving Andi, Mila, and me. Amber was busy setting up the shoot today.

“What is your question?”

Andi’s phone rang, and she glanced at the screen, frowning. “I have to take this.” She stood and left the room, standing outside the door. Silence fell between Mila and me. Outside the door, I could make out the muffled conversation involving Andi. The muted sounds of shouts and voices prepping the set.

Mila’s eyes locked on mine, the beautiful irises all at once tender, worried, and anxious. I wondered what was causing the turmoil. It concerned me. I had read up on her disorder, and I knew anxiety could push it over the edge.

“Are you all right?” we both asked at the same time, breaking the silence.