Page 9 of Falling Like Stars

“Right. Well.” I glance behind me. I need to leave but I don’t want to. In a town full of people who mostly tell me what I want to hear, Rowan is bold. A low tolerance for bullshit. I like that. I need that.

She narrows her eyes. “Why are you acting weird?”

“Am I?” I chuckle and run a hand through my hair. “Well, several reasons, I guess.”

“Such as?”

“Power dynamics? Compromising positions?”

“Oh, I get it.” She takes a sip of her wine. “You’re scared I’m going to make up a story about you using your star power to lure me out here and take advantage of me.” She cocks her head. “Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Going to take advantage of me?”

“Fuck, no.”

Rowan shrugs. “Then you don’t have to worry. Even if you had nefarious intentions, I’m not interested in ruining your career.”

I frown. “If someone acts on their nefarious intentions, you should ruin their career.”

“Seems like a lot of paperwork.” When I don’t smile, she sighs. “Look, I just don’t want to lose my job. If that means giving up my hot tub so I don’t get fired, so be it.”

“Not necessary,” I say. “I’m not interested in ruining your career, either. I’ll leave you in peace.”

I start to go.

“Or…” she says.

I turn around. “Or?”

She presses her lips together. “Nothing.”

I flash her what I’m told is my signature, megawatt smile. “Tell me.”

“Emotional carnage is hard enough to witness,” Rowan says reluctantly, as if she’s fighting with herself. “Must be exhausting when you’re the one drowning in it.”

“I won’t argue with that.” My phone in my back pocket buzzes with a text. Eva’s screeching comes through loud and clear, even without sound.

Are we just not going to talk ever again??? After all we’ve been through? Is that your plan????

“Speaking of exhausting.” I turn my phone to silent and shove it back in my pocket. “My ex.”

“Ah.”

“Eva.”

Rowan nods. “I know who she is.”

“I figured,” I say. “Most people have read the tabloids or internet bullshit, but I prefer to act as if they haven’t.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, I don’t start conversations with, I’m sure you’ve read all about me but…”

“I get it,” Rowan says. “It’s not an actual conversation if you have to act like your own defense attorney before its even begun.”

“Exactly,” I say. “Yes, thank you.”

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