Page 70 of Happy Trails & Honey Pots

I had a feeling that this week was going to be very surreal. I just needed to keep reminding myself that this was about AJ and Austin, not me. At some point, it would be about me, but not this week.

I’d had two nights about me. The night at the production office and the night after AJ’s birthday party. Those were about me. But I probably shouldn’t think about those either since the man I’d shared them with would be here, too. Or maybe I should. Maybe that wasexactlywhat I needed to think about to help me get through this week.

34

MILES

“You’re in a good mood today.”Braxton’s comment was borderline accusatory as she handed me a coffee and took a seat in the director’s chair beside me behind the monitors.

“Am I?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Yes. All last week, you had a dark cloud hanging over you, but today, the sun is out.”

Instead of commenting, I sipped my drink. The last text exchange Zoe and I had was good. She’d apologized, and I told her she had nothing to be sorry about. I hadn’t wanted to overwhelm her by texting right back, though, and we hadn’t spoken or texted since. I knew she was going to be coming to set and I would see her, which was why I was in such a good mood. I hadn’t seen her yet, but just knowing she was here made me feel invincible. Like nothing could go wrong.

“This change of weather wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain brunette mom coming to set today, would it?”

My eyes cut to hers.

“It’s pretty obvious.”

“Is it?” I looked around, wondering who else knew. Zoe had made it clear that she didn’t want whatever happened between us to get out. She had to live here once I left.

“Not to everyone. Just me. You like her. A lot.”

I wasn’t going to deny it. I did.

“Is she why you turned down the role for?—”

“No,” I quickly corrected her. “Zoe doesn’t want anything to do with me. I turned down that role because it’s not what I want. I told you. I want to take time off.”

“So this thing with Zoe. Is it serious?”

“I told you, she doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

“She doesn’t want anything to do with you?” Braxton repeated.

“No.”

“And you’ve told her how you feel?”

“She knows.”

“Have you told her?” she rephrased.

“She knows.”

“Through osmosis?”

“I called her and messaged her every day the entire time we were in New Mexico. I sent her flowers. And, like you said, it’s obvious. Then we had a…she got upset with me…it doesn’t matter. We’re okay now, but, it’s not like that. She made it clear that it’s not going to happen.”

“Wow.” Braxton shook her head.

“What?”

“I just did not think that you werethatclueless.”

“Clueless?”

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