Page 9 of Until Then

“Girl.” Greer sighs. “Yes. The man is in the showWicked Darlings. Nay, I recant—he’s the freaking lead. Has been for the seven seasons! Oh, and his brother—get this—is a rockstar. Deliciously hot, but also . . . married. I’ll look but not touch, you know? Girl code.”

I’m going to be sick.

How reckless can I be? I stayed over at a man’s house, a man I didn’t know. And he’s apparently utterly recognizable by the female population.

Except sheltered, naïveme.

“Noah is known in all the major circles,” Greer goes on. “Always has a new model on his arm, you know? Girl, this is . . . I mean, go you, Haze. Go. You. I’m speechless. Well, speechlessfor me. Wait, you’re all right, aren’t you?” Greer takes a long breath in, cutting off her rambling for a moment before she barrels on with more panic. “He didn’t like, roofie you, right? Sometimes these famous guys get busted for being perverts. He doesn’t seem the type, has that innocent look, you know, but . . . sometimes it’s the sweet ones. Where are you? Can you get out? Do you want to get out?Speak to me!”

“Greer,” I whisper. “I’m fine. Noah was . . . well, it was the perfect day. But, um, go back to the models on his arm part.”

Greer takes a loud breath. “Sweetie, he’s Noah Hayden. A beautiful, philandering philanthropist. Or so they say. He does seem to have a lot of luck with a lot of different women. But I mean, he gives back to be sure. I can’t tell you details, but the firm knows his name well.”

Greer works for a public interest law firm and helps those who run non-profits all the time.

Noah’s theater kids are likely real.

I smile, but my chin trembles. He didn’t lie to me, but he clearly omitted a massive detail. Such an omission that took a choice out of my hands. I refuse to step into the light of the rich and famous, and I keep my reasons for it close to my heart.

Jasper was a new writer, hardly making a living when we met. I was supportive, thinking he would move into talk shows or radio until he got his big break with a showrunner for a streaming service.

The poison of the limelight took him just like it always did. Sex, parties, not caring he had a faithful fiancée who’d stood with him from the beginning back at home.

For all I know, Noah Hayden saw a new conquest. A woman who didn’t know about his status, and one he could manipulate.

“Haze.”

“I think I should go before he wakes up.”

“Or live your life on the wild side for a few more hours,” Greer said.

“I feel lied to,” I admit.

“Maybe he thought you knew who he was and assumed you didn’t care.”

“I asked him what he did for a living and he told me he teaches kids about acting. He intentionally left out the part where he’s on a massive TV Show.”

“Wicked Darlingsis huge. It was trending at number one for basically five weeks last season. I need you to know something, don’t hold it against me. I’ve seen your future husband’s naked butt. Way more than once. And it’s perfect.”

“Greer.” I scrub a hand down my face. I did not need to know the guy who clawed into my bloodstream yesterday films graphic love scenes with beautiful actresses. “He’s an actor and . . . I thought it was real.”

“Haze.” There is sympathy in her voice. “Who says it wasn’t?”

“Be honest, am I really his type?”

She pauses again. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Exactly. I was someone easy, someone a little desperate after a breakup. The perfect chance to practice being exactly what the viewer wanted. It’s what he does for a living, to be someone else. To play a role.”

Hot tears burn behind my eyes.

“Let me come get you,” Greer says, softer than before.

“No.” I swallow through the emotion. “I’ll just leave and take a car.”

“Hayley,” she says. “You might be wrong here. You might not be his typical type, but . . . maybe that’s exactly why you caught his eye.”

“I caught his eye because I was feral for a scone.” I’m such an idiot, but I refuse to be hurt by men who live the life of Noah again. It’s like a curse for me, and I plan to end the cycle.

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