Page 32 of You. Me. Us.

None yet, but it just posted.

Remembering the phone in his hand, Julius finally let his finger tap the call button, bouncing his leg again as it rang once, twice. “Come on Hil, pick up. I need to congratulate you.”

“Thanks for calling Hillary Mitchell, Associate Writer at Muse Magazine, I’m not here…”

Voicemail.

He barked a laugh. “Of course. You’re about to be the most popular woman in the city.”

He ended the call still chuckling. The whole world would be calling for Hillary Mitchell now. And he couldn’t wait to be by her side through it all.

“Well, I can still do what I wanted to do and figure out the getting it to her later.”

Julius printed out both articles, carefully trimming the edges. He traced a finger over her byline, a soft smile playing on his lips.

His mind drifted back to the table reads three days ago, a formality to ensure she could work with Ethan, Cole, and Valerie with her agent present to negotiate the contract.

But for him, it had been much more than that.

Hillary had been magnetic, embodying the regal bearing of the alien queen with an ease that left him in awe. Even Ethan, who always seemed so confident and cocky, had looked impressed. Julius could see the genuine respect for her talent in his eyes.

He chuckled as he remembered Valerie’s reaction because she had practically glowed with pride at being cast as Hillary’s mentor and confidante in the film. The two women already seemed to have formed a bond during the short table read. He wasn’t certain how old Hillary’s mother was, but Valerie was more than excited to play the closest thing the alien queen would have alive to a mother.

Everyone had been as taken with Hillary as he was. They saw what he saw.

It was the vulnerability she brought to the role that truly captivated Julius. The way her voice hitched with emotion during the queen’s impassioned speech, the subtle tremble of her hands as she reached for her dying lover—Ethan’s character before she realizes she was in love with Julius’s bounty hunter.

Those weren’t the scenes that came naturally to her, but she’d thrown herself into them with the same fierce determination he assumed she applied to everything in her life.

Julius glanced at his watch, his leg bouncing with renewed energy. Just a few more hours until he could see her, present her with the framed article, and tell her in person how incredibly proud he was.

He refreshed the page again, watching as the comments section exploded with praise for Hillary’s performance andexcitement for the upcoming film. A grin stretched across his face.

“You’re going to be a star, Hil,” he murmured to the empty room.

He set the articles into the two sleek black frames he purchased just for them, carefully overlaying just a bit of the casting announcement news over it, and set it on the coffee table, his fingers lingering on the glass. Tonight, she had her first acting class, and he was going to be there for every moment, encouraging her.

She’d already declined celebrating, twice, and he’d begun to wonder if she’d changed her mind about him until she’d sent him an almost naughty photo of herself getting ready this morning.

It was obvious she wasn’t too comfortable in her skin, but he was going to show her exactly why she should be if it killed him.

The acting studio buzzed with energy as Hillary and Julius stepped inside, their hands intertwined. Ethan and Samantha, already engaged in conversation, glanced up at their arrival. Samantha’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features as she noticed Hillary’s proximity to Julius. She was one actress who had the role of villain far too easily matched to her personality.

But you’re going to protect Hillary from her.

“Hillary, darling!” Ethan called out, his voice dripping with charm. “Come join us. We were just discussing the nuances of our characters’ relationships.”

Hillary hesitated, her grip on Julius’s hand tightening. He leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. “You’ve gotthis, Hil. They’re your co-stars, not your enemies. Besides, we all chose to come and help, this is about helping you, not judging you.”

She nodded, steeling herself before releasing his hand and approaching Ethan and Samantha. Julius watched, a mix of pride and protectiveness swelling in his chest as she engaged in the conversation, her initial nervousness melting away.

“All right, everyone!” Vera’s voice cut through the chatter. “Let’s dive into today’s lesson. Julius, I believe you had something you thought would help Hillary learn how to get in character?”

Julius grinned, stepping forward. “Indeed, I do. To truly embody a character, we must understand their world, their motivations, and the people who shape their lives. Hillary, you mentioned the challenges of portraying an alien ruler at the table read. While we may not have access to extraterrestrial life, we can learn from those who lead in our own world.”

He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. With a few taps, the room filled with the confident, measured voice of the female Vice President. Hillary’s eyes widened, her mouth forming a silent “oh” as she listened to the recording.

“Notice her tone, the way she commands attention without raising her voice,” Julius instructed, his eyes locking with Hillary’s. “The power behind her words, the conviction in her beliefs. These are the qualities you can infuse into your performance.”

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