Page 28 of You. Me. Us.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Hillary made her way quietly toward the sound and pressed her ear against the door. She only heard one voice despite the pause in conversion, leaving her to believe someone was on the phone.

There was a sudden click and before Hillary could step back, the door swung open.

Hillary waited, expecting to see a frazzled casting assistant, or perhaps, another actor. Instead, she found herself face-to-face with Julius.

“Julius? What are you doing here?” The words tumbled out, laced with surprise and confusion. She had expected to see him here, on stage, with others.

He flashed her his signature grin, the one that graced magazine covers and made hearts flutter around the world, not just in her chest.

“Hillary! I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Why wouldn’t I make it? I was assigned to cover the audition. It’s work, contrary to yesterday, I do not skip work!” She gestured to the empty room confused why he thought she would abandon work with how much she spoke about it. “Where is everyone else?”

Julius stepped closer, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, you see, there is no one else. This audition, it’s for you. If you aren’t about to kick me in the balls and run off.” He flashed that smile again.

Hillary blinked, trying to process his words. “I don’t understand. You set this up? For me?”

Is this a joke? A hidden camera prank?Her eyes darted around, expecting a film crew to materialize from behind the sleek leather couches.

Julius nodded, a gentle smile playing on his lips. “I did. I know it’s unconventional, but hear me out.” He gestured toward the empty audition room, the sunlight streaming through the large windows casting a warm glow on the hardwood floors. “You love to tell stories, Hillary. I went and looked up some of your articles. The way you write, the depth you bring to your characters—it’s remarkable. And I couldn’t help but think, what if that talent could be brought to life on screen? What if the woman who let loose and was comfortable in her skin had a chance to show her energy to the camera?”

Hillary’s heart pounded against her chest, threatening to burst through her ribcage. The room around her blurred and spun, making it hard to focus on anything but the overwhelming rush of fear coursing through her body. The sound of Julius’s voice became muffled and distant, drowned out by the deafeningthud of her racing heart. She struggled to make out his moving lips, her senses overwhelmed and her mind struggling to keep up with the intensity of the moment.

She shook her head, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “Julius, I’m a journalist, not an actress. I write stories. I don’t act them out. I barely had the nerve to speak to anyone at Comic Con. How the hell could I do this?” The curse slipped out against character as she gestured wildly around herself.

Julius reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm in a reassuring gesture. “I know. But I also know that sometimes the greatest talents are hidden, waiting to be discovered. And I believe in you, Hillary. I believe in the magic you can bring to this role.”

Hillary’s heart raced as she tried to wrap her mind around this unexpected turn of events. The panic attack seemed imminent, but if she could force herself to think, she could push it off. It was one thing to have the man of her literal dreams in her life. It was another entirely for him to be insane. Which is the only explanation.

Julius reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm in a reassuring gesture. “I know. But I also know that sometimes the greatest talents are hidden, waiting to be discovered. And I believe in you, Hillary. I believe in the magic you can bring to this role.” He walked over to the table, picking up the script and handing it to her. “This character, she’s complex, layered, and full of depth. Just like you. I couldn’t imagine anyone else bringing her to life the way you could. She is how I see you, a timid warrior ready to take charge.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, Julius, but I’m not sure I can do this.” She pulled her hand away, her instinct to retreat kicking in.

Her mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions—disbelief, confusion, and a growing sense of anger. How could Julius thinkthis was her? She was a journalist, not an actress. This was not part of the plan, not part of her carefully constructed life.

She turned on her heel, her shoes squeaking against the polished floor as she strode toward the door. Julius’s voice called out behind her, pleading for her to wait, to listen, but she couldn’t. Not now. Not when her heart was pounding in her ears and her palms were slick with sweat.

Hillary burst through the door, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps as she navigated the labyrinth of hallways. The exposed brick walls seemed to close in on her, the once charming industrial aesthetic now suffocating. She needed air, needed space to think, to process the bombshell Julius had just dropped on her.

She could hear his footsteps behind her, the thud of his shoes against the hardwood floors. He was chasing after her, trying to stop her from running away. But Hillary was determined. She quickened her pace, her legs burning as she pushed herself forward.

“Hillary, please!” Julius’s voice echoed through the empty building, desperation lacing his words.

She shook her head, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. He didn’t understand. He couldn’t understand. Acting was his world, not hers. She was content behind the scenes, crafting stories with her words, not embodying them on screen.

Hillary rounded a corner, nearly colliding with a potted plant. She sidestepped it, her heart leaping into her throat as she caught a glimpse of Julius’s reflection in the floor-to-ceiling windows. He was gaining on her, his long strides eating up the distance between them.

Panic seized her, and she veered left, bursting through a set of double doors and into a cavernous space. The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the soft glow ofemergency exit signs. Rows of theater seats stretched out before her, their red velvet upholstery faded and worn.

Hillary paused, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. The theater was empty, the stage bare, save for a lone microphone stand. It was a far cry from the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, a stark reminder of the world she didn’t belong in.

Behind her, the doors swung open, and Julius stepped into the theater. His blue eyes were wide, his brow furrowed with concern. “Hillary, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought?—”

“You thought what?” Hillary whirled around, her green eyes flashing with anger. “That you could just pluck me out of my life and drop me into yours? That I would just give up my job? That I would be any good at this when I can barely walk across the street without worrying I’ll upset someone?”

Her chest heaved as she stared at him, her eyes narrowing into slits of fury.

Julius took a tentative step forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. “Hillary, please, let me explain.” He kept his voice quiet, and even he could hear the way it was tinged with remorse and a desperate need for her to understand.

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