Page 59 of Finding Her Leading Man

She gave him a quick squeeze around his waist, hoping to prompt him to continue. “That leaves me or Grayson.”

“Both.”

“Ah. Great. A vague answer.”

He half-smiled. “I guess it is.”

“Please, Trevor. Give me a little more.”

Trevor sighed, his strong shoulders relaxing a fraction. “My early childhood—”

“Whoa. Okay, going back to the beginning.”

“Doesn’t everyone’s story start at the beginning?” He kissed her forehead. “My childhood was centered around my parents and their jobs. They didn’t care about Addie or me. They only cared about making money. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. We were left alone, with our housekeeper, about half of the year.” He stroked a hand down her hair. “I swore I’d do something I loved and not for the money. I also promised myself I’d never put another person, a wife, a child in that same situation. Running off with them waiting back home. Waiting on me. Wondering. Questioning. It sucks to be on the receiving end of that type of relationship.”

Was he worried about the time he spent with her taking away from his commitments with Grayson? “How does that relate to me? I don’t need you to take me on as a client.”

“Baby, if you need my help, I’ll be here. I’m just not sure how much use I’ll be for you. Grayson isn’t the same as a Broadway star or even a regular actor. Grayson has turned into a name. People want him for movies and shows. There’s not muchagentingthat has to go on if that’s a word. I don’t have to go out and find him parts. I don’t know how your world works.”

“It’s different. Having an agent with connections is worth its price in commission on Broadway.”

He traced the edge of her face with his finger. “I think you’re almost at that point where you don’t need one, either.”

“No. Here today, gone tomorrow. Broadway is ruthless. I’m not at the level of Kristin Chenoweth or Idina Menzel.”

“Not yet, but you will be.” He held her chin between his fingers. “Everyone in that room last night watched you. They couldn’t give a damn about Jasper. You’re magical on stage. Any stage. Even that small one that they set up just for your performance.”

His praise humbled her. To have a man like Trevor believe in her made her wish that their situation, her emotions, were so much simpler. She didn’t need to jump from being with Jasper for years back into another serious relationship. Maybe, in a few months or another year, if they were still dating, she could consider it.

She owed it to herself to be alone and happy.

But she didn’t want to give up Trevor.

He gave her a gentle shake by her shoulders. “You’re analyzing me or us or something again. You get this faraway look in your eyes. Don’t overthink this. I know I’m happy with you, right now, right here, and that’s enough for today.”

“I like that.” She could handle things one day at a time. That’s what he seemed to need as well. She slid her fingers into the back of his hair. “Our flight leaves at three.”

He checked his watch. “That gives us five hours.”

She smiled in a seductive way that she’d practiced for the stage but hoped it worked as well in real life. “Think we can take care of a few more of those condoms you brought.”

He grinned, the shadows from the conversation with his dad vanishing. “I’ll give it a damn good try.”

22

Trevor changed. From the time they stepped into the bed and breakfast and he spotted his dad, his entire demeanor shifted. Serious and pensive replaced the man that she’d spent the morning curled around, pretending that they didn’t have to worry about the future.

They spent the flight from New York to Atlanta and the three-hour drive south in peaceful conversation. He exposed a little more of himself, about how he knew Cameron from a football camp back in high school. How he and Grayson had become a team from the time they met.

But now, he was distant.

Samantha stood in the back room at Rhonda’s Roadhouse, sipping her second glass of white wine (because at Rhonda’s, two-for-one meant you were getting two drinks) and trying to understand the politics of his family. Trevor was an amazing man. His father didn’t see it that way.

And Trevor used every ounce of determination to avoid ending up like him in every way possible.

“I feel like we are a part of a special club now,” Cameron said as he stepped to Samantha’s side. He motioned to Addie and Trevor standing in front of their parents. Both their mom and dad had a disapproving look, and their kids matched them with defiance.

“Are we the pity party?” Samantha motioned at the four of them. “We both pity them.”

---