Page 44 of Stone Promises

“No. It wasn’t an audition,” I say. “It was a total fluke. I was in the food court waiting for my little brother, who was fifteen at the time, when he came racing out of a store looking terrified. Two security guards were running up behind him. Kyle said he snatched something from the store and he begged me not to let them put him in jail. Apparently, I gave the performance of a lifetime, sweet-talking the guards into letting it slide. I fed them so much bullshit, I’m surprised they didn’t drown in it.

“After the security guards left, a man came up to me, telling me he saw the whole thing. I thought he was a cop, but it turned out he was a talent agent. He said he was impressed by my improv and my confidence and that I had what he was looking for. I told him I didn’t have any acting experience other than a play I did in high school. He didn’t seem to care. He said I had the right look or some shit like that. He gave me his card. On a dare from Kyle, I called the guy a week later. The next month, I was cast inMalibu 310.”

“Wow,” Melissa says. “How lucky were you?”

Sometimes I wonder. I wonder if it was the best thing that ever happened to me, or the worst. It did, after all, separate me from who I was. And from Mal. But then again, it also led me back to her. And now here we are, right where we should be.

We are served dessert and spend the rest of the night reminiscing about old times. Despite the awkwardness with Julian, I don’t want the night to end. Mainly because Mallory came with Melissa and not me. She thought it’d be more neutral that way. She didn’t want it to seem like we were teaming up on him. But it means when we say goodbye, I won’t see her for two days. I’ve got plans with my cousin Jarod and his family tomorrow, and the next night she does her volunteer work. It was bad enough not seeing her for the entire day yesterday, I can’t imagine going two days without seeing her now that I know we can finally be together. It makes me dread Thursday, the day I leave for Vancouver. I’ve got commitments for the next two weeks. Two weeks where she can change her mind. Two weeks for Julian to talk her out of it. Two weeks for her to meet someone else who doesn’t come with all my baggage.

The girls get up to use the bathroom before we leave. I watch Julian follow Mallory out the door with his eyes. And then he and I are left sitting alone for the first time tonight. “You’re in love with her,” I say.

It’s not a question.

He smirks. “Looks like we’re right back where we started then, aren’t we?”

That’s no lie. I think we both loved her even then. Before he dated her. Before I came back. “Yeah, but you had your chance, Julian. Now it’s my turn.”

He nods reluctantly. “I know. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t threaten to kick your ass if you hurt her.”

“Duly noted,” I say. “If I hurt her, I’ll be the first one to let you.”

The server comes to clear the table, our cue to leave. Julian gets out his wallet. “No,” I tell him. “It’s already been taken care of. You can get the next one.”

I put on my baseball cap as we head out into the lobby. I managed to sneak in without notice, so I hope my luck holds. Cole sees me and heads out to get the car. The ladies find us waiting for them and come over to say goodbye. I hold my hand out to Julian. “It’s been good seeing you again. We should hang out sometime when I’m in town.”

He pulls a business card out of his pocket. “Sure. Give me a call.”

I try to judge his sincerity. Does he really want to try and be friends again? Or does he want to keep tabs on me? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer and all that shit. I read his business card. Maybe he just wants my money. It really fucking sucks not knowing what people’s true motives are when your face is plastered on billboards and buses.

“It was nice to meet you, Melissa. I hope we can do this again sometime.” I give her a kiss on the cheek.

She blushes. And squeals. “Holy shit, Thad Stone just kissed me.”

“No,” I tell her. “Mallory’s boyfriend did.”

I take Mallory by the elbow. “We good?”

She looks in my eyes. She knows exactly what I’m asking. She smiles up at me, nodding.

I lean down and kiss her on the head. “Good. I’ll see you soon, then.”

I head out the front door, tapping out a text as I wait for Cole.

Me: The next time I say goodnight to my girlfriend, I’m going to kiss the fucking shit out of her. Just sayin’.

I peek back inside and watch Mallory pull her phone out of her pocket. Then I watch a huge smile overtake her face. Then I can’t help my celebratory fist pump.

Chapter Fourteen

Mallory

As I wait for Chad to pick me up, I page through the texts he’s sent me over the past few days. Texts a boyfriend sends to a girlfriend. Texts about wanting to kiss me, hold hands with me. Texts that reference a future he wants me to be a part of.

I’m teeming with excitement that we are even considering a future together. I thought the door on that was shut nine years ago. But at the same time, I’m wary. Julian brought up some valid points. When are we even going to have the time to see each other? I teach and he has so many appearances, interviews, upcoming movies to promote, new films to make. Will either of us be happy with a significant other we can only see once a month or whatever? Will he be able to resist all the temptations that go along with being who he is?

Then I think about all the nice things he’s done for me since he came back into my life. And I know in my heart that even seeing him once a month would be a hundred times better than seeing some other guy every day of the week.

Take Monday night. A courier arrived at my door when I got home from work. He delivered a huge box along with a beautiful vase of flowers. Inside the box was a copy ofDefcon Oneon Blu-ray. It hasn’t even been released to theaters yet, not until next month. He sent me my own private copy. Also in the box was everything you’d need for a night at the movies—popcorn, jujubes, and an uber-comfy pillow and blanket for me to cuddle up with. And darn it if they didn’t smell like him. I think he must have spritzed his cologne on them before boxing them up. He included a card.

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