Page 37 of Between the Lines

Budding Love Between Co-Stars?was the tamest of the headlines I saw on a quick scroll of my tags. Pure absurdity, really, paired with the pictures of the most innocuous hugever.

We’d even fuckingfist-bumpedafter!

Apparently, those were signals of something much more salacious—I groaned when Chloe’s name popped up on my phone, calling me as I walked into the building.

Into a chorus of my name.

“What the fuck?” I muttered, not realizing until right that moment there was a new group of nosy bloggers headed my way—luckily intercepted by my building security as the front desk person ushered me to the elevator.

Thiswas what I hated.

I’d had a great day, bonded with my co-star, maybe picked up a few fans, and nowthisshit was killing my vibe. I took the call from Chloe—just reassurance more than anything else. Being connected romantically to Alec wasn’t a bad thing, and it could be cleared up easily, with proper timing. If there was a quick jump to deny it, there would actually be an opposite affect—making it look like I was sensitive about it, so it must be true.

The only action to take here was…to be quiet.

Which I could do.

I was tired anyway and was much more interested in getting a shower and getting into my pajamas so I could go to bed. I did text Logan about me finding a new place though—home was supposed to be a sanctuary, and I loved my building, but getting ambushed outside the lobby wasnotit.

Shaw didn’t think so either.

“So…about that security,” was the first thing out of his mouth when I answered his video call.

I laughed. “You’re not going to tease me about me and Alec apparently going together now?”

“I’m getting to that, but let’s start with—I see you’re playing, so I’m just going to take it upon myself. Donotfire them this time.” His faceandhis voice were stern, both of which were sexy, but I knew that wasn’t quite the energy for right now.

“You don’t have to do that—I’ll hire somebody,” I promised. “I’ve been researching, but I always get overwhelmed. Do you have a recommendation?”

“Yeah, her name is Tamra, she works with Kingston Whitfield’s head of security. And she’s already hired, actually,” Shaw admitted. “Alec told me you didn’t bring anybody to the convention with you.”

“Because I knewhehad security,” I defended. “And between their two big asses, who was going to try me?”

“The reporters that were hanging around outside your building, according to these clips from social media,” he countered. “I know you love your place, but?—”

“I need to move—I know,Dad.” I laughed. “Did you call me just to be bossy, or…?”

“I’m being bossy?”

“Very much so. But you’re trying to be protective, so…I guess I’ll allow it.”

He chuckled. “I just…shit. It would really mess me up if something happened to you. Somethingmore,” he added, and I shook my head.

Weeks later, I was still having nightmares about the man who grabbed me in that parking lot. I’d declined pressing charges just so I could move on.

“I’m listening. I promise,” I said, picking up my tablet from where I’d left it on my nightstand. “But I’m also tired, so can we talk about something less serious?”

“Go for it. Tell me how the convention went.”

“The reporters and shit outside were a little much, as usual, but outside of that I had a great time,” I told him. “I’m trying to see if I can find pictures now.”

I had to go to social media for that, and my notifications were a mess of tags about that Alec shit—most of which I could easily ignore.

Except…

“The fuck?”

“What’s up?” Shaw asked. I glanced away from the tablet just long enough to see him peering into the screen with a frown.

---