Page 27 of The Grumpy Actor

Part of me wants to argue that she overreacted—but the other part, the quieter one, knows better.

I sank low to get her attention. And all I did was prove her right about me.

I sink into the couch, elbows on my knees, dragging both hands through my hair as I try to breathe through the ache in my chest.

I definitely hurt her tonight. And the more I think about it, the more I wonder if this isn’t just about tonight at all. Maybe it’s a pain she’s carried for a while—one I chose not to see. It’s an accumulated pain she’s tried to ignore. How could I have chosen to remain so insensitive to her feelings?

I do believe I made the right choice back then, and I tried to end the relationship as cleanly as I could. However, that doesn’t change the fact that I still ended things without giving Sophie a tangible reason why, which must have made her even more heartbroken.

No. I knew what would happen then, but I thought it was the best way for her to get over me fast.

If that was the case, then I have no right to get jealous over her moving on with another man.

If I really believe that, then I’m exactly what she says I am.

***

I rush out of bed and quickly throw on a robe.

The familiar clattering sounds in the kitchen mean Sophie is here. It’s surprising that she’s showing up, even though she already made it clear she’ll keep working for me.

Sophie has always been a woman of her word.

And it’s about time I make things right by apologizing to her.

Even if it takes a while to earn her forgiveness, I have to try.

I stop in my tracks as I rush into the kitchen. Sophie isn’t here, but Julian is rummaging around, fixing coffee.

Is she quitting after all?

“Why do you look so disappointed to see me?” Julian asks. He squints at me. “Were you expecting someone else?”

He’s grasping at straws to find something out, and I won’t give him that satisfaction.

“Of course. My assistant is usually the one who comes here too early. So pardon my disappointment at seeing my manager instead,” I say, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

Julian rolls his eyes. “She went to set earlier to map out the day’s schedule.”

“Isn’t that something production should take care of? And why are they mapping out a different schedule?”

“Liam, we’re behind on shooting, so the director is trying to salvage what he can by fixing more scenes on your schedule. Are we good now?”

I push back my anger and pick up the coffee cup he just filled. Julian glares at me, but he proceeds to pour another cup for himself.

My mind travels to Sophie again, as well as our argument last night. It would have been so much easier to apologize to her here. I’ll be too busy later, and this will end up dragging out even longer.

“Were you looking forward to seeing her for some other reason?”

I turn my attention to Julian. “What?”

“Perhaps to continue your conversation from last night?”

I gasp.

He knows. How?

“What are you talking about?”

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