Page 43 of The Grumpy Actor

“Of course I do.” She grins, then reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “Thank you.”

My heart swells. “No, thankyoufor being here with me.”

“Now, on to our meal.” I clap my hands twice to alert the servers. “I heard their special nine-course meal here is to die for. I wanted to try it with you.”

“Good. I’d be mad if you were trying it alone.”

I throw my head back in laughter. Her lightheartedness warms my heart so much that I wonder how I ever lived without her in my life.

The servers wheel in our starters and place them on our table. Sophie tries the food with gusto, wearing the smile that’s always had a hook on me.

We go through our meals, laughing and chatting softly. When we finish all the courses, we move to the terrace, where I had them set up patio chairs with our drinks and classical music playing in the background.

The night sky is beautiful to look at with all of the shining stars, but the only star I want to look at is Sophie.

“Oh, I hope you haven’t forgotten that I won’t be able to assist you this Saturday,” Sophie says.

I frown. “Why?”

“Don’t tell me you forgot. I have a day off. Julian said I could take one, and you agreed.”

“And what would you need a day off for, girlfriend?” I tilt my head to the side. “Are you that eager to get away from me?”

She chuckles, shaking her head at me. “It’s nothing of the sort. It’s my mom’s birthday, and I’m planning this little dinner for her, so I’ll be pretty busy.”

“Oh,” I mutter. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I would like to be at her mom’s birthday. She should share something as important as this with me. Or are we not there yet?

“Oh, you’ll be busy with shooting, so I didn’t want to bother you. And it’s just a small gathering for a few family and friends. Nothing too crazy.”

If it includes a few family and friends, I should still be there. I’m her boyfriend. Am I overestimating my importance in her life?

Maybe this is the best way to go about this. I shouldn’t be getting too close to her family, anyway.

No.

It doesn’t sit right with me that she didn’t tell me about her mom’s birthday. I want to be able to share in moments like this. I want to be a part of her life.

Or maybe I just need to get a grip.

Chapter 13

Sophie

“Ishecoming?”

“Is who coming? Can you be a bit more specific with your questions, Lily?” I ask.

“Don’t pretend not to know who I’m talking about.”

I do know who she’s talking about. It’s the same person she’s been trying to get me to talk about all day.

Ever since I started dating Liam again, Lily has been quite careful about how she broaches conversations about him. However, she seems to have let go of all forms of patience now and just wants answers.

Lily snatches the balloon out of my hands, forcing me to face her head-on.

“We have barely two hours before the guests arrive for dinner. We don’t have time to waste.”

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