Page 58 of Lost Lyrics

He was mine. I was his.

From then until the end of time.

Chapter 15

MADDY

“And that’s a wrap.” Hilary, my producer, stepped out from behind the camera.

Instead of cheering, or clapping, or that-was-a-great-day-everyone praises from the crew, solemnness hung in the air.

Tears prickled my eyes. My chest pressed tight around my heart. But as I drew in a fresh breath, the weight on my shoulders disappeared. Light filled my steps as I headed off the studio set. After five and a half years of dedicating my life toVancouver Heights,I’d filmed my last scene. Stepped off set for the last time. Delivered my last lines.

Hilary ambled toward me with her arms held wide. Sadness clouded her eyes. Her bottom lip jutted forward. “Maddy, amazing take.”

I gave her a warm, tight hug.Of course it was.But oh my God! I’m done.

I’d loved my show until I’d needed six months off to save my marriage and get better. My work was no longer the reason I got out of bed in the morning. Slip was.Iwas. My found family was. What was important to me had changed.

I held nothing but respect for Hilary. She’d always been kind, supportive, and an incredible producer, even if she’d beendifficult to work with since I’d returned for this season.

“Thank you.” I stepped back and placed my hand on her forearm. “For everything. For believing in me and helping me when needed.”

She bowed her head. “It has been a pleasure working with you. I’m sorry to see you go.”

“Me too. But it’s time. New opportunities are waiting to be discovered.” My agent hadn’t found me another role yet, but I had a meeting with him in LA in four days. Hopefully, he’d have some updates by then.

“You’ll shine no matter what you do or where you go.” Hilary’s words were always encouraging. “I’m already envious of whoever casts you.”

“Thank you.” I gave her one last hug.

My castmates and the crew gathered around me. The tears, hugs, and wishes overwhelmed me. These people had been great friends and fun to work with, but they weren’t family. Not like Slip, Sutton, and the band. I’d denied it for so long, but LA was home. I no longer had to distance myself from the heartache and humiliation I’d experienced several years ago when Noah had left me at the altar. I didn’t have to worry about Mom. She was no longer sick and suffering. I didn’t have to stress about gossip surrounding Slip and me. It had died down. We were blissfully, happily married. We’d given each other time and had put effort into our relationship and were excited about the next chapter in our lives.

I had no job and no solid plans, but I was confident I’d pick up a new role. I was fortunate to be an A-lister and ambitious, and I’d been in demand by casting agents. I’d wait for the right role, though. Slip had come to Canada to support me. Now it was time to return the favor while he and the guys wrote their new album.

Slip, carrying a huge bunch of red roses, meanderedaround cameras and booms, and made his way through the crew to me. He slid his arm around my waist and kissed me on the lips. “Congratulations. To the end of an era and on to new beginnings. Love you.”

“You’d better take care of Maddy.” Geraldine, my fellow castmate, flicked Slip’s shoulder with the back of her hand. “Or I’ll come to LA and kick your ass.”

“I promise I will.” Slip chuckled as he stood beside me.

“Gonna miss you like crazy, Maddy.” Mills, my on-screen boyfriend, hugged me. “You take care.”

“You, too.”Asshole.But we were cool. I wouldn’t miss his shitty jokes. Or his cherry cola breath.Nope. Not one bit.

Slip sneered at him. “I’m not gonna miss you making out with my wife on the show anymore.”

I loved that Slip was a touch jealous and protective of me.Possessive.It was hot.

“I won’t miss you visiting the set and glaring at me. You intimidate the fuck out of me, bro.” Mills’s voice pitched high. Had my badass rock star with long hair, tattoos, and a ripped body made Mills nervous?Good.“Thought you’d storm onto the set and deck me every time I had to get close to Maddy.”

Some days, I’d wished Slip had.

“Believe me,” Slip jested with a twitch of his lip, “I’ve thought about it.”

Mills let out a nervous laugh, then cleared his throat and straightened his stance. “But Maddy was the best on-screen girlfriend a guy could ask for. Always professional. Always fun. Always amazing.”

Aw!Mills could be nice. Pity it was too late.

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