Page 36 of Obsession on Repeat
The hallway light turned on, and I blinked at the sight of Sullivan as he stumbled into the doorway dressed in his boxers. He rubbed his forehead, squinting at me. "Baby? What time is it?"
I lowered my foot back to the floor. "It’s 5:30."
He moved forward to hug me. "I didn’t realize you’d be coming in that late."
"I stayed behind to clean up." I pulled away. "I’m going to take a shower before I come to bed."
"I wish I could join you."
"In the shower?"
He grinned but shook his head. "I meant the bed. Eric called last night. I got the lead role in the new Christopher Nolan film that I auditioned for last week. I know it’s bad timing, but I fly out tomorrow for wardrobe and to meet the other cast members."
"I’m happy for you, believe me, but that makes me a little sad," I admitted. "We haven’t had any time to spend together lately."
He cradled my hands against his chest. "Come with me. Every moment I don’t have to work, we’ll spend it together."
I pulled my hands free. "You know I can’t do that. I literally started my job tonight."
"You’re right. I’m sorry. I was making a suggestion."
"How long will you be gone?"
"For a couple days." He cleared his throat. "Filming starts next month…"
My mouth dropped open as I stared at him.
"I’ll be gone for about five months."
"You’re kidding."
"I wish I was. I’m sorry to drop all of this on you, but I’ve been working hard to get where I am, this role could change my entire career for me. Tell me you understand."
I did, but in so many ways, I felt betrayed. I had left a good job behind in Australia simply based on my emotions and a promise of something special. Suddenly, I wasn’t sure I hadn’t been sold a lie.
"Go take a shower. I’m going to get dressed, and we’ll talk some more until my ride arrives."
He had been gone a total of sixteen hours, thirty minutes, and some odd seconds. Not that I was counting. I could smell him on the shirt I had borrowed, that faint mix of cologne, skin, and the expensive detergent he used. I lifted it to my nose and inhaled before shoving it into my locker.
I turned toward the mirror to fix my shirt and jumped. Gina was standing behind me, arms crossed, a wicked grin on her face.
"What’s up, buttercup?" She popped her gum with a snap. "Checking if you’re Snuggle fresh? Let me guess." She tilted her head. "Boyfriend’s shirt?"
I hesitated a beat too long.
"Called it."
I rolled my eyes again, but the blush hadn’t gone anywhere. "You’re insufferable."
"I’m observant," she corrected, smirking as she leaned against the locker next to mine. "So, how serious are we talking here? Matching tattoos? Secret wedding in the Maldives?"
I snorted. I grabbed my headphones and started toward the stairs.
She side-stepped to block me. "Oh no, you don’t. You’re in deep, I can smell it, literally."
"It’s new and weird. And a little terrifying."
Gina popped her gum again. "Asher is going to be disappointed he doesn’t have a chance."
