Page 17 of Unrequited (Unrequited 1)

“Look, I really am so flattered you asked me to come audition—” Maeve started.

“Don’t go. Yael will literally murder me if I have to tell her what went down here today. You don’t want my death on your conscience, do you?” Mo batted his eyes at her.

Her lips twitched. She’d been trying to tamp it down, with no luck.

“You know I’m tellin’ her what happened, whether I leave right now or five minutes from now,” Maeve said.

Mo nodded, hanging his head. “I know. But if I convince you to join us, she’ll probably only maim me.”

She sighed, parting her pink lips. “I have questions.”

“Ask them,” Murray said.

“Well, first, I want to say somethin’ I think needs to be said and then conveyed to the jackhole back in that room.” She made a circular motion in front of herself with her hand. “My body...it’s never gonna be up for discussion—full stop. I can’t control what the press and your fans have to say, just like I know they’d feel entitled to comment on my looks if I was a toothpick. That comes with bein’ a woman. But I need to know I’m safe with the three of you. If you agree with even one word Clark said, let’s all walk away right now while we’re still friends.”

“I’d never,” Murray said. “I might do a double take a time or two ’cause you’re pretty and I can’t help where my eyeballs wander, but I’d never overstep your boundaries, and I’d definitely never talk shit about you. You’re my friend.”

She laughed. “I’ve heard you trash talk every single person here, plus Yael.”

He gave her a merry grin. “They deserved it.”

Mo patted her shoulder, looking her square in the eyes. “I’m not that guy. You’ve got my respect and my word.”

“Thank you, Mo. I know that, but sometimes I start feelin’ a little fragile and need a reminder.”

“You’re safe,” I murmured, wondering what the hell I was agreeing to. I’d been steadfast in my conviction Maeve didn’t belong in Unrequited, yet here I was trying to convince her not to walk away.

Her eyebrow pulled up. “You sure, Santi? You don’t sound too sure.”

I’ve never been less sure.

“Mo and Murray want you. Doesn’t matter what I think at this point, does it?”

Her teeth dug into her plump lip, but nothing could hold back the smile curling the corners of her mouth. “No, I suppose you’re right. I think I’ll stay.”

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