“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked as he put his hand on my lower back to lead me in the direction of the exit. I was still staring at my phone, dumbfounded.
“Nothing. Just a cryptic message from Pete.”
His face transformed into a hard glare. “He’s still messaging you.”
“Yeah. But it’s fine. He’s harmless.”Just way more insecure than I thought.
Charlie was quiet the rest of the walk. I started replaying our conversation, worried he was suffering from post-overshare regret.
Back on set, the director, Sally approached us.
“Have a second to chat?” she asked. Her smooth features gave nothing away. At her side, the assistant flicked looks between Charlie and me.
Charlie grunted with what I thought was a yes.
I ducked my head and made to leave.
“You too, Miss Dubois,” she added.
I stopped in my retreat and turned to Charlie; surprise written all over my face.
“Of course,” I said.
My heart began to race right along with my mind. I jumped to the worst conclusions. I was going to be asked to leave. I’d said or done something wrong. They hated the interview.
The director turned and headed for a back hallway, and I moved to follow her. As I passed Charlie, he briefly touched my arm. I stilled as he lowered his head to my ear.
“Don’t worry,” he said, his warm breath tickling my neck.
I swallowed and nodded. Whatever came next, at least he was here.
And it was strange to find that thought so reassuring.
24
Charlie
Kateand I were led to a back office. Sally excused her assistant before closing the door after us.
I had assured Kate that everything would be okay, but I had no idea if that was true. If the director wanted to yell at me for starting lunch thirty minutes before schedule, she wouldn’t need Kate here for that.
Sally leaned against a desk covered in paperwork. She nodded to the two chairs. Kate sat, but I stood behind her, hands resting just behind her neck on the chair. It would be so easy to lift my pointer finger and graze it along the column of her neck.
“And how was lunch?” Sally asked.
“Good,” Kate answered brightly.
I looked up to see Sally watching me closely. “I take it neither of you have been online.”
“Christ,” I swore, already taking out my phone.
“It’s okay,” Sally said. “Nothing we can’t handle.”
“What’s wrong?” Kate asked, eyes wide, looking between the two of us.
“It’s nothing bad,” Sally assured. “Some photos of you two on set have been leaked.”
“And now from lunch,” I added as I scanned posts trending with my name. “Shite. I didn’t even see them. They’re getting sneakier.”
