“His heart’s in the right place, even though he’s making a huge mistake doing that movie. He has good reasons to believe it’s the right thing to do.”
Holly rubbed her forehead. “I’m not sure I understand.” How was breaking up with her for a movie role having his heart in the right place? Technically, she’d broken up with him although he hadn’t given her much of a choice.
“He shouldn’t be taking this role. If I knew the conditions, I would never have lined it up for him. Working with family is never a good idea.” She shook her head. “That’s not the issue. The problem is he’s taking it and throwing away everything that’s important.”
“His workisimportant to him.” Why was Holly sticking up for him?
“Yes, it is. He’s a hard worker. I’m not sure if he’s told you much about our childhood.”
“He mentioned your family struggled after your father died.”
Sadness flickered across Chloe’s face. “We did and he insisted it was up to him to provide for us. Working jobs after school and on weekends to help even though he was exhausted. Mum hated what he was doing, even tried to get him to quit. He wouldn’t listen. God, he was stubborn and still is. Even now when we can all manage on our own, he won’t do anything to risk his livelihood in case we might need his money one day. This movie will do well for him. I have no doubt. But it’s not for him, not when he’s making a huge sacrifice.” She pointed at Holly. “You.”
“My break’s over.” She couldn’t take another moment talking about Ethan. He wanted the job more than he wanted her. End of discussion. Chloe was wrong.
“I have a better role, if he’d realise we don’t need him to look after us anymore,” Chloe quickly said before Holly could get up and leave. “All he needs to do is fund the film, but he’s too scared to take the risk to back it. If the movie flops, he’ll lose millions.”
“Why are you here telling me all this?” Holly was beginning to see that this was more than an update to let her know how miserable Ethan was.
“I’ve never seen my brother so torn up. Convince him to fund the movie I have for him. He’ll listen to you.”
Holly frowned. “Why would I do that? He’s taking the movie that won’t lose him any money.”
“He loses you. I know my brother and … and he loves you, Holly.”
For a few seconds, Holly’s heart stopped beating before it skipped back into overdrive. She opened and closed her mouth to say something, but she couldn’t form any words.He loved her?She couldn’t believe it or she’d collapse into a blubbering mess.
“He needs to stop trying to take care of us and do what’s best for him. If anyone can get him to change his mind, it’s you.”
“I can’t do that.” Her voice shook a little.
“Why not?”
“I can’t tell him how he should live his life.” Her family had done it to her and she resented them for it. She’d hate that maybe one day he’d resent her too for encouraging him to make different choices.
“Even if it’s wrong? Giving you up for this role is tearing him apart.”
It broke her too, but he’d made his choice. “I’m sorry, Chloe, I can’t do it. My break’s over, I have to get back to work.” She rose, collected their cups and turned to leave.
“Holly?” She paused and looked back at Chloe. “For what it’s worth, I think my brother’s making a huge mistake. He may have the movie he’s always wanted, but he’s paid more than money to get it.”
Holly tried to smile, it wobbled on her face. Then she raced behind the counter, the cups clanging in their saucers because of her shaking hands.
* * *
It was the final day of shooting. Usually this excited Ethan. It was time to celebrate a job well done with cast and crew and anticipate the success for the film. Ethan often knew when a movie would be a hit or not and this action packed one hadhitwritten all over it. Celebrating was the last thing he wanted to do because something was missing—no, someone…Holly.
Every morning when he drove to work, he took the route past Holly’s new apartment in the hope of a glimpse of her. Even though it made him feel like a stalker, he needed to see her. God, he’d missed her. The way she smiled. Her laugh. How happy she’d get when catering had blueberry muffins. The way she’d catch her breath when he kissed her neck. He picked up the phone a dozen times a day to call or text only to stop himself. What could he say? Please change your mind and be my secret lover? No, he couldn’t. She had too much pride and that’s one more thing he loved about her. She didn’t put up with anyone’s crap. Not having her around was something he’d have to get used to. It was probably for the best. His life was complicated and his work would always come first. Holly deserved better than him.
His mother was waiting for him in the makeup room.
She frowned when he sat in the chair. “You still look like crap,” she said.
Jacinta and the actor she worked on, smothered a laugh.
“Gee thanks, nice to see you too.”
“Come with me.” She walked out of the room not once turning to see if he followed because she knew when she told him to do something, he did it no matter how old he was.
