Page 119 of Cast to be Mine

“Mushrooms,” she continued. “And green onions. Maybe some fresh herbs if they have them.”

“You’re making quite the feast.”

She grinned. “I haven’t eaten properly in weeks. And I’m guessing you haven’t either.”

I placed the order and set my phone on the counter. Thirty minutes until delivery. Grace was already poking through my cabinets, taking inventory of what I did have.

“You’ve got a nice kitchen,” she said, running her hand along the granite countertop. “It’s a shame you don’t use it.”

“I use it. Sometimes.”

She laughed. I leaned against the counter and watched her explore, opening drawers and examining my collection of pots and pans that had barely seen any action.

“These are nice,” she said, holding up a copper-bottomed skillet. “Professional grade. You really don’t cook?”

“My mother insisted I have a properly equipped kitchen.”

My phone buzzed, breaking the spell. The delivery driver was five minutes out.

“That was fast,” Grace said.

“I pay extra for priority.”

I met the driver at the door and brought the bags back to the kitchen, where Grace had already laid out cutting boards and bowls. I sat back with my coffee and watched her work.

I decided in that moment that there would be many more mornings like this. And nights.

39

GRACE

The month that followed was a whirlwind. Press interviews, photo shoots, promotional events—all the standard stuff that came with a major studio release. But this time, everything was different. This time, I had Micah by my side.

We didn’t hide anymore. We answered questions about our relationship with honesty but we gave nothing away. It was still our private life. We weren’t going to divulge all the dirty details. If I’d learned anything about this business, it was Hollywood romances were extremely hard and made harder if you let the public in too much.

Some people were supportive. Others were skeptical. The tabloids continued to speculate about whether I’d actually earned my role or slept my way into it.

That wasn’t my problem. We knew what we had. We knew we loved each other and that’s all that mattered.

I found myself standing in front of my bathroom mirror on a Saturday evening, trying to decide if my outfit was right. It was the first time I’d be meeting his family.

My bedroom looked like my closet exploded. I tried on just about everything I had. I knew I was overthinking it, but it was one of the most important meetings of my life.

I loved Micah. I knew the family feud was an issue. I would be walking into the dinner at his parents’ house already tainted with my father’s name.

I ended up putting on the blue dress that reminded me of something the Princess of Wales would wear. That worked for me.

Micah arrived right on time.

“You look beautiful,” Micah said.

“Too much?” I asked. “Not enough.”

“You’re stunning.”

“I’m meeting your father,” I said. “Max Blackwell.”

“I’m aware of who he is.”