“Oh?” Andrew’s smile widened like a cat with a canary in his mouth. “Does that mean I can steal Anne away?”
Anne glanced at Frederick. “I don’t think—”
“Actually, the good news from the meeting pertains to our film,” the man said, interrupting Anne yet again. This time, a small frown flickered at her brows before she swiftly smoothed it out.
Frederick admired her professionalism, but if Andrew Cha spoke over her one more time, the man and his too-white teeth would become intimately acquainted with Frederick’s fist.
Anne glanced at Frederick, then back at the director, curious about the news but too conscientious to abandon her friends. All the fight drained out of Frederick. He couldn’t watch her twist herself into a knot when he could easily put her mind at ease.
“I should head back as well.” He pretended to check his phone.
“You should?” Was that disappointment he saw in her eyes? Had he read the situation all wrong?
“Yeah.” He forced himself to nod and gave her arm a lingering squeeze. “Will you be okay here?”
“I will personally make sure that Anne is well taken care of,” Andrew answered for her. Again. A muscle ticked in Frederick’s jaw, but he didn’t look away from Anne.
“Yes, of course.” She finally nodded, but her smile seemed forced.Damn it.What was going on? “I’ll be fine.”
“Congratulations once more.” Katie hugged Anne and shook her around a bit.
Anne hugged her back with equal enthusiasm. “Thank you, friend.”
“See you soon, Anne. You’re a rock star. Well, you’re actually a film star, but you know what I mean.” Pete draped an arm around his wife and gave Anne a cheesy wink, making her laugh. “And it was nice meeting you, Andrew.”
“Likewise.” The director bowed with a small tilt of his head.
Pete lowered his voice and said to Frederick, “Why do I get the feeling I failed you? Text me.”
Frederick watched his friends make their way to their car, then turned back to find Andrew sidling up even closer to Anne.What next?Was he going to climb onto her back? Frederick breathed in and out through his nose and determinedly ignored the other man.
“It was good seeing you, Anne. I have to… We need to talk,” Frederick said before he lost his nerve. He didn’t know what was going on between Andrew Cha and her, but he wasn’t ready to give up. “I’ll call you.”
“I’d like that.” She nodded quickly. “Very much.”
“You would?” He gaped at her.
Anne was just being kind, but Frederick couldn’t make himself say goodbye. He couldn’t walk away from her or even take his eyes off her. He opened his mouth to ask her to stay with him.
“Shall we?” Andrew held his arm out to Anne, drawing her attention. “I know a delightful coffee shop just around the corner.”
“Yes, of course.” After a brief hesitation, she linked her arm through the crook of the other man’s elbow. “We’ll talk soon, Frederick?”
“Yes,” he rasped. “Soon.”
“Have a good afternoon.” Andrew turned away without waiting for Frederick to respond. It was just as well because he couldn’t force himself to wish the same for him.
He watched her walk away with the director, his dark mood casting a shadow over the sunny day. The pompous ass had too much swagger for his own good, but Frederick couldn’t sense anything predatory about him. Andrew Cha’s interest in Anne seemed genuine, and if she were also interested in him—Frederick struggled to swallow—a relationship with an acclaimed director might be good for her.
Anne had more than enough talent to succeed on her own, but she might enjoy being with someone who understood the industry. And she was new to Hollywood, so Andrew Cha might be able to offer her some guidance to smooth the way for her. Being with the director might be the best path for Anne and her future. If that were true, what she and Frederick shared might be best left in the past.
His eyes followed her down the street, even as his heart cracked inside him. But when Anne glanced over her shoulder and caught his gaze, Frederick thought he saw his longing reflected in her eyes.Come home to me, Anne.For a moment, it seemed as though there might still be a chance for them. Then she turned the corner, and… she was gone.
THEN…
Dear Anne,
Sometimes I can’t get over how lucky I am to have you. I want to know what I did to deserve you. I rack my brain obsessively to figure out what I did sorightthat the cosmos sent you to me. I need to find out so I can keep doing it. I’m scared if I stop whatever it is I’m doing, I’ll lose you.
