Emotion bubbles inside me.
Anger, disappointment, insecurity, bitterness.
I flip my hair over my shoulder, straightening my stance. “Actually, I’d love to stick around for as long as possible. Lex and I are happy. This city is full of opportunity.”
“Right.” She says it softly, like she’s considering it. “Lexington has mentioned your talent. Back in high school. In your little stage play.”
“It was more—”
“That doesn’t make you a real actress, Stevie. I apologize for my frankness, but that’s the truth. High school musicals don’t compare to this life…tothisstage.” She lifts a hand, gesturing at the high-end restaurant, the people in suits and glamorous dresses, the ocean shimmering blue and green just beyond the glass. “The roles we’re born into are the ones meant for us. Some people are destined for the spotlight, and others…well, they just stumble into an audition and hope no one notices they don’t belong.”
She sees me cracking.
Crumbling under the pressure, beneath the weight of her words.
Veronica reaches across the table and takes my hand, her fingers ice cold. Her smile is so bright, so practiced, it almost makes me question her motives. “Stevie…I see that this hurts you. It’s all over your face.”
My bottom lip trembles.
I glance over at Lex, but he’s still staring, his eyes fogged over, attention on the window.
“If you want to prove yourself, you need to show you’re capable.” Her thumb dusts across my knuckles, her smile telling everyone around us that she’s a doting, motherly figure. Kind and nurturing. “Never let them see what you’re really feeling.”
She pulls away when a spread of colorful and elaborate sushi is placed in front of us.
I reach for a piece with my chopsticks.
I force it down, just as I force down her cruel words and veiled brutality. I don’t even taste it. The acid in my throat is too potent, too thick. Everything tastes the same.
Like ashes.
The conversation pivots to Lex’s career—interviews, podcasts, promotional shoots—but he’s still a brick wall, only adding noncommittal commentary when it’s required.
Defending my honor was not required.
As dinner presses on, Veronica looks up at me with a smile. “You know, I do think this little facade has been effective. This…relationship.” She takes a sip of wine. “I always try to see the bright side of things, and you’ve certainly boosted your names in the press. Smart.”
I watch as I drown a piece of sushi roll in soy sauce, wishing it were Veronica. “Yeah,” I murmur.
“I also don’t blame Lexington for wanting to do something nice for you in the wake of everything that happened back in Illinois.”
My eyes slowly lift, tiny needles dancing down my spine. “What do you mean?”
“The accident, of course. It was a terrible thing. But allowing you to ride his coattails for a bit has been a gesture of good faith, ensuring you’ll stick to the story you gave at the time of the incident.” Her eyes lose a bit of their sparkle, narrowing a fraction. “I’m certain we see eye to eye on that.”
Riding his coattails.
A gesture of good faith.
Is she threatening me?
I twist toward Lex, certain he’ll say something this time. But I’m met with deadened eyes, like he’s totally gone, removed from the conversation entirely. I wonder if he’s even heard a word she’s said.
But I have.
And I’m done listening.
Reaching for Lex’s thigh, I dig my fingernails into his pantleg. “I think I’m ready to go.”
