He shook his head, his fist clenching tightly. “Out of all the people in the world, I don’t understand why she can’t move past you.”
“It’s none of your business, so don’t bother trying to understand,” I replied. “Austin will give you a key so that you can bring her things in—that is, when she talks to you, of course,” I said, taking a seat on the couch and reaching for the new script already waiting for me.
He didn’t say another word but simply slammed the door behind him.
Austin handed me a bottle of water and my pill bottle, but I refused the pills, taking only the water.
“Oliver has been her manager since she was child, Noah. Maybe getting on the wrong side of him isn’t the best way to start off your relationship,” he said.
“Even if I got on my knees and kissed his shoes, that man would still hate me. I don’t blame him. It’s better he understands how serious I am now. Hopefully, in time, he’ll loosen up,” I said. I doubted it, though. I’d seen more than my fair share of possessive managers over the years, and Oliver was no different. To him, Amelia wasn’t just his actress. In his eyes, she’s like his family. His whole life revolved around her, and she listened to him. He wouldn’t like anyone messing up the system he had built with her, let alone me. I really hoped he would get over it, because Amelia did need his help.
“What did you tell the director yesterday?” I asked, flipping the page.
“That a close friend passed away. But I doubt he believed me since I didn’t tell him until three hours after call time. Oliver went with it. They want to redo a few general scenes today, and I believe they may have added some. How did the first sex scene go? Everyone was tight-lipped about it yesterday.”
“Fine,” I replied, focused on the lines in front of me. “These new scenes—they’re more personal. Are they going to be used as flashbacks?”
“Yeah, I believe so.”
Sighing, I closed the script and leaned against the chair. I wanted to go for a smoke, and I don’t know what was stopping me.
“So are you and Amelia just picking up from where you left off ten years ago?” Austin asked, sitting across from me.
“Not possible,” I replied. Those two kids were vastly different from who we are now. “She’s mine. I’m hers. It’s that simple. Truthfully, that’s how it’s always been. Neither of us are fighting anymore.”
It was us against the world now. Picking up the breakfast menu beside me, I was determined to choose whatever would take the least amount of time.
“Well, I’ll be back when you’re both ready,” Austin said, rising.
I waited until he opened the door to leave before calling out to him again. “Austin.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.” I didn’t need to go further than that, because I’m sure he understood. Amelia was only here because he pointed her in my direction when I was afraid to.
“No thanks are needed. My job is to get you
what you want,” he replied, closing the door gently behind him.
I didn’t just want Amelia—I needed her.
Leaning over, I reached for my cigarettes.
“What did I say about women not wanting to kiss ashtrays?”
I turned back to see that she stood in the doorway of the bedroom. The only thing separating her body from my gaze was a fluffy robe. Her long brown hair, now completely wet, stuck to her neck and shoulders.
“You do realize that if I can’t smoke I’m going to need to relax some other way, right?” I asked, getting up from the couch.
“You’re a very smart man, Mr. Sloan. I’m sure we can think of alternatives.”
“Found one,” I said, tugging on the rope keeping her robe closed before sliding the rest of it off her shoulders and watching as it fell to a pool around her feet.
“Ah…” her lips parted when I cupped her breasts, allowing my thumbs to rub her nipples.
Just as I was about to kiss her, there was knock at the door.
I sighed. “That’s most likely Oliver. I told him to bring over all of your things.”