“I’m producing my musical on my own. Why should I care what this guy thinks?”
“For one thing, it’s additional validation of your work.” Benita smoothed her right eyebrow. She was becoming impatient. “A lot of people would be flattered.”
“I know what you’re doing.” Vaughn pinned her with a cold gaze. “It’s not going to work.”
“Vaughn, I—”
“You thought I’d be so impressed and flattered by this L.A. hotshot’s approval that I’d change my mind about leaving Trinity Falls, didn’t you?” His voice shook with temper.
“I didn’t send your play to an L.A. producer to convince you to move.” Why is he so angry?
“You’re lying.” Vaughn swept his hand in the air as he paced to his bay window on the other side of the room.
Benita stiffened. That was uncalled for. “No, I’m not.”
“This is what you’ve been planning all along. How could I not have seen it?” He paced away from his window and started toward his fireplace. “You wanted to help me with Mystic Park as part of your plan to convince me to move to Los Angeles with you.”
“I did consider that at first.” Benita crossed her arms and legs, uncomfortable with the truth of his accusation. “But I don’t feel that way now.”
“You hounded me to send my proposal to a producer once you found out I’d completed the musical.”
“Only because your talent deserves a broader audience.” Stubborn man.
“And when I wouldn’t send it out, you offered to do it for me.”
“Because it’s a great script and a wonderful score.”
“I told you not to send it, but you went behind my back and did it anyway.”
“Vaughn, I’m proud of what you’ve done and I admire your talent. I may have started out to—”
“I can’t believe your audacity.” Vaughn dragged a hand over his clean-shaven head. “Don’t you think I’m qualified to make my own decisions?”
“Of course I do.” Benita wanted to stand, but she didn’t believe her shaky legs would support her.
“Then why did you disregard my wishes?”
Benita spread her arms. “I wanted to help you.”
“For Pete’s sake. You wanted to help me?” Vaughn stared at her as though he’d never seen her before. “This is why we can’t be together.”
Benita gasped. His words were like knives in her heart. “How can you say that?”
“You think you know everything. No one else’s opinion matters. You’re the great Benita Hawkins and you know what’s best for everyone.”
Benita surged to her feet. Enough was enough. “I chose that L.A. producer because I knew he’d be interested in your story and open to a musical. So that was calculated on my part.”
“It’s always about you—”
“Listen to me!” Benita set her hands on her hips. “Initially, I did hope this producer’s interest would convince you that you had greater opportunities in L.A. But the fact of the matter is, Vaughn, you don’t have to live in L.A. for your musical to be performed there. But Mystic Park deserves to be seen in other markets: New York, L.A., San Francisco, Chicago, Kalamazoo.”
“Whether Mystic Park is seen in other venues is my decision, not yours.” Vaughn stopped pacing to glare at her. “And I’ve finally realized I can’t be with someone who’s constantly making decisions for me.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry I overstepped my boundaries.” As Benita collected her purse all thoughts of Doreen’s house—now her house—had flown from her head. She hurried toward the door before the tears fell. “I’ll tell the producer you’re not interested.”
Benita let herself out of Vaughn’s apartment and jogged to her car parked in front of his garage. If she hadn’t believed their relationship was done before, she believed it now. He’d been so angry. She hadn’t thought he’d be that angry.
She deactivated her car alarm, which unlocked her doors. With shaking hands, she let herself into her Acura and collapsed behind the steering wheel. She’d wanted to help him. Instead her actions had pushed him away for good. Their relationship was over, forever over. How ironic, now that she’d finally moved back to Trinity Falls.