Page 41 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

Stone returned. “Well, they want you. Katie and Kevin weren’t kidding.”

“Lots of attention, eh?”

“Yep.” Stone rested his hands on his hips. “Arthur left a nastygram voicemail. He said I had this coming. He might be right.”

“No, you don’t have this coming.” He continued to hold Champ. “I’m taking care of it.”

“I know you will.” Stone grinned. “And you’re being honest.”

“So are you.” He threaded his free arm around Stone and cradled the cat between them. “I know what I want and it’s here. I’ll do the movie, but I need a break. Maybe a really long break. I love the spotlight, but love you more.”

“I hope you mean what you say when all is said and done.”

Liam kept his arm around Stone. “We have tonight. We make the most of it and tomorrow, I’ll talk to the media.” Wasn’t Pat being paid to deal with this shit? He tucked his hand into Stone’s back pocket. “I’m serious. I’m happy. I don’t have a ton of money, but I’m very okay with volunteering at the shelter. Maye I’ll write a book about the shelter. Could make the place some money.”

Stone sighed. “You’re determined to wear me down, aren’t you?”

“I said I’m determined.” He wasn’t letting go. He’d dropped the L-word a few times and if Stone didn’t understand how he felt by now…

“Let me lock up and we’ll crash.” Stone kissed him. “You said you were determined and I never doubted you.”

“See? I don’t lie.” He let go. “Be careful.” Once Stone was out of earshot, he grabbed his phone and called Patricia.

“Hi. How’s prepping?” she asked.

“Shitty.” He hated to be curt, but damn it, the intrusion sucked and it wasn’t even bad yet.

“Liam. What’s wrong? Did your guy dump you?”

“No.”

“Then what? Do I need to send you a new script? You’re so good at wrecking them with food and spilling stuff on them.”

“No.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. He’d messed up one script and left another too close to the tub one time. “Christ, Pat. The media found me.”

“I told you they would. Why are you surprised?”

“I’m angry.”

“Oh? Why?”

“I’m paying you to handle this stuff, aren’t I? You should be handling it.”Christ.He shouldn’t have to argue this with her.

“I said I’d handle the studio. They’re irritated you’re deciding to come out. It makes the rom-com seem like a bad idea.”

“Because they think I can’t play straight?” he snapped. “Jesus Christ. I’ve been playing straight all this God damn time. If that’s not a hell of a performance, then I don’t know what is.”

“Liam.”

“You know me. Love is love. I don’t love anyone else.”

“Love is love for you and I’m sure you love someone—you. For the studio, it’s tricky,” Patricia said.

“How? The publicity will be great. It’ll bring attention to the film and could get the movie more eyeballs. People want to root for other people rising up. What if this whole situation encourages someone to come out? Or the studio to start making LGBTQ films? Then it’ll all be worth it.”

“I doubt they’ll do that.”

He couldn’t take any more. If she wasn’t going to work with him and for him, then he wasn’t going to keep her on. “I’m prepping a statement. I’ll figure out a way to arrange it.” He could. Between him and Stone, they’d have a plan. Stone had to know someone who could help. Social media would be a great platform, too. It would all work out.

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