Page 121 of Out of the Gold

“So soon?”

Nothing’s keeping me here and being around my parents isn’t appealing. They’re too much in love. I need the anonymity of the City. “Yeah. I have to hire a couple of new designers and since I’ve never done that before, it might take me a while.”

“I understand.”

My dad enters the room. “Princess,” he begins, but I raise my hand.

“I can’t right now.”

He looks at my mother and addresses me. “All right. Your room is ready for you.” Translation—all Chase’s shit is gone.

“I’d like to sleep in the guest room, if you don’t mind.”

“That’s fine, honey,” Mom says.

Leaving my untouched hot chocolate on the table, I stand. “I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning before I head out to the airport.”

I don’t wait for them to respond but trudge up the stairs to my bedroom. Making quick work of selecting my clothes for tomorrow as well as a nightshirt for tonight and toiletries, I leave the room I had shared with Chase and head down the hall. In minutes, I’m staring at the guest room’s ceiling, knowing sleep won’t come.

I refuse to shed a single tear for that man.Movie star.Instead, I replay our entire relationship, finding numerous times he could’ve told me about the audition. It’s clear he set his sights on me once he realized who I was, and what a connection to me could do for his career. Before I had to sew him into that damn costume, he didn’t speak more than ten words to me. He was just another arrogant actor.

But then I was assigned to spend hours a day with him.

I bet he had Thomas research me. I can only imagine his elation when he realized I was his “in” to Braxton Hunte. A small voice reminds me he knew who I was from growing up here. I shake my head. No. Chase is a cool customer. I remember the way he peppered me for information about my family life, obviously trying to gather more details he could use for himself. He probably passed the intel along to Sam, who used it to his advantage.

I turn over and smack my pillow. He fed me all that bullshit about being a talent, and how he saw me as separate and apart from other costume designers. And I fell for it like a thread to a needle. Bet he laughed with Mark about how gullible I was.

He succeeded where Grant could not. I actuallysleptwith the bastard. How he lowered himself to have sex with plain old me pushes the imagination. I remember our conversation when I confessed I felt outclassed by the women he’s been with, and he lied to me by saying I was beautiful and different. Yeah, I was different. Stupid and naïve. An easy mark.

I flip over. He used me worse than anyone else ever has in my life. He pursued me, got inside my head and heart and body, then was rewarded with the role he always wanted. All that crap about wanting to perform on Broadway! Have to hand it to Chase, he really is a method actor.

One thing is certain. I will never again lower my shields and let someone else into my life. No one is to be trusted. Except Sophia. She’s the exception who proves the rule. I will create an efficient department at HBO, but not get too attached to anyone. I have a friend circle so I can get out, but there’s no reason to encourage any one-on-one time with them, especially the men. Groups are fine. I can disappear into them. Never again will anyone get so close to me.

I toss and turn all night, haunted by Chase’s betrayal.

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