Page 86 of Give Me a Reason

Frederick glanced at Anne, and his stomach sank. She seemed flustered but not displeased to see the other man. Was she relieved by the interruption because she knew what Frederick had been working up to tell her? Or was she just glad to see the breadstick guy? Neither possibility appealed to him.

“Anne?” Frederick arched an eyebrow at her.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Anne fluttered her hands. “Let me introduce you—”

“I think we remember each other,” Andrew interjected smoothly.

“I think you should stop interrupting her,” Frederick gritted out. “But yes, I do remember you.”

“Well, you haven’t met officially. Frederick, this is Andrew Cha.” Anne looked between the two men with a chagrined expression. “He’s the director of thePride and Prejudiceadaptation.”

“The one you’re starring in?” Frederick drew back in surprise. He’d heard of the hotshot director and even enjoyed some of his recent films. He felt betrayed by his past self.

“Yes, the very one,” Andrew answered, even though the question was directed at Anne, and shifted to stand much too close toher. “I am beyond thrilled to be working with such a captivating and talented actress.”

Frederick curled his hands into fists, fighting the urge to pull her to his side, then watched incredulously as a blush stole into Anne’s cheeks. How could she not see that Andrew Cha was an asshole? He refused to entertain the possibility that he might be blinded by jealousy.

“And, Andrew, this is Frederick Nam.” Anne continued with the introductions. “My… friend.”

Frederick flinched, even though he had been the one to insist they be friends. When the other man stuck out his hand, he reluctantly accepted it after a stony second. Seemingly oblivious to the tension emanating off Frederick, Andrew Cha shook his hand enthusiastically. He didn’t seem the least bit threatened by Frederick, his posture loose and relaxed. Maybe the hotshot director didn’t see him as competition.

“It’s nice to meet you.” The man flashed a toothpaste commercial smile.

“Likewise,” Frederick lied stiffly.

“It’s a good thing I took your advice about not holding my breath.” Andrew spoke to Anne in a low, intimate voice, and Frederick’s jaw clenched hard enough to crack his molars. “But maybe I should warn you that Iwillbe holding my breath from this point forward. It must mean something for us to keep running into each other, don’t you think?”

“It’s a small world, for sure,” Anne said with an indulgent half smile.

They didn’t seem to be talking about something film related, and Frederick nearly roared with frustration. He had no claims on Anne to react this way—and that was no one’s fault but his—but fuck it all, he wanted to bodily shove the man away from her. She washis.

“Where did you guys go?” Pete walked up to them with his wife tucked into his side. “We thought we lost you.”

“Sorry, guys.” Anne cringed. “We ran into someone I know. This is Andrew Cha, the director of my upcoming film.”

“How funny that you two ran into each other like this.” Katie glanced between Anne and the director. “Hello, Andrew. I’m Katie, and this is my husband, Pete. We’re Anne and Frederick’s friends.”

“Delighted to meet you both,” Andrew said with another charming grin. Frederick wanted to punch him in the mouth. “We might actually have passed each other in Bosque Verde last month.”

“No way.” Pete chuckled, not picking up on Frederick’s barely contained antagonism.

“What brings you to Culver City, Andrew?” Katie asked with a suspicious squint.Good.At leastshenoticed something was off with the guy. Or she might be going into Mama Bear mode because of Frederick. She couldn’t have missed his lovesick glances at Anne all through lunch.

“Oh, something tedious involving a roomful of people in expensive suits.” Andrew tugged his tie loose with a rueful smile. His suit fit him like a fucking glove. It was obviously tailor-made and expensive. “At least I got some good news out of it.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Anne said kindly.She is kind to everyone, Frederick reminded himself.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Andrew rocked back on his heels, his gaze lingering on Anne.

Frederick unclenched his teeth long enough to snap, “We came out to celebrate Anne’s new role.”

“That’s fantastic.” Andrew seemed to miss Frederick’s hint that he was very much interrupting their celebration. “Where were you guys headed?”

“Well, we just finished lunch,” Pete offered ever so helpfully.

Frederick glared at him, and his friend squinted, thoroughly perplexed. He mouthed,What?When Frederick looked away with a frustrated huff, Pete continued hesitantly, “My wife and I were actually… going to head home?”

Goddammit.Pete failed spectacularly at reading Frederick’s expression. His best friend could see right through himexceptat this crucial moment?

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