Page 51 of Enemies Off Camera
“Think about everything you have to do today,” he says quietly, “and try to arrange the tasks in order—like one giant puzzle. Do it.”
There it is. That bossy tone. Evennow.
Why does it bother me so much?
I squeeze my eyes tighter, trying to dissolve the flare of irritation.
Okay. I need to eat breakfast.
Egg, toast, and coffee before the read—that’swhy this little exercise is so inconvenient.
I sigh sharply.
“Keep going,” he says calmly, like he knowsexactlywhat that sigh meant.
I roll my eyes—under my lids.
The table read, of course. I’m ready to show the cast and producers they were right to take a chance on me.
Later this afternoon, Jaxon and I are supposed to have dinner in Little Italy. A whole PR stunt.
Paparazzi are in town. Their job is to “catch” us looking cozy. We’re not supposed to see them.
Oh—and I have to call Kat before the table read, check if anything new popped up on my schedule or if any urgent calls came in.
That’s after I eat. Then table read. Then I’ll see.
“Four breaths in, six out,” Jaxon whispers.
And somehow, now that my day has a little order to it, those breaths come easier.
Not only that—but my anxiety is gone.
Instead, I feel…
What is this?
I’m not relaxed.
I’m not even invigorated.
I’m in control.
That’s it. I’m in control.
“Open your eyes,” he says.
And I do.
We’re staring at each other.
And—God—I’m smiling.
But he’s not.
He’s just staring, like he did before rushing out of the theater.
“Zara,” he finally whispers, voice thick.
