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I stepped over to Maddy. As I gave her a hug goodbye, I whispered a sweet thank you in her ear. She pursed her lips, blushed and nodded. Then she jumped in her car to drive north across the border to Vancouver, where she filmed her show. The small, sexy smile Lewis threw me as I left for the airport in an SUV with Sutton, quickened the flutter in my heartbeat. I was already counting down the days until the band’s promo tour ended so Lewis and I could find out if this fire between us had any longevity.

The anticipation of seeing him again helped me through the next two weeks. So did his texts and pictures.

On the afternoon the guys were supposed to come home from their promotional tour, I couldn’t sit still. As I lounged in a director’s chair behind the cameras at work, I flicked through my script, unable to concentrate on the words. Today’s scenes were taking too long. While Peyton and Mia ran through their takes, Sutton and I glanced at our watches every few minutes. The day couldn’t end soon enough.

“Two weeks apart is too long.” Sutton scanned her cell phone, checking out the latest social media post from the guys’ performance in New York last night. I’d already done that.

“How are you going to survive being away from Flint when he’s on tour?” I rested my sore leg up onto a stool in front of me.

“They’ve planned the dates so Flint and I can catch up at least once a month.”

“That’s cool.” Hmm. That would work for Lewis and me too. If we made it that far. “So after he gets home tonight and you catch up, do you have plans for the weekend?”

“Yeah. We’re going to a spa resort in Palm Springs. I don’t know what the other guys are doing. Do you?”

“Cole won’t stop going out, bringing chicks home, drumming or running every morning. I’m not sure about Slip and Lewis.”

“You sure about that?” She raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “You’re always texting Lewis.”

Shit. She’s noticed. I gave her a causal shrug. “It’s just friendly catch-up talk.”

“But you light up at every message. Smile. Your cheeks flush.”

I hugged my script to my chest. “He’s fun to chat with. That’s all.”

Concern darkened Sutton’s deep blue eyes. “Are you wanting more? Hoping he will change for you?”

He had. But that didn’t eliminate my doubts that he’d wake up one day and realize I wasn’t what he wanted, and he truly was gay. I’d come off second best before. “We’re just friends.” With benefits. And more chemistry than a science lab.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“You have nothing to worry about.” It was sweet that she cared, but I could look after myself. I knew what I’d gotten into.

“But I do. You’re full of laughs and fun when we hang out with the guys and the crew, but here on set you’re different. Your spark fades. It’s there but just not as bright.” She reached over and placed her hand on my forearm. “Is everything okay? Is there anything I can do to help?”

Sutton loved everything about our show. Her character. The storyline. The fashion. But me? I couldn’t find my groove. I must have been a decent actress because no one else seemed to have suspected anything.

“Sutt, I love you. Trust me, everything is fine.” I hated lying, but she didn’t need to know that I was exploring my options. Over the past couple of weeks, I’d been out several times. I’d had dinner with my agent and asked Jack to look for new roles—he’d been shocked out of his wits but had respected my wishes. He made too much money off me to question my decision. I’d caught up with Duke and Chloe at two of their gigs. Helping Chloe on sound had provided some fun and much-needed distraction from counting down the hours and days until Lewis got home. I’d even researched going back to school, exploring my options in TV and film, but nothing had caught my eye.

“I know you’re not fine.” She clutched my hand, all gentle and caring. “But I’m here if you need me. You can tell me anything.”

“Thank you. You’re cool. I can see why Flint loves you.”

“Thanks. He’s my one.” She blushed, then groaned, slumping in her chair. “But boy, I wish this day would hurry up and end. I want to go home and be there when Flint arrives.”

I couldn’t argue with that. I wanted to see Lewis...be with him. How could I do that without Cole finding out? It would be a challenge—but a challenge I was up for.

Filming wrapped at six p.m. Sutton and I rushed to hug the other girls good bye, farewelled the crew, and took off. She sped out of the studio’s parking lot in her Mercedes like a police car in pursuit of a criminal, but my driver wouldn’t rush, going all Driving Miss Daisy on me. I couldn’t wait until I could get behind the wheel again. But my leg showed no signs of getting better. Regular physical therapy every Thursday morning only ever provided temporary relief. The pain always returned within hours.

Would being permanently injured turn off Lewis? He loved getting out with the guys. Snowboarding. Having adventures. I’d never want someone to stop doing something they loved because I couldn’t. I never wanted to hold anyone back. Ergh! I didn’t want to think about that now.

My driver pulled into the driveway at home. My stomach sank at the sight of another town car parked in front of the house. The chauffeur stood waiting, leaning against the hood and vaping.

Who was here?

Did we have visitors for dinner?

I hobbled through the front door, past Cole’s bag laying at the bottom of the staircase, and into the living room. Cole and Lewis jumped up from the sofa and rushed to greet me. No one else was in the room.