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“She said yes?” I ask.

Nova’s eyes narrow into a glare. Mia still doesn’t even look at me.

Huh.

I glance at Nova. “Wow. Didn’t think money worked that fast.”

The temperature in the room drops five degrees. Nova’s eyes flash as she shoots me a warning glare. “Jack.”

“What?” I shrug. “Everyone’s got their price. I’m just impressed hers came with a big, fat invoice.”

Nova practically lunges to apologize. “Mia, I’m so sorry. He doesn’t mean that.”

I’ve never seen Nova suck up to someone so hard. It’s apparent she believes that this is the best course of action. It’s the only reason I’m still standing here…

“Oh,” Mia says coolly, rising to her feet. “He meant it. Trust me, men like him always do.” She finally looks at me then—one sharp, crystal-clear glare—and something about it hits harder than I expect.

Without another word, she turns and heads for the door.

“Mia—” Nova starts. “Wait?—”

“Nova, I’ve had enough.” Mia’s voice is tight. “I’ll need a minute to myself before I can stay in the same room with him.”

Nova rises to her feet. “I’ll see you at the hotel tomorrow. Is that okay?”

“Sure.” She smiles, and my breath catches in my throat. It’s the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. “See you tomorrow, Nova,” Mia says without looking back. The door shuts quietly behind her, but it feels like a slammed insult.

I flop into one of Nova’s stupid designer chairs. “Well, that went well.”

Nova glares at me like she wants to chuck her stapler at my forehead. “You just insulted the one person willing to help us clean up this mess.”

“She doesn’t want to help me,” I mutter. “She just wants the money.”

“Is that so bad?” Nova barks. “Everyone wants money! You want money!” Nova walks to the window and pats her hair. “You know what? I don’t care what she wants. She’s good at what she does. And this time, Jack, you don’t get to decide who stays or goes. Until we’re in the clear, you’re not going back on set. The producers are barely hanging on, and Frank Howard is already tightening the noose.”

I look up at her. “So you’re blackmailing me?”

“I’m keeping you employed.”

I stand. “I’m not playing house. I’m not looking for a wife or a girlfriend, Nova.”

She turns slowly. “Then pretend like you are. And maybe along the way, try to stop acting like the whole world owes you something.”

That stings.

More than I want it to.

I shove a hand through my hair and exhale loudly. “So now what?”

“Now,” she says, walking back to her desk, “you pack. You’re heading to Bardstown at the end of the week.”

“Where?”

“Bardstown. The charming town that Mia lives in.”

“Oh.” I flash her a saccharine smile. “You mean the ghost town where Mia lives.”

“You don’t know that for sure; you can’t tell.”