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As soon as Mia left, I shut myself in my bedroom, throwing myself onto the bed and hoping sleep would come. It didn’t, and it’s time for me to stop deceiving myself. I slip out of bed again, my body tired but my brain working overtime. I don’t like how much I’m thinking about Mia. Something is already wrong with this experiment, and I don’t know how to fix it.

I walk out of my bedroom and into the kitchen, rummaging through the fridge for a little snack to keep me busy while I watch a movie.

Brody’s voice breaks through the silence, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“You really want to be with someone ordinary?”

I turn to see him leaning against the kitchen counter with a smug grin on his face.

“What?” I grab a pack of nuts and shut the fridge.

“Earlier…” Brody shrugs a shoulder. “You told Mia you want someone ordinary. Is that true?”

I sigh, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “That was hours ago.” I pad into the living room. “Leave me alone, man.”

He doesn’t. Instead, he takes the opposite couch as I power on the TV. “You should trust Mia, she’ll find someone fitting,” he says casually.

I don’t know why, but the mention of her name causes a tightness in my chest. It’s not a bad feeling, not exactly. But it’s… new.

“I don’t care what she does. The final decision is up to me.”

“Nova wants you to have a long-term romance, right?” Brody continues, not letting up. “Not just some quick fling. She wants you to build something real, not just put on a show.”

I lean back against the couch, trying to hold my ground. “I know what she wants, but I’m not some puppet. I’ll do it my way.”

Brody raises an eyebrow, not convinced. “But if it’s long-term, shouldn’t it be with someone you can actually stand to spend time with? I mean, you’re not exactly the type to settle for someone who just wants your spotlight.”

“How are you so sure about that?”

“Because, to an extent, I know you, Jack,” he answers, more serious than I’ve ever seen him. “You don’t like selfish people.”

I freeze at that. Well, my mother is the reason I don’t like selfish people. She’s the first person to show me how selfishness can hurt.

Megan Hart. She’s the epitome of egocentrism. She left when I was barely ten, chasing after fame in Hollywood. Even now, she’s out there living her “life” while pretending we don’t exist. She’s never once called, never even bothered to check in.

And maybe that’s why I said what I said. I’ve spent my whole life avoiding people who wanted to use me. The last thing I want is to fall for someone who’s after my name or my status.

“Yeah,” I answer grudgingly. “If I do get into a long-term relationship, it’ll be with someone cool. Not selfish.”

Brody leans in closer as if sensing the change in my tone. “Are you saying you’ll actually settle for someone normal?” he teases, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

“Normal doesn’t mean boring,” I retort, straightening up. “It means someone who doesn’t want to use me for something. Someone who actually sees me. Not just the actor or the wealth, but me. Jack Calloway. For who I really am.”

Brody scoffs, but there’s no real bite to it. “Good luck with that. You’re basically asking Mia to find a unicorn.”

I don’t have a response to that. Instead, I turn to the TV, staring at the characters on the screen even though I’m not paying any attention. There’s something unsettling in my chest, like a fire that’s barely been ignited but still feels too hot to touch. I can’t get Mia’s gaze out of my head. Or how she looked in my shirt. I’ve seen women in different states of dress and undress, but nothing beats seeing Mia in my shirt. Nothing.

Somewhere in this time, Brody leaves and disappears into his room, leaving me alone. I watch TV for a few seconds until my phone buzzes on the counter. I glance at the screen—it’s Harry.

“What’s up?” I answer, trying to sound casual.

“Where are you?” Harry asks, no hello, just straight into it. “And what’s this I hear about you taking a break to focus on yourself? Is that what Nova wants? Really?”

I know he’s been talking to my dad. I didn’t tell him I’m here to find a real “fake” relationship, only that I was taking time off to focus and rest. I’ve been a source of worry to that man so much; there’s no need to bother with this.

I exhale sharply. “It’s not like that, Harry. I’m in Bardstown, trying to lay low for a while. And maybe find myself someone to date long-term.”

There’s a short pause on the other end, followed by a bark of laughter. “First of all, what the heck is Bardstown? Secondly, what do you mean you’re looking to date long-term?”