Page 81

I haven’t seen her in a week, and yet, here she is, alive on the canvas. I can’t stop staring at the piece. I can’t stop thinking about what this means.

I should be focused on the plan. On finding a woman I can connect with, a woman who can meet the expectations of the PR stunt. But instead, all I feel is this pull toward the woman I’ve been avoiding.

I take a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly as I stand in front of the painting. What am I doing?

After our weird dinner a week ago, I gave myself a great pep talk. Mia can never be mine. She doesn’t like me like that, andto be honest, there’s no reason why I should date her. She doesn’t understand my world. She doesn’t seem like she’s built to withstand the whirlwind that is my name and career. She’s better off here, in Bardstown. I can only be here for a short time, I’m more suited for the world.

I promised myself to pay more attention to my dates, and I started with Mirta. After our ice cream shop date, I drove her home, and every day since then, we text a bit. She’s very fun and conversational, with genuinely pretty eyes and a prettier face. There’s also Ashley; she texted me once, and since then, we’ve been going back and forth with texts. She seems like the type of woman who can maintain her cool in my world, and that’s the type of girl I should be looking for.

Not Mia. Never her.

My phone vibrates, and I turn toward the table to see Nova’s name flash across the screen. I wipe my stained hands on my apron and take the call, deliberately turning away from the painting.

“Hey, Nova,” I say, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“Hey, Jack!” she answers cheerfully. “How’s everything going with the dates?”

“Good.” I nod, even though she can’t see me. “Right now, I’ve been on three dates and talking to two of them, Ashley and Mirta. They’re nice girls.”

“Ashley is the event planner, right?” Her tone perks curiously. “The girl who studied business at NYU.”

“Yeah,” I laugh. “You’ve been keeping up, I see.”

She laughs with me. “Yeah, Mia sends me regular updates.”

My mood deflates instantly at the mention of her name. I try to push the thought of Mia out of my mind, but it lingers, like an unwanted shadow. I sigh, keeping my tone even.

“That’s… great,” I mutter, though I can’t help but feel a little deflated.

Nova doesn’t pick up on my shift in mood. “So, here’s why I called,” she continues, her voice bright. “You know how they say absence makes the heart grow fonder?”

I gasp playfully. “Oh, wow. Don’t say you’re missing me already!”

Nova scoffs. “You wish. I did my general health checkup two days ago, and my blood pressure test came back normal. It’s never been like that since I started managing you.”

“Oh, wow. So what then? Whose heart has grown fonder in my absence?”

“The fans. The directors. You haven’t been keeping up with the media?”

“Nah. I stay away. I spend my time painting.” I turn to the canvas again, taking in the image of Mia.

“Well, I’ve been getting loads of offers from directors and producers who want you on their projects,” she says. “But one stood out. It’s from Fitzgerald.”

“Fitzgerald?” I echo. Fitzgerald—Fitz to his friends—is one of the biggest directors and producers in the country. All his movies are hits. I’ve worked with him a few times, and we always make magic together.

“So why are you calling?” I huff. “If the pay is good, take the job.”

There’s a hesitant pause on her end, and that’s when I know something is wrong. Nova never hesitates where money is concerned. She’s always looking out for the best opportunities for me.

“You’ll be working alongside Megan Hart,” she finally says. “You’re both leads.”

My world stops. Standstill.

I forget to breathe, and by the time I remember, I suck in air and almost choke on it.

“Are you okay, Jack?”

“Yeah, let me call you back.” I hang up, leaning against the table, my eyes squeezed shut.