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Because in real life, movie stars who could have anyone they wanted don’t settle for nerdy guys in glasses.

7

CONNOR

Ifinished with the film two days early after begging the director to shoot my last three scenes back-to-back late Wednesday night so I could catch an early morning flight. At first Kathleen wanted to strangle me, but when I explained I wanted to go home early and surprise my boyfriend, she hadsomany questions.

“Holy shit! You have a boyfriend? Where did you meet him?”

I smiled when I remembered our initial meeting. “I met Ollie on my flight back after my last movie wrapped in New York.”

“What, is he an older gentleman who’s now your daddy?”

“Um, Kathleen, you need to stop watching gay porn, honey. He’s four years younger than me, with no interest in kink. We just started dating.”

“You’re being serious right now?”

“Um, yes.”

She shook her head. “No, I mean, you’ve met someone and you’ve committed yourself to them?”

“Yes. Is it so out of the ordinary that?—”

The loud and hurtful scoff cut off my words, and then she rolled her eyes.

“I have never seen you with the same person twice. You are respectful of all your partners and even learn their names when most wouldn’t bother, so I’m a little surprised. But now that I remember the last few weeks and seeing the smile on your face when you talk about him, I’m happy for you. Good for you, honey. You’ll have to bring him to the premiere so I can meet him.” Kathleen said.

I hugged her a final time, thanking her for helping me out, and rushed to the hotel to pack for the flight. Thomas was less than impressed because of the early morning hour as he drove to the airport in our rental. But as soon as he’d downed a strong cup of coffee, which the hotel was gracious enough to provide both of us as we checked out, his mood improved.

“Did I mention I’m grateful that you wrapped up early?” Thomas asked.

“Has Sam been working himself into exhaustion since you’ve been gone?”

The smile on his face told me everything I needed.

But when we arrived home, the house was eerily quiet. Thomas’ phone dinged with a text and as he read it, his smile fell.

“Sam’s working a double shift. I’m going to take him some lunch and snag some time with him. You’ll be okay on your own?”

I nodded and walked up to hug my bodyguard and close friend. “I’m sorry I haven’t said this earlier, but I’m happy you and Sam figured it out.”

Thomas squeezed my shoulder and gave me a smile.

“Thanks. Go find your man.”

With a laugh, I watched Thomas rush out and pulled out my phone, needing to see Ollie as soon as possible.

Connor: Hey, where are you?

Ollie: Hey, Connor. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you until later. How’s your morning?

Connor: Well, it was going well as I planned on surprising my new boyfriend, but he’s not home.

There was a long moment of pure silence before my phone rang.

“What? You’re home?”

“Yeah. I missed you,cariño mío.”