Page 48 of Mated to the Mountain Bear (Bear Protector #1)
ZARA
T he apartment still feels wrong without Amber’s laughter filling it.
I stand in her doorway while Ben carries another box to the stack by the door.
Most of our things are already packed. With her purchase of the new apartment expected to be completed by now, I’d started before everything went to hell.
Amber laughed at me for being so eager to get out of here.
“That’s the last of the heavy ones,” Ben says, setting down a box of books. Jerry pads past him, sniffing at corners, trying to take in every unfamiliar smell in this strange place.
I pick up the last box from Amber’s room, the one with her personal things I couldn’t bear to put into storage. Photos, her lucky audition earrings, the leather jacket she loved. My throat tightens as I seal it.
“I’ll take that,” Ben says softly, but I shake my head.
“This one stays with me.”
He nods, understanding without explanation. That’s one thing I’m learning about Ben, he senses exactly what I need when I don’t even know.
My phone buzzes. Amber’s lawyer returning my call. I’ve been dreading this conversation.
“I should take this,” I tell Ben, and he squeezes my shoulder before heading to the kitchen to give me privacy.
“Ms. Reeves? I’m so glad to hear from you.” He doesn’t know where I’ve been. I’m sure he thought I was just burying my head in the sand. “I need to discuss the productions that have been waiting for Amber’s return.”
There were endless voicemails and messages when I turned back on my phone. I can only imagine what he has been fielding over the last few weeks.
I sink onto the couch, pulling out the legal pad I’ve been using to track everything. “I know. We’ve waited long enough. They need to recast.”
Even if we find her, she won’t be throwing herself back into work.
“The Santiago film was willing to wait another month, but I think you’re making the right decision. We’ll need to send formal releases to all the productions, the Santiago project, the indie film with Ryan Morrison, the two TV guest spots for the medical drama, and the perfume commercial.”
Each one feels like another goodbye. “Send me whatever needs to be signed.”
I have power of attorney over most of Amber’s affairs with her travelling so much. I just never thought I’d have to use it this way.
“There may be some financial penalties for the delays and contract violations. The deposit for the apartment is gone, but I’ll try to minimise them. I’m hoping that, given the circumstances, most people will be sympathetic, or at least afraid to be seen not to be, but...”
I don’t care about money. I know he’ll do his best for us, and that’s all I can ask.
“I understand.” The numbers are already staggering, but Amber had money. It’ll be fine.
After I hang up, I open my laptop. Amber’s calendar stares back at me, full of meetings and auditions that will never happen. I start typing:
Dear Mr. Davidson, I regret to inform you that Amber Reeves will be unable to attend the chemistry read next Tuesday...
Ben reappears in the doorway. “I’m going to get us some food. Is the Pad Thai place on the fridge any good?”
I nod and give him a thumbs up. “Pad Thai, extra peanuts?”
“Got it.” He hesitates. “Lock the door behind me.”
After he leaves, the apartment feels even emptier.
I dive back into emails, cancelling everything, apologising to casting directors, and fielding responses that range from sympathetic to furious.
A producer threatens to sue. An angry director demands to know how dare she just disappear in the middle of his project.
Jerry comes in and rests his head on my knee, and I work through them methodically, each email another closed door.
Then I see it—an email from Isla Mills, Amber’s friend from her latest job.
Zara, I’ve been following the news. I’m so sorry about Amber.
I know this might come across as unsympathetic, but I’m producing an indie film and our lead’s assistant just quit.
It’s a six-week shoot, starting next month.
The pay isn’t much, but it’s work if you need it. Call me if you’re interested.
Six weeks away from the mountain. Away from Ben.
The door opens, and the smell of Thai food fills the apartment. I smile at my handsome mate as he sets the bags on the counter, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. He keeps glancing at the windows, running his hand through his hair.
“Thanks,” I say, trying to sound normal. “Smells amazing.”
Ben’s brought all my favourites, or maybe, he just ordered everything. We eat sitting on the floor, because the table is covered in paperwork, with Jerry happily accepting pieces of chicken from Ben’s fingers.
“How bad is it?” he asks finally, nodding at my lists.
I show him the pages of notes. “Multiple productions want compensation, but hopefully, the fear of bad press will stop them from pushing it. I need to fly to Vancouver by Friday to get her things from the last set, or they’ll be put into storage God only knows where.
There’s a meeting with the lawyers next week about the contract disputes.
And...” I hesitate. “There’s a job offer. Six weeks with another actress.”
His jaw tightens. “If you need money, I have plenty.”
Just like that. Just that simple. What’s his is mine.
“Ben... I can’t take your money.”
Tilting his head, he studies me closely.
“If you want to go, that’s another thing,” he says quietly. “I won’t stop you. You had a career before, and… We can handle six weeks. Maybe I could come…”
But even as he says it, a half offer he’s probably already regretting, I can see how the city is wearing on him.
The noise from the street has him on edge.
The tall buildings and lack of greenery.
If I’m struggling with the lack of clean air, then my mountain man is definitely not enjoying himself, and we’ve only been here one day.
“Maybe I can do some of this remotely,” I say. “Once I get the urgent stuff handled...”
But our eyes lock. No Wi-Fi on the mountain. No cell service, either.
“Do what you need to do.” He reaches for my hand and pulls me into his lap, giving my tight shoulders a massage as I stare at the overwhelming list and realise this is going to take much longer than either of us thought.