Page 109 of Men or Paws

I walked to the sliding glass door, entering the house with Houdini.

It was quiet, which wasn’t a surprise since Marcello and Gwen had already left for the day.

I walked down the hallway, but then stopped in my tracks when there was a loud bang in Rocco’s office, like something hit the floor.

Or had he just thrown something?

“Get your head back in the game!” Rocco said.

I knocked on the office door, wanting to help. “Rocco?”

A few seconds later, Rocco appeared with his brow creased, some papers in his hand.

Houdini entered the office and lunged for one of the scripts on the floor.

“Is everything okay?” Rocco asked.

The question surprised me since I had been about to ask him the same thing.

“Just checking on you,” I said. “I heard you yelling and I was concerned. That’s not like you.”

He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” He showed me the papers in his hand. “This is driving me crazy. Come in.” He ran a hand through his hair and walked back to his desk, flipping back around and leaning against it.

I gestured to the papers. “What’s the matter? Did you get some bad news?”

Rocco sighed. “No—it’s this script.” He shook his head like he was disgusted with it. “It’s a sitcom with a lot of potential, but the producers want me to read with the top three candidates for the female lead to see who I have the most chemistry with.”

I nodded. “And that’s a bad thing?”

“Reading with them? No,” Rocco said. “But I’m having a hard time focusing while I’m running through my lines, for some reason. This has never happened to me before.” He glanced down at the papers in his hand again. “I’m second-guessing myself while I’m in character.” He tossed the papers on the desk and leaned heavily on it. “Anyway, sorry for bothering you. I’ll figure it out.”

I waved him off. “You’re not bugging me, Rocco.”

Seeing how much this was tearing him apart, I couldn’t have stopped myself if I tried. I took two steps, closing the distance between us. I put my hand on his shoulder, feeling the warmth emanating through his shirt. My hand moved of its own volition, rubbing up and down his back.

I wanted to comfort the man I was coming to care a great deal for.

“Is there something I can do to help?” I asked. “Just name it.”

“Thank you, but no, there isn’t,” Rocco said. “If you were an actress I could have you run lines with me so I had someone to play off of, although I’m not so certain that would get me out of my own head at this point. Don’t worry about it. I’ll have a drink to take the edge off and then try to get my mojo back later tonight or in the morning.”

Rocco always had more confidence than any person I had ever known. It was odd seeing him in this state of doubt. It hurt me as much as it was hurting him.

I glanced across the office at the papers on the desk, curious.

Walking over, I picked them up, then saw the name of the TV show on the first page.

Bad Case of Loving You

“Intriguing title,” I said, resting my bottom against the edge of his desk while flipping through the pages.

Rocco nodded. “It makes sense if you’ve read the premise and the script.”

I nodded, thinking about it. “You know, I really wouldn’t mind. I can read lines with you. I mean, if you think it would help.”

Rocco stared at me like I was crazy. “Seriously?” He turned, leaning against the desk beside me.

“Sure. How hard could it be? All I have to do is read.”