Page 7 of Vain

“Only Matilda does have that something special that makes her stand out from the crowd, and as her popularity grew, so too did Hattie’s resentment. It was a double-edged sword.”

“What’s their relationship like now?”

“Strained. This house was left to her by her father. She inherited it free and clear at eighteen, which is also when she fired her mother as her manager. The press had a field day. But eventually, it died down when Hollywood’s latest heartthrob got caught with a hooker doing blow off his dick while he was driving ninety miles an hour down Sunset Boulevard.”

He covers the dough before leaning on the counter. “Hattie still comes around, playing the victim, bringing scripts, and arranging auditions for Matilda, which she has no interest in. But Hattie is not a woman who recognizes the word no.”

“She sounds like a fucking delight.”

He snorts. “Just you wait.”

“Tell me about?—

I snap my mouth closed when Matilda walks into the room dressed in sweats, her hair up under a ball cap.

“Hey. You always get up at this time?”

She looks from me to Marley. “Only when I can’t switch my brain off. Hey Marley, thanks for dinner last night. It was spectacular as per usual.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Any requests for tonight?”

“Something light? I need to head to the studio, but I don’t know what time I’ll be back.”

Marley had been taking a sip of his coffee and her words surprised him. He chokes as he thunks his mug down on the counter. “You’re sure?”

I look between them, wondering what I’m missing.

“It’s time. I’ve done everything I can remotely, but filming starts in a week, and I need to spend time getting to know the cast and crew better.” She lowers her voice before continuing. “I’ve worked too hard to come this far and let this asshole win now.”

“Good. I’m proud of you.”

She flushes and dips her head, making me wonder if she isn’t used to hearing those words. “Thanks. Anyway, I’m going to go for a run around the property. I won’t be long.”

“Hold up, and I’ll come with you.” I stand, leaving my half-full mug on the counter.

“You don’t need to. I’m not leaving the?—”

“My job is to guard you, Tilly. Can’t do that if I’m here and you’re out there. Plus, it will give me a chance to scope out the area.”

“Um…okay.”

“Give me a couple of minutes to throw some shorts on.” I head upstairs before she can change her mind.

When I return to the kitchen five minutes later, Tilly is standing right where I left her.

“Ready?”

“Sure,” she replies before offering Marley a smile. “See you later.”

We walk out to the back deck and down the steps before she veers to the left. She starts warming up, stretching her legs and circling her shoulders. I do the same, keeping my eyes off her ass in those skin-tight leggings so I don’t pop a fucking boner and take her eye out with it. I take my time checking the area for spaces where it would be easy for someone to hide. There area couple, but mostly, it is a pretty open space. I take a second glance for any of her security team members, but if they are out here, they’re doing a good job of remaining inconspicuous.

She jumps up and down on her feet for a moment, shaking out all her muscles before she looks at me. “Ready?”

She doesn’t wait for an answer. She just starts running. I expected her to start slow as she lets her muscles warm up, but she runs briskly instead.

She doesn’t talk, and neither do I, letting the cool morning air rejuvenate us as we run silently side-by-side. We loop the house four times before she signals that she’s stopping.

“Five miles is enough for me this morning,” she tells me as she gets her breathing under control.