Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
The next morning, I was up early. Annie hadn’t stayed long, refusing dinner, saying she was meeting Davis. I told Kassie everything that had happened, and she looked relieved.
“So no one will be coming around?” she questioned.
“No. Your identity is safe, and your life is still private. His article didn’t get the attention he hoped for, maybe because no one cares, and neither did the paper that carried it. Or maybe because it happened so far away, it doesn’t matter.” I shrugged, unsure. “But after tomorrow, it will be history.” I finished the slice of pizza I was eating, wiping my fingers. “I didn’t think we could contain this so quickly. I’m glad.”
She reached over and squeezed my hand. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry my presence caused you worry.”
“Stop,” she chided me. “It wasn’t your fault, and I’m not upset. You told me to trust you, and I did. You didn’t let me down.”
Those words felt huge to me. Kassie trusted me.
I picked up another slice of pizza. “Will you come on Friday now?”
“Yes. Quinn needs the help.”
“Good.”
She smiled at me. “Yeah. Good.”
I looked around, trying to stay casual. “You ever think of moving?”
She frowned as she chewed her pizza. “Moving houses or cities?”
“Either.”
“Maybe a different house one day. But I won’t leave Richton. I thought the world out there was exciting and better, but it’s not. I like it here. I like my friends. My job. I’m happy.” She smiled and nudged my foot. “Not all of us thrive under the bright lights and bustle of Hollywood, Olly.”
I had smiled.
And refrained from telling her the truth.
I left Kassie asleep and headed into town, going to the Dill. It was bustling, but I found an empty booth that I sat down in. Quinn came over with a menu, greeting me with a smile. “Oliver.”
“Hey.” I stood and kissed her cheek. I liked her a lot. She was funny and kind. A good friend to Kassie.
“Coffee?”
“Yeah, and whatever you’ve got on special for breakfast.” I was starving again.
She smiled and headed to the kitchen. John walked in, spied me, and came over, sliding into the booth. “Hey, big man,” I greeted him.
“Hi yourself. Mind if I join you?”
“No, that would be great.”
Quinn came from the kitchen and brought us both coffee. She bent and kissed John. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”
“I finished my chores and was hungry.” Then he grinned. “And I missed you.”
She smiled at him and cupped his face, the action sweet and intimate. She bent and kissed him again. “I love surprise visits.”
Watching them, I felt a pang of something. Envy? They were a great couple. Happy. Their life together working for them here.
I thought of leaving Richton. Returning to LA. My empty house.
My empty life.
Something I had realized lately was the only time I was ever content in LA was when I was working. Otherwise, I had nothing there. I spent hours alone. Reading scripts. Wandering the house. Working out. The occasional dinner with other actors. The very rare party, as they weren’t something I enjoyed. I was on my own most of the time.
It made me want more.
It made me want what I saw between John and Quinn.
My free time here was filled with Kassie. I looked forward to seeing her. I loved our dinners. Sitting and talking to her. We’d gone for a few runs, and I found I enjoyed the exercise all the more with her beside me. Her ankle had healed well, and she liked the activity as much as I did.
I liked sharing funny bits of my day and hearing about hers. It felt real. Right. And I really liked sleeping beside her. Waking up to her curled around me. Making love to her in the early morning, late at night, or anytime I wanted. But I knew it was going to end.
Because the woman I was falling for again didn’t want to leave Richton. She had a life here and she was happy. She’d stay happy once I left because of the people in her life. She didn’t need me the way I needed her.
I was going to go to LA and, once again, be on my own. And I hated that idea.
Quinn left, and John grinned at me. “Sorry. I can’t keep my hands off my wife.”
I waved him off. “Nice to see.”
He took a sip of coffee. “You ever think of settling down? Or your love-’em-and-leave-’em lifestyle suits you too well?”
“Don’t believe all you read in the rags, John. I don’t date much.”
“Married to your career, I suppose,” he mused.
“In many ways.”
“There’s more to life than money and fame.” He looked around. “Life here is simple. I like that. I like knowing my town. Knowing my neighbors.”
“Nothing wrong with simple,” I agreed.
“Sometimes simple is perfect. Like love.”
“Sorry?”
“Love can be complicated or simple. Quinn and I had a rocky start, but once we fell, we fell hard. I would have given up everything for her, but she wanted the same things I did.”