90. Alice

ALICE

M ichael is waiting for me, sitting on the side of the bed, when I come out of the bathroom.

With no plans to leave the room, I’ve continued my tradition of pajamas by dinnertime and pulled my hair back.

I know he still wanted to go down and talk to the producers, so I’m not surprised to see him still dressed in his filming clothes, but I am surprised to see a room service cart next to him.

“Come here.” He holds a hand out to me.

Not needing to be told twice, I move to him and step between his spread knees.

“Thank you for what you did today.” His voice is full of so much compassion it makes my heart squeeze.

“You don’t have to thank me.” I take his offered hand and press my other palm over his heart.

“I do.” He shakes his head and places his hand over mine, pinning it to his chest. “I didn’t know Amber would be here.” He presses his hand down harder, like he’s worried I’ll try to pull it away. “I don’t know whose idea it was to bring her here, but their career with Second Bite is over.”

“You don’t?—”

“I do,” he says again. “Even if…” Michael swallows. “Even if I’d never met you, I’d still fire whoever brought her here. This show isn’t about drama. It never should have happened. And certainly not with you, the love of my life, at my side.”

“I’m mostly mad that I didn’t know you two had dated. I thought I knew everything about you.”

Michael’s chest rises and falls with a deep breath. “It was twenty years ago. A lifetime ago. And I’ll tell you whatever you want to know, but I hope you’re okay knowing that it wasn’t serious. It was casual and brief, and I would’ve thought her petty jealousy would’ve worn off by now. But she was dramatic back when I knew her, and she’s already proven she’s still dramatic now.”

“Kind of have to be dramatic to be in soap operas.” I pull a face. “I hate that meeting her has ruined Dawns of Agony for me. I watched that show after school like every day.”

That gets a small smile out of Michael. “That was pretty perfect when you mentioned watching her when you were a kid. I know you weren’t trying to needle her about her age, but it was pretty perfect anyway.”

“I guess this is what they mean when they say never meet your heroes.” I sigh. “Except Zelle is just as cool as I’d hoped she’d be.” I bite my lip. “And Drake is really good looking.”

Michael narrows his eyes.

“I’m kidding.” I lean down and press a kiss to his lips.

“Better be,” Michael grumbles.

“So… what did you order?” I eye the cart.

“A couple options for dinner. Whatever you don’t eat, I’ll have when I get back.”

“I can wait for you.”

Michael shakes his head. “After the producers, I need to call my manager. He should have at least known about the celebrity bit. The fact that I was completely in the dark, on my own show, is unacceptable.”

I bite my lip.

“What?” Michael watches me.

“You’re so hot when you’re angry.”

He shakes his head. “Go eat your food. I have to run out and grab a few things after my talks, so I’ll be a bit.”

After a hug and another quick kiss, Michael leaves the room.

Once he’s gone, I select the burger from the options and pull out Michael’s laptop. While I eat, I can watch the episode of Dawns of Agony when Amber’s character dies in a freak collapsing-bookshelf accident.