Chapter 26

Twenty-Six

Harlowe

Iblew into my hands to warm them the moment the director called cut, my shoulders sinking with relief. That was it. I was done with my scenes. I could go home. I could get back to my normal life. I could unravel my current mess.

With a grin and a wave, I headed for my trailer, both anticipating and dreading the apology I owed Roc. I’d been in a state of confusion and shock when I’d dismissed him, but it hadn’t been his fault that Zander had shown up unannounced. He hadn’t deserved me taking out my stress on him.

And then there was Zander. What did he deserve? A kick in the balls? A second chance? Something in the middle?

My gut told me that getting back together with him was a mistake. “Especially since you spent last night getting your brains fucked out by someone else,” I muttered under my breath.

My face heated at the memory of just how up close and personal I’d gotten with my bodyguard. And during all of it, I hadn’t thought about missing Zander once. I hadn’t regretted it. I hadn’t wished it was him in bed with me instead of Roc. I hadn’t felt an ounce of embarrassment—until my ex had shown up. Then the reality of having fallen into bed with the guy sworn to protect me had seemed all wrong.

That still didn’t mean I wanted to get back together with the jerk who’d made my life hell. So why had I hedged when Zander had suggested it? Why hadn’t I told him to shove his stupid idea right up his…?

“There you are, babe.”

I jumped as Zander sidled up next to me and draped an arm around my shoulders. “You have got to stop sneaking up on me.”

He didn’t withdraw his arm, but he did make a tsk-ing sound in his throat. “So touchy.”

“Sorry, I’ve been shooting all day.” Wait, why was I apologizing to him?

“I know. I’ve been waiting for you. By the way, the coffee cart here is great. They made me a perfect oat milk vanilla latte.”

“Great.”

“You want me to get you one?”

So, he hadn’t picked up on my dripping sarcasm. And he didn’t remember that I despised oat milk. I spun out from under his arm so that I was facing him. “Listen, I know you traveled all the way here to talk, but I need to take care of a few things first.”

“You finished your scenes.” He eyed me with genuine confusion. “What else could be more important than talking to the boyfriend who flew here to see you?”

“Ex-boyfriend,” I corrected. “And I need to apologize to Ro—my bodyguard. Then we can talk.”

Zander opened his mouth, but Grant rushed up before he could speak. “There’s my favorite ‘it’ couple!”

I frowned at my agent. “We’re not a couple anymore, Grant.” Was I the only person who remembered our messy breakup that had then played out over social media and made it necessary for me to need a bodyguard?

Grant glanced at Zander then at me. “I know you two have had your ups and downs, but the world loves Harlowe and Zander together. I love Harlowe and Zander together. The studio loves Harlowe and Zander together.”

“See?” Zander beamed at me. “Everyone knows we should be together. It’s a win-win-win.”

There was something in the brief glance between Zander and Grant that made my senses tingle. “Does this have anything to do with the contract negotiation?”

Grant’s mouth fell open, and he pressed a hand to his chest. “What?”

“Come on, Har.” Zander grabbed my hands. “You have to know that both of our value to the studio goes up if we’re still the golden couple of their series.”

Grant’s head bowed, and he released a breath as if defeated.

I snatched back my hands. “This was all about money? You came here to get back together so you could get more money?”

“We’d both get more money, babe.” Zander smiled at me like he hadn’t just admitted betraying me—again. “And I do want to get back together. I miss waking up with you, Har.”

So, he was greedy and horny. At least he was staying on brand.

I backed away from both men, so disgusted I was afraid I might throw up on them. Not that they didn’t deserve it.

Tears burned the back of my eyes and blurred my vision as I stumbled forward. I needed to get out of here. I needed to get far away from my agent and my ex and every guy who’d broken my trust. Then I stopped and swung my head around, searching for the big, green figure who’d been my constant shadow for the past few days. I needed Roc.

I ran the rest of the way to my trailer, racing up the steps and bursting inside. “Roc?”

Only my voice echoed back to me in the empty space. He wasn’t there. I ran back outside and down the stairs, my gaze sweeping the area.

“Has anyone seen my bodyguard?” My voice was shrill, but I didn’t care. Let them call me bitchy and demanding. I needed the one guy who’d shown me that he would protect me.

A PA I recognized stopped as he was hurrying past. “Tall, hot, and green?”

I nodded. “Do you know where he is?”

“He left.”

The new voice was deep and gravelly, and I swiveled to see another orc dressed all in black standing with his hands clasped in front of him. “I’m your new bodyguard, Cort.”