Going off on Dax made me feel better funny enough. I finished writing out my long-term goals, as well as what steps I needed to take to reach those goals. I'd always been the sort of person who, if I vented about what was bothering me, I could put it to the back of my mind. I didn't stew about things, and I tried not to hold on to them. I much rather preferred to forget about things I couldn't fix, problems I couldn't solve. Life was too short to spend worrying about what I couldn't control.

I slept better than I had since I moved, and when I woke up, I was ready to start on my list. My stomach growled. After I had some breakfast. It smelled like someone was making bacon.

“Hey, Bryne,” Carrie said as I entered the kitchen. “How'd you sleep?”

“Good,” I said as I retrieved a plate from the cabinet beside the stove. I leaned against the counter. “Did you say anything to Gavin about me being upset with Dax?”

Okay, so maybe I hadn't completely forgotten about it, but I told myself that it was natural to be curious about what happened with Dax's job. He may have been a jerk to me, but I didn't like the idea of him losing his job because my uncle was being overprotective.

Carrie's cheeks went pink. “Um, no.”

My eyes narrowed as a thought occurred to me. Dax hadn't actually said that Gavin had personally fired him. Gavin was the boss, so it was natural to assume that he'd been the one calling the shots.

“Did you fire Dax because of what I told you?”

When she finally looked at me, there was a stubborn set to her jaw. “Yes.”

I sighed. “Really? Gavin doing it, I guess I could see, but you, Carrie? I didn't think you were that overprotective.”

“I'm not.” She went back to pushing bacon around with her spatula. “Don't get me wrong, I wanted to cut off his balls for the way he talked to you, but I'd never make a business decision based on personal feelings.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Then why'd you fire him?”

“I never told you how Dax got hired, did I?” She glanced at me, and I shook my head. “I mostly work on human trafficking cases, but sometimes I take on other cases that spark my interest. A year ago, a former client referred a case to me where a woman was injured at work, and her company fired her.”

I recalled a comment Dax had made last night. “Dax's mom.”

Carrie nodded. “Annabeth didn't deserve what happened to her. I've been working on her case, but the company was trying to drag things out rather than settle. Gavin and I offered Dax a job so he could help his mother.”

“But you fired him.” I was completely confused now.

“I did,” Carrie said. “And it was because of what he said to you, though not for the reason you think.”

I snatched a piece of bacon and ate it while she continued.

“Most people look at Club Privé as a sordid place where people go to have kinky sex.” She gave me a partial grin. “While I suppose that's technically true, the club is more than that. It's a place where people with common interests can come and not worry about what other people think about them. We rely on trust and respect.” Her expression grew serious. “Someone who would behave so disrespectfully to a woman he'd had sex with can't be trusted to maintain the sort of discretion and respect needed to work in that sort of setting. That is why I fired him.”

My respect for Carrie went up even more. Before I could say anything though, my phone rang.

“Hello?”

“May I speak with Bryne Dawkins?” The woman's voice was pleasant, but she pronounced my name wrong, making the y sound like a long i rather than a short one.

I didn't bother to correct her. “Speaking.”

“This is Jacqueline Jamison, the casting director for Collide.”

My heart felt like it lodged in my throat.

“We'd like you to come in for a second reading for the part of Gretchen.”

Gretchen. The romantic lead.

“Th-that would be great.” I found the closest chair and sat down. “When do you want me to come in?”

“Would it be possible for you to come in this afternoon? Four o'clock?”

“Yes, I can be there.”

“Great. We'll see you then.”

I stared at my phone for a solid minute, unable to believe what just happened.

“Bryne?” Carrie touched my hand.

“I have a callback.” Hearing it still didn't make it feel any more real.

Carrie threw her arms around me. “That's wonderful! Tell me all about it!”

* * *

The fact that I'd gotten a callback on my first New York audition should have meant I'd be more relaxed going in for a second audition but, if anything, I was even more anxious. I wasn't expecting to get the part. Rejections were a part of wanting to be an actor. I'd prepared for that. Even if I didn't get the role, I hadn't prepared to get this far so fast.

It was stupid, I knew, to be so thrown by something good, but that didn't do anything to keep my pulse from racing and my mouth from going dry. I took a quick swig from my bottle of water and then told myself that if I wanted to be an actress, this was a good place to start. If I couldn't convince them that I wasn't nervous, then I didn't deserve the job.

“Miss Dawkins.” Jacqueline smiled at me when I entered the room. “Today, you'll be reading with Todd Emery. He'll be playing the lead character, Christopher Halloway.”

I hadn't noticed the new person in the room until now. About six feet tall, unruly strawberry blond hair, and a gorgeous pair of smokey gray eyes, Todd was perfect for the role of the broody romantic lead. He smiled at me and stepped forward, stretching out his hand.

“Bryne Dawkins,” I said with a smile.

“All right, Miss Dawkins,” Jacqueline said. “We'll have you and Mr. Emery read a scene, see what the chemistry is between the two of you.”

I nodded and accepted the page the director handed me.

Twenty minutes later, Todd took me in his arms and bent his head to give me a scorching kiss. It was a good kiss, the kind that would read well onstage but wasn't too intrusive. The perfect way to end the scene.

When we both turned to the table, all three faces were beaming at us.

“That was great,” Jacqueline said. “Seriously, Bryne, the best we've seen.”

She said my name correctly this time. I hoped that, plus the praise, meant good things.

“What do you think, Todd?” The director looked at the man standing next to me.

“She's my choice,” he said without hesitating.

“Mine too,” Jacqueline added.

All eyes turned to the third person at the table, the one who hadn't spoken yet. She nodded as well.

“Technically, we have to go over some things before we can make an official announcement.” The director stood, a smile on his face. “But I think, unofficially, we can agree that you're our choice.”

“Congratulations.” Jacqueline came around to shake my hand, but I could barely process what she was saying or doing. My head was buzzing.

I shook her hand, then the other two as well. I was barely aware of them leaving, and then I was alone with Todd.

“Did that really happen?” I asked, looking up at him. “Did that seriously just happen?”

He grinned at me, a brilliant smile that made him look even more handsome. “I'm guessing this is your first gig.”

I nodded, then shook my head. “Not exactly. It's my first one here in New York. I did some stuff back in DC, but this is...different.”

He chuckled, a nice, warm sound. “Tell me about it. I grew up doing theater in Boise.”

“How long have you been here?” I asked.

“Eight years this spring. And I wouldn't go back for the world. It's not always easy, and sometimes we have to deal with some shit people, but if you love it, really love it, it's worth it.”

I smiled, the tension in me finally easing. Here was someone who got it, who really understood what it meant to want to be a part of something like this. I'd been wrong to go looking for a friend in Dax. We had nothing in common. Here was where I'd find like-minded people, people I could be friends with.

I wasn't stupid. I knew there'd be backstabbing and jealousy, people who'd be petty and cruel. But there'd also be those who knew what it was like to work long, grueling hours while outsiders talked about how nice it must be not to really have to work for a living. People who understood having to work shit jobs to pay the bills, then going to rehearsals and performances. Getting by on only a couple hours of sleep. Forcing a smile or laugh when every inch hurt.

“We should do something,” Todd said. “It's the first leading role for both of us. We should celebrate before we have to fill every waking hour with practices and performances.”

I looked up into those kind eyes of his and thought about that kiss. There hadn't been a spark with him, no real heat. Sure, it'd been for an audition, but I didn't really feel anything now either, looking at him. Admiration, yes. Even a bit of physical attraction, but no real desire. I didn't care if he touched me or not. I had no real opinion about whether or not he kissed me.

“What do you think?” He reached out and twisted a loose curl around his finger. “Dinner. Maybe a drink.”

I took half a step back. “Right now?”

Todd smiled at me. “We can go later if you have someone you want to invite. My boyfriend's visiting his parents in Miami, or I'd invite him along too.”

Boyfriend.

Todd was gay. Well, maybe bisexual, but at the very least, he was taken. I didn't have to worry about him hitting on me or taking things the wrong way. I could just hang out with him, spend time with him. We could do things together, and I'd never have to worry about it becoming weird and awkward.

I smiled at him. “That sounds great. I'm starving.”