I don’t remember when I started running on my elliptical machine. But the mileage is up to almost four and a half miles. I’m zoning out; mad one minute, sad the next. I’m feeling completely and utterly frustrated the whole time. Fucking useless. I hope Shauna can figure this mess out.

Shauna has the day off. She has a home life too. I often forget she’s married and has a teenage kid…a daughter named Sam—no, a son named Sam.

Yeah, I can’t recall; I really should remember.

All I can think about is the trouble this blog has created. It’s the last thing I wanted. The very last thing.

I know my career can handle the stress, but not Kayla’s…hers is just starting.

Toweling the sweat off as I cross my house, I head for the shower. All I wantis to rinse off quickly and then make myself some dinner.

I have some top-notch steaks marinating in Worcestershire sauce and some chopped-up onions and mushrooms waiting to be grilled. My stomach growls. Yeah, it’s going to be delicious, and after all the calories I just burned, I have nothing to worry about if I eat it all.

That’s my plan—eat until I’m stuffed and then fall asleep on the couch, watching a movie.

While showering, I think I hear my doorbell. A UPS delivery no doubt—my new cell phone charger. I get out of the shower and start drying my body. I can hear my assistant’s words in my head.

“You always say not to leave the packages at the door too long. Kids like to steal things that look like they came from Amazon or Best Buy,” I say to myself, a reminder to rush out to get it.

I’m still pulling on my Nike sweatpants when the doorbell rings again. Either the UPS delivery guy has made a mistake, or someone’s here. I wonder who?

“I’m coming!” I shout.

Dashing through my house, I pull my T-shirt on. I would have liked to dry my hair too, but the doorbell rings a third time. Whoever is at my door is in a damn hurry.

“Coming!”

I kinda fling the door open. Not meaning to. To my surprise, there’s Kayla turning, about to walk away.

“Hey. Hey you,” I say, grabbing her attention.

“Hey, Brad. Can I come in?”

“Of course.” I wave her in.

I’m so happy to see her. My day’s suddenly shaping up. I cannot wait to see where this is going to go. Maybe, if I am lucky, I will get…well…lucky.

“So…what’s happening, Kayla? I wasn’t expecting to see you today.” I smile. “But I sure am happy you stopped by.”

“It’s a mess, Brad.”

Oh shit. I feel my heart drop to the floor upon seeing her upset face.

“What’s wrong?” I say. “Tell me what I can do to help. Anything. Just say it.”

“I don’t know.”

Kayla’s voice is full of defeat. Watching her plop down, basically giving up on my couch is enough to break my heart. I’m quickly realizing I will do anything—whatever is needed to help and protect her.

I really care. These are not just words falling out of my mouth. These are not empty promises. I mean them.

“Kayla—”

She whines. “What…”

“Kayla, listen to me, okay?”

“Yeah?” She peeks up at me; she’s looking so sad it’s ridiculous.

“I’ll quit the show. Okay. I’ll quit. Maybe that will help. I mean it has to, at least, make things a little easier for you, right?”

She’s stunned. I can see it on her face. “You’d do that for me? You’d quit for me?”

“I would.” I smile. “Quitting will not hurt my career.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I get offers all the time. I have a few sitting on the table right now. I can call Shauna and she can tell you herself. There’s always some producer or director waiting on me. This won’t slow me down at all. No. I’ll be fine.”

She’s quiet for a moment. I’m not sure if she’s going to cry or what. So I kneel before her and take her tiny hand.

“Is that what you want?” she asks me. “Do you want to quit?”

Her eyes look pained. I can tell she doesn’t want this either.

“No. Of course not. I don’t want to quit. You’re an amazing writer, and I love working with you. This is the most excited I have been about a role in a long time. But all that said, I will quit. Gladly. If it helps you.”

She stands up suddenly and wraps her arms around me in a big hug. It feels nice. Not just her body pressed against mine, but the sentiment feels good.

Kayla feels good.

“Thank you for saying all that, Brad. Really.”

“I meant it,” I whisper in her ear. “Seriously, Kayla, if it is your career or mine…then I’ll quit to protect you.”

She hugs me tighter. It feels like she doesn’t want to let go.

I stay in her embrace for a bit. And when she loosens her hold, I quickly acquire her eye contact by gently pinching her chin. “You are amazing, Kayla.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

Leaning in slowly, I can feel the heat from her mouth before my lips even reach hers. Pressing them lightly, I hope she welcomes their presence, and she does. Her mouth opens slightly.

She smells like roses…roses and sex.

God, I want her so much.