Though I’d worked hard to never feel that kind of pain again, here it was, landing in my lap. Worst of all, there went my hope, snuffed out in an instant. When I reached the conference room, I stood in the corner and stared out the window for a little while I tried to calm down. My stomach was growling, but I refused to join them for lunch at the moment, and probably never would again. Even now, I wondered if Kate remembered. I’d recognized her from the moment I saw her, even with that tight bun and the reading glasses, she couldn’t hide her light. Mr. George absolutely adored her. Everyone was drawn to her in school. I’d managed some momentary popularity in school while everyone rallied by her side at the news of her mother’s passing. They threw her a going away party. Then news came of my step-father’s massive coronary and my imminent departure and those same people avoided the hell out of me.

“They just don’t know what to say,” Kate had explained.

“They seemed to know what to say to you.” I had barely managed to speak in between sobs. I’d lost my escape from the binge drinking, the hangovers, the fights, and the endless weekend parties.

Now I was reliving it. The pain felt as fresh and new as if it had happened yesterday. I shook my head and leaned against the window, staring down at all the teeny, tiny, carefree people.

There was a knock on the door and as I turned around, Harry walked in. He looked more serious than I liked. Immediately, he set the bag of food and the drinks on the table before walking over to me. He wrapped his arms around me and drew me to his chest. “Hi, Laney,” he murmured into my hair.

“Hello, Harry,” I whispered into his chest.

He squeezed me once more before slowly walking me over to the table. “When I make plans to have lunch with a beautiful woman, I make it happen.” Harry pulled out a chair and gestured for me to take a seat. “I think we’re better off having lunch alone anyway. Those two are so much drama,” he teased.

“Yes.” I nodded in agreement. I sighed as he pulled all the food out of the bag and set it in front of us, then sat in the chair beside mine. “Listen, I’m sorry I ran off. I was afraid I’d ruin lunch. And I didn’t mean to be all emotional and girlish, but hey, I’m a girl and despite my best efforts my soft side is gonna show here and there.” I shrugged helplessly as my face heated up.

“Laney.” Harry grinned as he laid a hand on my thigh.

I glanced down, reveling in the warmth his touch brought. Even more, I truly felt more peaceful than I had since I arrived here. “Go on.” I smiled tentatively.

His shoulders heaved. “Okay, first, and I think this is an incredibly important point for me to make; I can’t stress this enough. Ready?”

I nodded and giggled. “Sure.”

He blew out a breath. “I’m not leaving. I’m going to stay here with him.”

“And when you say here, you mean…”

Raking a hand through his hair, Harry murmured, “Vegas. The hotel, I guess. Here. Near you.” He cupped my face. “I know this doesn’t make sense, but I’m drawn to you, and if you knew what I do for a living and how unusual this is, you’d possibly maybe sorta understand why I have to see this through with you. I have to.”

“What do you do?” I bit my lower lip while I waited for his response.

“I make movies.” He sighed. “I own a little studio. In fact, the studio is so little that I currently do the casting, directing, producing, and location scouting.” Harry chuckled maniacally.

“Yeah. That sounds like a lot.” Then I frowned. “Hey, I thought you were rich.”

“I am. My trust fund is financing this venture, since I refused to join the big studio my father runs.”

My head tilted. “Why not?”

“These big studios…they’ve lost their souls,” Harry grumbled. “They keep making the same movies and remaking movies. There are probably millions of amazing books out there just waiting for someone to bring them to life. And these greedy bastards are trying to find a way to wring a little more money out of the Back to the Future franchise.”

I leaned back in my seat and smiled. “You certainly have the passion for this endeavor.” Then I nodded. “Ah, casting couch.”

“No!” He swiveled in his chair and then turned mine until we were facing. Then he laid a hand on each of my thighs. “See, that’s the thing. I don’t do that. Never have.” He blew out a breath. “There are starlets throwing themselves at me all the time. That’s not the kind of woman I want. The one for me won’t even be looking for me. We’ll meet by chance and build a life together by choice.”

My heart positively pounded in my chest. I could barely concentrate on his words because his touch was so distracting. His ice blue eyes slayed me. The way this handsome ginger spoke had me in knots. “So, you’d be more interested in the kind of girl who can’t manage platform heels and a Velcro dress?”

“Interested? Nah.” He made a face. “Obsessed? Definitely.” Harry leaned closer. “I’ve wanted to do this since I watched you walk away this morning.” He reached behind my head and pulled my face closer until our noses nearly touched. “You are a rare and beautiful creature, Laney Jenner,” he murmured while staring into my eyes. Then he closed the distance between us and pressed his lips to mine.

As before, I could feel tingles of electricity radiating through me. In an instant, I could feel hope igniting. I wanted this more than anything, a guy who chased after me and spouted such pretty words. I wanted this man who pulled out chairs for me and bought clothes for a virtual stranger. And because I wanted this, the man who seemed determined to catch me, I had to support him too.

When he pulled back and pressed his forehead to mine, I couldn’t help myself. “You can’t stay in the hotel,” I muttered. Slowly, I opened my eyes, worried about what I’d see there.

“Is it the bar downstairs? I’ll clean out all his luggage. I’ll make sure there’s no alcohol in the mini-bar.” Harry rushed to assure me of his plans.

“It’s the bar. It’s the casino. It’s the people.” I shook my head. “There are drug dealers around. He’ll find a way to dull the pain he refuses to face.”

Harry leaned back. “Let’s talk over lunch. Our fajitas are getting cold.”

I laughed. “And my salad is probably getting warm.”

“I forgot to ask for extra plates, but you’re still welcome to all that I have.”

The way he looked at me, the way he spoke, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a double meaning. “I’m happy to share some fajitas with you for now.”

“For now?” Harry smiled shyly.

“Yeah. I’ll share a lot more later.” I winked at him as I reached for a tortilla.

“I’m going to hold you to it.” He leaned over and kissed my temple. Then he prepared his own fajita and started eating. After devouring a few bites, Harry paused. “Okay. So, what do you recommend?”

“The fajitas, definitely. Gotta tell you, the salad is a little disappointing.” I picked at some of the corn on top of the lettuce with my fork.

“No, I mean what do you recommend for Drew?” Harry took a drink and I sensed he was trying to seem far more casual and relaxed than he truly felt.

“Honestly? Rehab. You have no idea what you’re in for.” I frowned sadly as I recalled my childhood.

“Well, let’s pretend that I have no choice because…actually, I feel like I have no choice. I promised I was staying in Vegas. Where should I stay? Hotel off the strip?”

I shook my head. “No. I think you need a house. Far from the strip. You have no idea what you’re in for.”

“Tell me.” Harry frowned. “Just tell me, please. I know I’m not ready. I’m not in the right frame of mind. I don’t care about Drew’s sobriety like I should right now.” He took my hand in his. “All I care about is getting to know you better. Babysitting my childhood friend isn’t exactly going to be conducive to this. How hopeless is my situation?”

“Grim.” I took a long swig from my drink. “See, the guy you knew and loved, he’s not around right now. In his place is this addict. All the addict thinks about is keeping the pain at bay, making sure there’s plenty of alcohol because running out could be catastrophic.”

“Drew’s suitcase barely had any clothes in it. Not the one I packed. That one had dirty clothes, which was why I went searching in the other one. Liquor bottles of all sizes, including minis.” He sighed. “I should’ve watched better.”

“It’s not your job. Stop feeling like a bad friend. And stop expecting to see liquor. They often supplement with pills because those don’t give them the obvious tell, the breath, the sweating, and the hangover.” I frowned. “And the liquor takes a toll on the body. There’s a pain that no amount of liquor can take away. Plus, pills can be pretty easy to come by. After all, he merely needs to make up some physical ailment and he can get prescribed pills. And if he has the money, which he does, then he can afford multiple doctors, multiple scripts, multiple pharmacies. Addicts become masters of deceit.”

“I can’t imagine Drew being organized enough for that.” Harry shook his head.

“Did you imagine Drew would keep luggage full of liquor?” My brows rose in challenge.

He shook his head. “Not in a million years. Back in college, he did some recreational drugs.”

“Then he already has a hook-up.” I frowned. “Going back to LA right now would be a terrible idea.”

“If you were me, what would you do? And don’t say rehab. I think I’ve established I’m going to try first, before I admit defeat. I have to.” He shrugged. “We’re friends.”

“Right now, he’s just a guy you used to know. Trust me.” I eyed him warily. “But if you insist on going this route, I’m in it with you.”

“Thanks, I’ll call you every chance I get to check in.” He grinned and I could sense some relief.

“Nope. There’ll be no need for that.” I smiled wryly.

“And why’s that?” He frowned.

“I’m going to live with you.” I surprised myself when I said it, but I already knew I meant it. I’m not sure if I felt better or worse.