Dax puts an arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer. He kisses the side of my neck. “Will you come in?”

I chew a corner of my lip as I look into his eyes, hesitant to accept the invitation to sleep at his place.

We had spent a long evening at an AIDS gala and I’m exhausted from tiptoeing around him. After our argument at the restaurant four days ago, he hasn’t brought up the topic of my career again or the fact that he was flying me to Vienna. He must have canceled the trip, which is a relief. But I feel uncomfortable around him these days, as if I can’t breathe anymore It makes me uncomfortable that he doesn’t want to discuss something as important as my career.

In the eyes of the public, we are a happy couple about to be married. We kiss, hold hands, and have lots of passionate sex, but below the surface something no longer feels right between us. Nothing will be fine until he learns to respect my work. I don’t need his permission, but what kind of marriage would we have if I can talk about anything but what I love to do? Or maybe the fact that he hasn’t said anything means that he has given up on wanting me to quit.

He better be on board because I promised to tell Curtis my decision by tomorrow at the latest.

I’m exhausted after being busy all day with filming a makeup commercial, being interviewed, and attending the AIDS gala. Dax would want to make love to me and I’m not in the mood. But maybe it’s a good idea for me to sleep over tonight. We need to talk. I need to know where he stands once and for all. We cannot enter a marriage when we’re unable to communicate.

“Okay.” I reach for the door handle. “I’ll come in.”

Inside the private glass elevator that leads to his penthouse, he kisses me hard. “I miss you so much.”

I pull back and gaze into his eyes. “Why? I’m here.” I know what he means. I haven’t slept over since our fight.

“It doesn’t feel that way.” He nuzzles my ear as the doors open.

When we enter his apartment, I’m expecting him to rip my clothes off and get down to business. Instead, he goes to the bar and pours himself a drink. He strides to the floor-to-ceiling windows—overlooking the city, a glass in hand—and gazes out into the night.

“Are you all right?” Only moments before he was all over me, kissing me, telling me he misses me and now he’s turning his back to me.

“I’m fine. Go up. I’ll come up in a bit.” He continues to look out at the city lights. “Make sure you’re naked when I come to the room.”

“Don’t be long. We need to talk, Dax.”

“Later.” I flinch at the annoyance in his tone.

I head to the stairs, feeling heavy somehow.

Inside the bedroom, I step out of my black and white chiffon and lace gown with a beaded bust, and wait for him.

First sex, then we’ll address the elephant in the room. Half an hour later, Dax is still downstairs. I want to go down to see what he’s up to, but I don’t have the energy. It’s already a struggle to keep my eyes from drifting shut.

As I lay back on the luxurious jacquard linen, I’m just about to sink into sleep when I remember that I promised to call Curtis. There’s no point in waiting any longer. I already made the decision anyway and I shared that decision with Dax. Since he hasn’t brought it up again, he must be okay with it.

I remove my phone from my purse, grab a bathrobe, and head to the bathroom, where I dial Curtis’s number.

“I’ve made a decision,” I say to Curtis, lowering myself onto the closed toilet seat. “I want to audition for Dancing Lights.” The moment the words come out, I know it’s the right decision. I want this so bad.

Curtis is thrilled as I knew he would be.

After the call I remove my makeup and brush my teeth. Done, I step out the door only to jump back in surprise.

Dax is standing on the other side of the door, his hair pointing in all directions from him running his fingers through it, his bowtie loose but his jaw tight. The look in his eyes tells me he listened in on my conversation with Curtis.

“You lied to me.” I detect a slur to his voice. He clearly had a little too much to drink.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I tighten the belt of the robe and push past him into the bedroom. I sit on the bed, legs crossed.

“You were talking to Curtis Richerson.”

“Yes, I was.” My tone is sharp, I have nothing to feel guilty about. “He’s my agent. I talk to him a lot.”

“You lied when you said you’ll quit acting. From what I heard you telling him, it doesn’t seem that way.” Dax remains at the bathroom door.

I jump to my feet and cross my arms. “I said no such thing, quite the opposite actually.” I step around him to enter the bathroom to get my phone. “I love acting and it’s what I love to do.”

“The only thing you will do is me.” Dax removes himself from the doorway and stomps into the room.

I remain in the bathroom for a long time, both confused and furious with him for thinking he can control me. I won’t allow him or anyone to stop me from chasing my dreams.

Maybe it was a mistake coming to his place after all.

I storm out of the bathroom. He’s already sleeping. At least I think he is, as he’s facing the other way and snoring softly.

Unable to be around him any longer, I get dressed again and walk out of his home. I’m glad he doesn’t try to stop me.