Inside my new Volvo XC90, I let out a long breath. Then guilt hits me in the gut immediately because I feel relieved to be away from Dax. But why? Why did I feel as though I was holding my breath when I was around him? We are engaged now. Being with him should be the highlight of my day. I do love him. But if I’m being honest, when I’m around him, I sometimes forget how to breathe. I used to think that it’s because I’m so in love with him that he takes my breath away.

“Pull yourself together, Emma.” I yank myself from my thoughts and focus on the road ahead. “You love Dax. He’s the man of your dreams, remember?”

He’s the man I choose, the man I see in my future, the man I want to wake up next to for the rest of my life. There’s a part of me that’s terrified by him, especially after last night and this morning, but there’s another part that would feel lost without him.

In an attempt to drown out my thoughts, I switch on the radio and allow the sound of pop music to fill the car. Just as I start to sing along, my cell phone rings. It’s Curtis.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll be a little late. I need to stop by my apartment to let my handyman in. I need him to fix a few things.”

“That’s okay. But now that you’re a big star, you should think about getting a new, fancy place.”

“Maybe I should.” I frown. His comment surprises me. Surely he must expect me to move in with Dax once we’re married.

“Did you sleep over at Mr. Pierce’s place to celebrate your big night?” There’s a slight edge to his tone of voice.

“Something like that.” I’m not going to get into it with Curtis. Before last night, Curtis was one of the few people who knew about my relationship with Dax, and he never hid the fact that he didn’t like him. He kept telling me that there was something about Dax he didn’t trust. I made it clear to him that he didn’t have to like him since he’s not the one dating him. But since Curtis is one of my closest friends in Hollywood, it would have been nice if he respected my relationship at least.

“Why do I get the feeling that you want to be unkind to Dax again?” I slow down and stop at a traffic light.

“I don’t have an unkind bone in my body.” He chuckles. “Anyway, we need to discuss that engagement of yours.”

“What’s there to discuss?” The light turns green and I drive forward.

“I think you made a mistake.” He clears his throat. “But I’m sure you know that already. Let’s talk about it when you get here.”

“Curtis, what do you mean I made a mistake?”

“Relax. I’m not telling you not to marry the man, even though I wish you wouldn’t, but I would have waited a while before announcing the engagement. Your engagement kind of overshadowed your success.” He pauses. “I’m sorry if this hurts you, but you know me. I’m just being honest. You know I always tell things as they are.”

“Look,” I say, my blood boiling. “Let’s talk about this over breakfast.” Now I understand why he seemed distant at the awards last night.

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

***

“ARE YOU HAPPY?” CURTIS lifts his cup of coffee to his lips. “Be honest.” He looks different from the man at the awards. Instead of hair tamed to perfection with gel, and dressed in a black tux, he’s back to looking as though he just got out of bed. The look suits him though.

I push away my plate, empty of the eggs Benedict I had enjoyed so much. “Why do you ask me that?”

“I’m your friend. I want to know if you’re happy, Emma. Really happy.”

“And you want me to say I’m not, don’t you?” I take a sip of cranberry juice.

“Just answer my question.” His voice is deeper now and his eyes are dark as they pierce through me.

When I don’t respond, he fills in the silence. “The fact that you won’t answer is kind of an answer.”

“What do you expect me to say? I just got engaged. Of course I’m happy with Dax. I agreed to marry him.”

“Many people agree to marry without really being in love. I hope you’re not one of them.” He lowers his coffee to the table and leans forward.

I shake my head. “I know you don’t like Dax, but he’s my future. He’s the man I chose.” I let out a sigh. “Curtis, I know.”

“You know what?” He tilts his head to the side.

“I know that—”

“That I love you?”

The blood drains from my face. I suspected he had feelings for me. I’d seen it in the way he looked at me sometimes but I didn’t think it came to love.

“I never hid it from you.” He places a hand on mine only for a brief second before he moves away, but he leaves my skin feeling warm. “Don’t look so freaked out, Emma. I care about you a lot and, honestly, I think you would be better off with me than Dax Pierce. The guy is notorious for breaking hearts.”

I drink more juice to moisten my dry throat. “People change. Dax has changed. We both know that he has never come this far in a relationship before. He has never asked any woman to marry him . . . until me.”

“You make a good point. So, you’re saying you’re happy with him then?”

“If I said I’m not, what would you say?”

He gives me a grin that makes him look like a naughty boy. “I’d tell you to get the hell out and give me a shot.”

I laugh out loud just as my phone rings. It’s Dax. I’ll call him back after I leave the restaurant. I fold my arms in front of my chest. “I’m pretty sure you didn’t call me here to convince me to break off my engagement. Let’s talk business.”

“We’ll get to that. Let me just say one last thing.” He pauses. “I find it weird that he proposed to you just as your career was about to take off.”

“I don’t get what you’re trying to tell me here.” A cloud settles on my heart. My phone rings again but I still don’t pick up.

“What if Dax is threatened by your success. Come on, the man asked you to marry him a few days before the Opal awards, your big day. I may be wrong, but it’s almost as if he was trying to steal your thunder somehow.”

My mind instantly takes me back to last night. After the award ceremony, reporters had surrounded me, congratulating me on my success. Each time, Dax had steered the conversations to our engagement. Could Curtis be right?

My stomach twists. “That’s ridiculous and you know it. He’s more successful than I am. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even be in Hollywood. He was the first person to tell me I’m worth more. He was the one who encouraged me to go to my first audition back in Mistport. You know the story.”

“Yeah, you did tell me everything about how you met. Maybe you’re right.” He shrugs. “All right, I’ll let it go. If Dax Pierce really makes you happy, I’m happy for you.” He squeezes my hand. “But if you ever change your mind, I’m here. You still have time to think about it before you tie the knot.” He pauses. “So, when is the big day?”

“We haven’t really talked about it yet. I’ll let you know once we decide.” I should answer his first question, tell him that I am happy with Dax, but something is stopping me. My mind says I am, but my heart is a little heavy right now. Something feels different and I have no idea what it is. “I hope you’ll come to my wedding.”

“I’d love to be there for you. But I doubt Dax would like me there.” He pushes a hand through his hair. “You know what, enough about weddings. We have other important stuff to talk about. But I would encourage you to get married later rather than sooner because you’re about to become one busy woman. After the awards, many people are interested in working with you. You have many offers coming in for movie deals, high-end commercials, even music videos. You’re very hot right now, Emma Stanton.”

“I did it?” My face lights up and the invisible cloud hovering over my head drifts away.

“You absolutely did. You have arrived. And your success has nothing to do with Dax.”

“I appreciate you saying that.” As much as I want to give Dax credit for getting my career started, I worked my butt off to get to where I am. He opened the door for me, but I was the one who walked through it.

I rub my hands together. “Come on, tell me who wants to work with me.”

Curtis pulls a folder from his briefcase and lays it on the table, flipping through it. He reads out loud the names of major and minor movies that producers said I’d be a perfect fit for. “But I think Dancing Lights is the one for you.” He places a sheet of paper in front of me. “It’s time you took on a leading role in a movie.”

I reach for the piece of paper. “You think I could do it? This is a major film. I’ve heard of it.”

“Yep, the movie is inspired by Maria Adamson’s rise to fame and her tragic end. Given how famous the girl with the magnolia tattoo was, it will be huge and it will make you famous. I think you’ll be great at playing her.” He clasps his hands. “They had cast someone for the role, but after shooting a few scenes, they were not happy. Now they want to recast. If you get the role, which I know you will, you’ll probably start working a few days after.”

Maria Adamson was a well-known actress who committed suicide, four years ago, when she was at the height of her career. She was referred to as the girl with the magnolia tattoo because she had a beautiful magnolia tattooed above her left ankle.

“But I’m sure there are many actors who are dying to have the role.” My fingers grip the page tighter.

“But it’s you they like. You’ll still have to audition, of course, but I’m sure you’ll get the part. They think you’re most like her, small-town girl chasing fame in Hollywood.”

“Except for the fact that she died.”

“Unfortunately there are many Hollywood stars who can’t handle fame. She was one of them.” He runs a hand through his already messy hair. “But this could be a chance to get your hands dirty. It gives you a break from the sweet and romantic stuff. Dancing Lights will be raw and deep. Those are the kinds of roles that stick, the kinds that win awards.” He forms a steeple with his fingers. “Last night was just the beginning. You can be so much more. It’s time to stop playing small. You deserve to be seen for the talented actress that you are.”

A smile tips one corner of my lips. “There’s nobody who believes in me more than Curtis Richerson, is there?”

“No one.” He slides all the papers my way. “Have a look through the scripts. I think Dancing Lights is for you, but of course you get to make the final decision. It’s your career.”

“Thanks, Curtis. I’ll think it through and let you know. Let’s meet up for lunch again soon so I can tell you what I decide.”

“Sounds good. While you’re at it, make sure Dax will be able to handle your success. One of these days you might just outshine him.”

“Very funny.” I laugh out loud. “The man wrote a best-selling book that was turned into a movie he acted in. And I’m just a little star in the skies of Hollywood.”

“No. You are a bloody good actress.” Curtis leans forward as though he wants to whisper something to me. “I have to be honest with you, Emma. Unlike many people around here, I don’t consider Dax to be a great actor. Yes, he wrote the bestseller, but I’m pretty sure he snaked his way onto the movie screen. In my opinion, he doesn’t have real talent. He looks too robotic on screen. But you? You are a natural.”

I shift in my seat. “You’re talking about my fiancé, Curtis.”

He lets out a long breath. “I’m sorry. I can’t help myself. That guy rubs me the wrong way.”

“That guy will be in my life for a long time. If you want us to continue working together, you’re going to have to find a way to get along with him. I don’t want to have to choose between you two.” I pause. “You don’t have to accept my relationship, but I need you to respect it.”

“You’re right. I was out of line. I will not bring Dax up again.” He puffs out a breath. “But only because I don’t want to upset you.”

I let out a resigned sigh. I know it’s only a matter of time before he gets started on bashing Dax again. “Back to work. Do you have any interviews lined up for me?”

“Quite a few actually. You should expect your phone to ring off the hook in the next few days.” He gestures for the waiter to bring the check, then picks up my phone from the table and shows me the screen. “Look, so many missed calls already.” He puts down the phone again, screen up this time. “You have an interview with Morning After magazine tomorrow. You know they don’t interview just anyone.”

“I’m honored.” I pick up the folder and my phone from the table and rise. “I need to go. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

As soon as I step out of the restaurant, a call comes in. It’s Dax. I wait until I’m inside my car before calling him back, guilt gnawing at my insides.

“Where are you?” He asks as soon as I say hello, his voice sharp around the edges.

“I just left the restaurant. I was having breakfast with Curtis, remember?”

“I don’t give a damn who you were with. When I call, I expect you to answer. Unless you’re on set.” My stomach drops when he hangs up before I can respond.