I set the sliced grapefruit on the plate and step back. What’s missing? Coffee, orange juice, scrambled eggs, grapefruit…

Salt and pepper.

I head for the spice cabinet and grab the shakers. They’ve just joined the cream and sugar on the table when Charlotte walks in. She’s wearing bright pink pajama bottoms and a tight gray tank top. I try not to stare at her breasts through the thin fabric as she stretches her arms over her head.

She spots me in the kitchen, stops, and begins to turn around.

“Wait!” I throw out a hand and hurry around the counter. Charlotte stops but doesn’t turn around.

I stop a few feet behind her. “I need to talk to you.”

She slowly turns around. “About?”

“Last night…and the past few weeks.” I wrench my fingers through my hair. “I, uh, messed up.”

She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her breasts up. I swallow and motion behind me. “Won’t you sit down?”

She peers around me at the horde on the counter. “What’s all this?”

“My apology. And breakfast.”

“I’d settle for just an apology.”

“Oh.” I frown. “Well, I didn’t think you’d actually let me talk.”

“So you thought you’d trap me with an over-the-top breakfast?” She glances at the counter one more time. “Okay.”

“Really? It worked?”

She shrugs and takes a seat. “I’m hungry. But this doesn’t change the fact that I’m leaving.”

“I’m sorry, Charlotte,” I say walking over to her. “I was an idiot last night—”

“And the past three weeks.”

“Exactly, and it won’t happen again. I’ve just been…” I rub my scruffy jaw “…bored.”

“Bored?” She puts her coffee down and leans back.

“Not with you! Well…I mean it’s kinda that.”

She arches an eyebrow.

“That came out wrong. What I’m trying to say is monogamy is hard for a guy like me.”

Charlotte rolls her eyes and begins to get up.

“Wait, where are you going?”

“I’m not going to sit here and listen to how difficult it is for a man of your caliber to keep it in your pants.”

I throw out a hand and grab her arm. “Let me explain.”

She looks up at me and frowns. “Let go of my arm, Tate.”

“Sorry.” I release her and stand back. “Will you please sit down?”

Charlotte stares at me for a moment and then sits. I take a deep breath and try to get back on track. “Look, I’m bad at apologies. I don’t do them very often and—”

Charlotte laughs. “This is why I can’t stand you! You’re so egotistical and arrogant!”

I shrug. “Comes with the business, babe.”

Charlotte heaves herself out of her chair, grabs her coffee, and stalks away. “I’m going to finish this in my room,” she mutters.

I run after her. “What’s it going to take to make you stay? More money? A gig?”

“I don’t want your money, Tate.”

“Then what?”

I stop as she whirls around, coffee sloshing everywhere. “I want your respect!” She glowers at me for a moment, turns, and then disappears down the hall.

My respect? Have I really been disrespectful toward her?

I stifle a curse as the last few weeks flash before my eyes. Yeah, I’d say “rude” doesn’t really cover it. But I’m not used to waking up and seeing the same girl over and over; of having the same date to every event—hell, of even attending events.

Bottom line: I’m not used to this whole relationship thing. It’s hard work.

I head for the coffee pot. I’m going to need another cup to get through the phone call I’ll need to have with Kevin. He’s not going to be happy that Charlotte is quitting, and honestly, I’m not thrilled either. The thought of starting over with another girl makes me cringe. Plus, dropping a girl this fast won’t do my image any favors.

I’m about to add a splash of cream to the dark liquid when my phone goes off.

Speak of the devil…

“Hey, Kevin,” I say, answering. “I was just about to—”

“What the HELL is wrong with you?”

“Um, good morning to you, too?”

“Not likely, since your photo is splayed all over the damn tabloids this morning. I hope the blonde was worth it, because you’re screwed.”

Shit.

“How did they even get a picture?” I say.

“So you’re not even denying it?”

“No—I mean, yes.” I take a deep breath. “Nothing happened. Charlotte interrupted us, actually, before—”

“You’re joking. Please tell me your girlfriend didn’t see you flirting with a waitress.”

“A caterer…” I mumble.

“Does it sound like I care, Tate?” Kevin yells. “The papers certainly don’t! They’re calling you a cheater and skirt-chaser.”

I grimace. Not good.

“You better believe your image just went from bad to worse,” he continues. “You said Charlotte knows? How is she, then?”

“Um—” I glance at the untouched breakfast “—bad. She wants to leave.”

“She’s one step in front of me.”

I scowl. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that I’m real close to giving you up, Tate. I was about to run an exposé on Charlotte, and believe me, when this comes out, people are going to love her. You’re the bad guy here, not her.”

I snort. “Why? She’s just normal.”

“Exactly. A wholesome UCSB college grad catches the eye of a movie star? It’s every woman’s dream. That, and her tragic past,” Kevin adds.

“Her what?”

“She was in a car crash when she was twelve. Only survivor.”

The blood drains from my face as I clutch the counter top. “Only survivor?”

“Her mom died on impact. Really awful.”

Holy shit.

“I…had no idea,” I breathe. I’ve been a total fool.

“Look, I’ll talk to Charlotte. Maybe more money will get her to stay.”

I shake my head, and then realize Kevin can’t see me. “It won’t work.”

“Well, I’ll think of something,” Kevin says irritably. “But this is really on you, Tate. Fix this. Now.”

The line goes dead. I put down the phone and ease onto Charlotte’s empty stool. Kevin didn’t need to tell me to fix this. I will. No matter what it takes.

* * *

I’m in my room, going over my lines for tomorrow’s scene, when I hear the front door slam shut. I jump up, my heart pounding in my chest. Was Charlotte leaving already? I thought I’d have more time. How’d she even pack so quickly? Her room’s on the other side of the house, but still, I should have heard something.

I run into the living room and let out my pent-up breath. There aren’t any boxes or suitcases lining the foyer, which means she’s not leaving for good…yet.

I’m about to turn back toward my room when the front door flings open. Charlotte rushes inside, dressed in leggings, a purple tank top, and neon yellow Nikes.

“Not today, Wanda,” she moans, dropping her purse on the tile floor. “Just hold on a little longer, baby!”

“What’s wrong?” I ask, walking around the couch.

She stops and frowns at me. “Like you care.”

“I do,” I say in a pained voice.

She glances away. “I’m sorry. I’m just upset.”

“Why?”

“Wanda won’t start.” She throws her head back and groans. “I’m screwed! The last time this happened, the shop said it was the transmission. But the car’s not even worth what they want me to pay!”

I put up a hand. “Calm down, we’ll figure this out.”

“How?” She brushes past me and throws herself on the couch. “This couldn’t have come at a worse time.”

“Where are you going? Do you have a second job or something?”

“No,” she says, tossing her ponytail off her face. “The gym. But that’s not what I meant. I meant…for moving.”

I clench my teeth. Not happening, babe.

I walk back to my room, change into workout clothes, and retrace my steps. Charlotte’s in the exact same position I left her. I nudge her back. “Come on, I’ll drive you.”

She lifts up her face, taking in my outfit change with confused eyes. “What?”

“I’ll drive you until we figure out your car.” I head for the foyer and grab my phone and keys.

Charlotte scrambles up. “Are you working out with me, too?”

I shrug. “Be a waste not to.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.” I open the door and wait for her. “Where is it?”

Charlotte doesn’t move. “It’s really far…and it’s kind of a dump. You’d be a fish out of water there.”

“I doubt it.”

“Honestly! It’s, like, thirty minutes without traffic.”

I frown. “Why are you driving so far when Shape is ten minutes down the hill?”

“Are you kidding?” Charlotte laughs. “First, I can’t afford Shape.”

“You have money now. It’s been a month already, right?”

“Yeah…” she mumbles. “But there’s a waiting list a mile long. Who ever heard of a gym having a waiting list?”

I brush aside her argument. “I’ll get you in.”

“You will?”

“Well I’m not driving an hour out of my way to go to a shitty gym.” I wave her stunned form through the door and lock it behind me. “Besides, I bet Lupo would love another client.”

“Lupo?” Charlotte asks hesitantly, walking with me to the garage.

“My trainer, Lupo Hero.”

Charlotte stops in the middle of the driveway.

“What?”

“First Kevin, then Sandra, now I find out that your trainer is that Lupo?” Charlotte shakes her head slowly. “Do you settle for anything other than the best?”

I purse my lips, tilt my head, and give her my best sexy smirk. “Nope—especially when it comes to girlfriends.”

My comment has the desired effect. Charlotte turns bright red and ducks her head.

“Let’s go, Romeo,” she mutters, rushing past me toward the garage. I hold back a laugh as she throws her bag in the back seat, climbs in, and buckles her seat belt.

Definitely had the desired effect.

Charlotte turns in her seat and scowls at me. “What’s the holdup? Those hunky biceps aren’t going to work themselves, famous guy.”

“Been checking me out, babe?” I tease. I add reattaching the Jeep’s doors to my mental to-do list as I climb in and start the engine.

“Ew. So gross. And don’t call me babe!”

I smile to myself. We’re getting back to our old selves—both of us annoying the crap out of each other.

A few minutes later, I grind to a stop at red light. I glance over at Charlotte to make sure she’s okay, but she’s fine. Her face is tilted up toward the sunlight, her eyes closed and lips parted. She looks relaxed, content, and I want her to stay that way.

“Are you still leaving?” I ask before I can stop myself.

Charlotte’s eyes flutter open and blink in the bright sunlight. “I…don’t know.”

I mask my disappointment. “I am sorry, Charlotte.”

She nods. “I know. But I still need to think about things.”

The light turns green and I ease forward, careful not to lay on the gas pedal too hard. I grip the steering wheel as I focus on the road ahead. I have to make Charlotte stay. I have to show her that she has my respect.

Because if I didn’t, I’d lose it all.