Chapter 4

Laurie-Ann tapped her foot against the floorboard as she waited for the director and producer to come in. She had just gotten the role to play the female lead in a big-budget movie, and she was nervous as hell.

She was meeting the biggest director in the industry, and she was nervous.

“Relax, he is just a person.” My manager said with a big smile.

“I know, but he is the biggest director in the industry. I want to make a great impression.”

“You have the role already.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know,” she wished her Godmother were here with her.

“Do we know who the lead role is going to be again?” 

“Not yet, but we are meeting him today.”

Laurie nodded.

She was excited as she was, this was her second lead role. The first one had gone so well, and had wasted no time in making her a hot commodity in the industry, but she was still nervous.

Her last movie was a mid budget movie, but her acting, and input had shone though, and had made triple the profit.

His phone chimed just then. It was Cullen, her boyfriend, well she wasn't quite sure what they were yet, but she liked him.

“Hey, have a good day, and stop worrying, I can feel your heart beat all the way out here in France. Anyway, break a leg.”

She chuckled, and shot a quick text.

“I hate how you know me so well.” 

The door opened just then, and Laurie-Ann looked up, and she froze when she saw him.

Ethan, her ex husband.

******

Laurie-Ann’s jaw hung low as she stared at the man that had shattered her heat until a million pieces almost two years ago.

She knew sooner or later they would enter into each other's sphere, but she never thought it would be this soon. 

Ethan's eyes met hers, and the room went still.

His eyes widened when he saw his ex wife a couple of feet away from him, face neutral and unmoving.

“Sorry for the delay, guys. We are just waiting for one more person to show up, and we will be ready.” The director's assistant walked in, but Laurie Ann barely heard him, she was staring right at Ethan, her heart beating widely.

She didn't care about him, that much was certain now. He had betrayed her, but seeing him here again, it rattled her.

Just then her personal manager’s phone chimed, and she quickly excused herself out of the room, leaving just Ethan and her.

She swallowed, unsure of why to even say to him.

“Laurie, hey. I didn't…I didn't expect to see you here.” Ethan spoke, walking up to her, and extending her hand

“Hello, Ethan.” She said simply, her demeanor calm like cucumber even though internally, her brain was going swore.

She didn't extend her hands to shake him.

Ethan withdrew his hand, and sat down beside her.

The door opened again, this time with more authority. The director, Christopher Vail, and the producer, Natalie Harris, strode in with a few assistants trailing behind. Everyone immediately straightened up, including Laurie-Ann.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Christopher said with a charming grin. “Traffic was murder.”

He took the seat at the head of the long glass table while Natalie set her coffee down and began pulling out files.

Ethan was seated beside Laurie-Ann, but he might as well have been sitting inside her head with how much his gaze burned through her. She could feel the weight of his eyes tracing her every move, lingering on her face, her neck, her hair.

He couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked. Fuller cheeks, a healthy glow, a confidence that seemed to radiate from her posture. She had always been stunning, but now she looked complete. Stronger. He noticed the faint curve of her stomach, not large, but softer than before. He had seen the gossip headlines, rumors about a baby,.but he hadn’t wanted to believe them. Now, seeing her in person, his chest tightened.

He wanted to ask, Is it ours?

But before he could even speak, Christopher clapped his hands once. “Alright, everyone. Let’s make this official.”

Laurie-Ann blinked, snapping out of her thoughts.

“Ethan Reed,” Christopher said, gesturing to him, “and Laurie-Ann Mason, you two will be leading this project. Our dream duo, and we want you to bring the heat.”

For a second, Laurie-Ann thought she had misheard. Then her heart dropped.

“I’m sorry, what?” she said quickly, forcing a small laugh. “You mean together?”

“Yes,” Natalie said brightly. “The chemistry between you two on-screen will be electric. You’re perfect for these roles.”

Laurie-Ann opened her mouth to protest, but Christopher was already moving on, outlining the filming schedule, the promotional tours, and the shooting locations. She nodded at the right times, but her mind was spinning. This couldn’t be happening.

Ethan said nothing, still staring at her, still thinking about the interview he had watched of her a week ago.

When the meeting wrapped up, everyone began packing their things, but Laurie-Ann couldn’t sit still any longer. She stood abruptly, chair scraping against the floor.

“I don’t think I can do this,” she blurted out.

The room went silent.

Christopher laughed like she’d just told a good joke. “You’re kidding, right? Laurie-Ann, we already announced you as the lead. The press release is going out this afternoon.”

Her lips parted, but no words came out. She simply shook her head, grabbed her bag, and walked out.

Ethan hesitated for a beat, then excused himself and followed her into the hallway.

“Laurie, wait,” he called out. He needed to speak to her no matter what. This was his opportunity to ask her the question that had been brewing in his mind since that interview. He wasn't expecting to get back together. He still has Jane even though their marriage was a little strained now.

Laurie didn't wait for him.

He caught up with her near the elevator. “You can’t refuse this,” he said, slightly breathless. “This project is huge. If you back out now, they’ll blacklist you from every major studio in Hollywood.”

“I’ll take my chances,” she said, turning to face him. Her tone was cool, but her eyes were blazing. “I’ve survived worse than a blacklist, Ethan.” she said pointedly.

He sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “Then I’ll back down instead. They can find another male lead.”

She laughed dryly. “I don’t need your handouts. You don’t get to ‘save’ me, not anymore.”

“Laurie,.just wait,” he said, stepping closer. “We need to talk.”

“About what?” she asked, folding her arms.

“About us,” he said quietly.

“Us?” Laurie-Ann laughed.

She had waited for this day all her life, but not like this.

Before she could respond, a voice cut through the hallway.

“Babe! Sorry I’m late,” Cullen said, jogging toward them, his French accent thick and charming. “Traffic was insane.”

Ethan froze. Laurie’s eyes flicked from Cullen to Ethan, tension filling the space between them.

Cullen leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her cheek, oblivious to the storm brewing beside him. “Are you ready to go?”

Laurie swallowed hard, then turned to Ethan. “There’s nothing left to talk about.”

And just like that, she walked away with Cullen, leaving Ethan standing there, watching the woman he’d lost walk out of his life for the second time.