Meant to Be (Forever and Always #12)

by E. L. Todd

  “I’m sure Sean will let me work from my computer and I can travel with you. It’s nice being chummy with the boss.” I winked at her.

  “Okay. This is it. If you have anything left to say, speak now.”

  I didn’t say a word. Instead, I grabbed her face and kissed her. My lips said what my mouth could not. I didn’t want to share Monnique with the world, but I knew I couldn’t keep her hidden forever. She was a beautiful animal that would lose its light and passion if it were cooped up in a cage. It needed to be free. Otherwise, it would wither and die. I knew that the moment we met. She was someone who couldn’t be held back. And I accepted that.

  11

  Hazel

  It was ironic how much I loved dance but hated being around other dancers. They were too superficial, too catty for me to click with. One moment they acted like your best friend, and the next, they were ripping your throat out—from behind. I chose to stay in isolation, concentrating on the movement of my feet then the rumors that emerged from their lips. Sometimes I felt like I was in grade school again, trapped in the hall with their endless echoes.

  When I finally left the theatre, I was relieved to get the hell out of dodge. I came to practice, worked my ass off until my feet bled, and then I left without a word. The director didn’t even know my name. Sometimes, I wondered if he would even notice if I was gone. There would be a hole in the line, and he would be puzzled how it got there.

  The assistant director was immediately attacked by a group of girls as soon as the session ended. Flynn smiled while the girls engaged him in conversation. It was hard not to hurl. As I descended the stairs, his eyes targeted me. He watched me until I reached the last step then walked up the aisle. Even when I left the building, I felt his heated stare. He was probably annoyed that I wasn’t bowing at his feet or seeking his attention.

  Sorry, man. I have too much respect for myself.

  I was so hungry I thought I was going to pass out. I was only allowed to eat lettuce and carrots like a damn rabbit, but I didn’t give a shit at this point. I walked up to a vendor to buy a slice of greasy, fattening, disgustingly delicious pizza, when I realized I didn’t have my purse. I must have forgot to put it in my bag with my shoes.

  God, I was so stupid.

  Now I had to return to the madhouse. Great.

  I practically ran back to the theatre because I had to get there before the doors were locked. If not, I’d have to head to Cortland’s apartment and beg for a place to stay for the night. He’d probably be at Monnique’s, which meant I’d have to hit up Ryan instead. I knew he and Janice wouldn’t mind. But it was still embarrassing to admit I left my purse at work.

  When I reached the doors, I tried to open them but they were bolted shut. I yanked on them hard then screamed. I wasn’t sure what acting like a psycho would do, but I was so annoyed. I’d been having a horrible week. Actually, every week was a horrible week since Kyle dumped me like an old pencil that couldn’t be sharpened anymore. I banged my fists on the door then rested my head against the metal. How did I get this stupid?

  “Hazel?”

  I turned quickly at the sound of the voice. I didn’t recognize it.

  In the darkness, it was hard to see, but a man approached me, wearing a hoodie.

  I wasn’t scared because he obviously knew who I was. We must know each other.

  “You need to get inside?” It was Flynn. When he was close to me, I saw the fair skin of his face. His eyes were blue like Cortland’s, and his hair was in a mess like he just ran his fingers through it a hundred times.

  “You know my name?” I blurted. Why did I have to say that?

  He gave me a crooked grin, and a dimple appeared on each cheek. “I know the name of all my cast members.”

  I needed to retract. “Sorry. I left my purse inside and it has my keys. I’m stranded without it.” Now he thought I was an idiot too.

  “I can help with that.” He inserted his key into the lock and got the door open.

  I thought I’d go in alone, but he followed behind me as soon as I stepped inside. I moved through the lobby then down the aisle toward the stage. He was close behind me, his footsteps almost inaudible.

  “I’ll be just a sec,” I said as I walked up the stairs.

  Flynn sat in a chair in the front row then pulled out his phone. The screen lit up as he wrote a text.

  When I reached the back, I found my purse in the corner. Thankfully, no one stole it. Not that there was much worth stealing. All I valued inside were my keys and driver’s license. I barely had any money in the bank, and I certainly didn’t have any cash. I skimmed through everything to make sure nothing was missing then I headed back into the auditorium.

  “Found it,” I called when I reached the stairs.

  “Glad to hear it.” He put his phone away. “But I doubt anyone in this production would steal.”

  Shows how much you know.

  He stood up, and I noticed his tall height. He was a little shorter than Cortland, but taller than Kyle. I always compared men to my former love interests. It was a bad habit. “Thank you for waiting.” I moved up the aisle, my stomach growling so loud it echoed against the amplified walls.

  “Hungry?” he asked from behind me.

  Damn, he heard me. I decided to pretend I hadn’t listened to his last question.

  When we left through the doors, he locked the entrance. “There’s a pizza place just a few feet away.” He turned the key and checked the lock.

  “Oh, thanks.” I lived in this city for a while. I knew how to find food.

  “Then let’s go.”

  Oh. He was asking me? I thought he was just telling me… I walked right into that one. “Actually, I’m—”

  “A starving artist?” he asked with a smile. “Come on, I’d like to get to know you better. I’ve had a conversation with everyone but you.”

  Because I avoid everyone—on purpose. “I’m okay.”

  “Come on. It’s just pizza.” He stayed a few feet away from me and only pressured me with his words. The hoodie he wore still displayed the muscles underneath this clothes. His forearms were lean and tight, and his legs were thin but toned. When he scratched the back of his neck, his sleeve pulled up and I saw the black ink of a tattoo. “I won’t eat your half if that’s what you’re worried about.” He gave me a reassuring smile.

  This guy was making it impossible to say no. And he was my boss—sorta. I should just do it. If he badmouthed me to the director, I’d be out of a job. There were a hundred people who could take my spot in a heartbeat. “I just had to make sure.”

  “Wise.” He headed up the street, his hands in his pockets.

  I came beside him.

  He was walking unnaturally slow and I wasn’t sure why.

  “Are you hurt?” I asked. I didn’t understand why a guy over six feet would walk as fast as a snail.

  “No. But I know your feet do.”

  Actually, they were killing me. I was glad he was sensitive about it. “Thanks. I’d take off my shoes but I’d probably contract the plague from this dirty city and die.”

  “Sounds about right.” He had a playful look in his eyes.

  I crossed my arms over my chest and moved slowly beside him. Anytime there was a slight bump, I cringed. I was going to have arthritis before I was forty.

  Flynn opened the door for me and let me walk inside first. His chivalry and manners caught me by surprise. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. I guess a conceited prick.

  “Want to split a vegetarian pizza?” he asked.

  “Are you a vegetarian?”

  “No. But I don’t eat meat very often.”

  “Neither do I.”

  “I figured.”

  Could he read my mind? He ordered the food and grabbed two drinks. He handed me a bottle of water and carried his own to the table. Once we were in the booth, I tried not to moan like I was having an orgasm. It was nice to be off my feet. I’d take a taxi home but I just couldn’t af
ford it.

  He smirked. “I’d offer to rub your feet but I can tell you’d say no.”

  Yes. I definitely would. I opened my water and took a sip.

  He drummed his knuckles on the table like he couldn’t sit still. Then he leaned back against the seat. He stared at me, directly at me. When I met his gaze, I expected him to look away but he didn’t. He held it like he was challenging me.

  Uncomfortable with being stared at, even during a performance, I broke the trance and looked at the lid of my water bottle.

  “You’re a very talented dancer,” he said.

  “Thank you.” I knew that was an empty compliment.

  “I’m being genuine.”

  Seriously, could this guy read my mind? “Okay.”

  “Okay?” He smiled.

  “I mean, what?” What the hell were we talking about? I’m lost.

  He chuckled. “When you dance, I know when you’re feeling the moment and when you aren’t. It’s the same look you give when you’re having a conversation with someone. When you feel the moment, your face changes. It relaxes, and your lips upturn slightly. When you’re lost or unmoved, you have a guarded look to you. You’re doing it now.”

  I thought no one paid attention to me but this guy clearly had been watching me. It was freaky. My skin prickled with the revelation.

  “I don’t want you to be intimidated by me.”

  “I’m not,” I said automatically. “Why would I be?”

  “Well, I’m the assistant director. In a way, I’m your boss. You’re afraid to say the wrong thing to me.”

  “Well, I’m not. You should only cast me in a role if you think I’m good for the part, not because we have a good conversation over pizza. And if that is how you judge the quality of the people you choose, I’m not hurt by not being selected.” I didn’t realize how harsh I was being until after I blurted everything out. This guy rubbed me the wrong way and I wasn’t sure why.

  His lips formed a slight smile. “You don’t like me.” It wasn’t a question.

  I didn’t deny the statement.

  “Why?”

  “I don’t really know you.”

  “Yet you know enough to dislike me.” He kept smiling. For someone who was just insulted, he seemed to be taking it really well.

  “You act like you know everything about me, saying you watch me while I dance, but that’s still just a sliver of who I am.”

  “No, I don’t think that’s it. If anything, that was complimentary. I pay attention to you even when you try your hardest to go unnoticed. I understand why that would annoy you, but to make you dislike me, no, that doesn’t sound right.”

  He spoke so properly, like he was highly educated and influential. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not.

  “Now tell me the real reason. Because as far as I’m concerned, I’ve been nothing but a gentleman to you.”

  Fine. “You want me to cut the bullshit?”

  He leaned forward, his smile wider than before. “Please do.”

  “I’m not like the other dancers.”

  “Meaning?”

  “I’m not interested in sleeping with you to get a better position or good networks. I’m here to dance and do a damn good job. So, if you think taking me to pizza is going to lead up to that, you better think again.”

  He rubbed his chin. “And what makes you think I’ve done that with any of the girls?”

  “Please. They swarm you like bees looking for honey.”

  He chuckled slightly. “They do, huh?” He totally loved the attention.

  “Are you denying it?”

  “What?”

  “That you’ve slept with them?”

  “Of, course not. I slept with some of them.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Pig.”

  “Excuse me? What I do during my personal life really isn’t your concern. And I have a strong feeling you don’t even have a personal life.”

  The jab hurt. But what hurt more was how right he was. “Well, that’s not going to happen with me.”

  “I’ve never said it was.” He kept his cool, like he was amused. Anyone else would have been pissed by now. “I’ve never taken one of the girls to eat before. Just you.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because I know you won’t sleep with me.”

  The silence stretched between us. I couldn’t think of anything to say. All my wittiness left my brain. What did that even mean? “Okay, I’m lost.”

  “Is there a possibility that I asked you to pizza because I just want to get to know you better?” His back was perfectly straight and his posture was unbreakable.

  “I guess…”

  “Well, that’s what this is. Now, if you’re done attacking me and insulting me, I’d love to have an adult conversation with you.”

  Man, this guy just put me in my place. Damn it. “Okay.”

  “That’s the closest thing to an apology I’m going to get, isn’t it?” That smile was back.

  “I wasn’t wrong about my impression of you. You’re exactly like I thought you would be. You’re an entitled prick who sleeps with the cast, which is totally unprofessional, so my assumptions aren’t rude or insulting. They are fact. And it would be stupid to assume that behavior wouldn’t be applied to me. I’m not vain enough to assume I would be any kind of exception. So no, there will be no apology.”

  He stared at me for a long time. His eyes were bright and he didn’t flinch. “I like you.”

  There were a hundred things I expected him to say, but that definitely wasn’t one of them.

  “And I’ll prove you wrong. I’m a patient man and I have time.”

  And I didn’t expect that comment either.

  The waiter brought the pizza and set it on the table. Flynn stared at me the entire time, like my face was a TV screen. When the waiter was gone, we ate our food quietly. I was starving so I ate faster than I normally did.

  “You’re actually eating,” he noted.

  “I can only survive off rabbit food for so long.”

  He ate with grace. Crumbs didn’t drop and he didn’t change his posture. There wasn’t a single smudge on his mouth. Me, on the other hand, I was so hungry I didn’t give a damn how I looked. I just trained for ten hours and all I had was water for the entire day. “I think the dancers should eat more. But what do I know?”

  Yeah. What do you know? I ate two slices and wanted to eat a third but I knew I shouldn’t. My stomach would show tomorrow.

  He wiped his fingers with a napkin. “Are you enjoying the production so far?”

  “I love dancing. And I love getting paid.”

  Flynn finished another slice then pushed his plate away. “You don’t like the other girls?”

  “They are bitches.” It flew out of my mouth before I stopped myself. “What I meant to say was…”

  He laughed, a deep sound coming from his throat. His eyes were bright and wider than they normally were. “No need to retract. Your secret is safe with me.”

  I hoped he was a man of his word.

  “And for the record, they are bitches.” He winked at me.

  “You sure don’t seem to mind it when you’re on top of them.”

  “I slept with two girls because I liked them—at the time. When I saw how they treated their “friends” I lost interest. I’m looking for a good girl, someone who’s mature and understands when to separate themselves from work and their personal life.”

  I picked at the crust so I’d have something to do with my hands. “How did you land a position as the assistant director?”

  “I know people,” he said with a shrug.

  “Do you have any experience?”

  “I do.” He eyed me for a moment. “I can tell you have no idea I wrote the play.”

  No, I didn’t. “Oh. You did?”

  He nodded. “Which is why I asked if you liked it.”

  “I mean, it’s great. But honestly, I love dance. I couldn’t care less about the story.”<
br />
  “Well, at least you’re honest about it.”

  “So, who did you know to get this gig?”

  “Tim Robbins.”

  One of the most famous playwrights of our generation? That Tim Robbins? “How do you know him…?”

  “I call him dad.”

  My blood pounded in my ears. “No wonder all the women throw themselves at you.”

  He laughed. “You finally figured it out. It’s not because of my looks or personality. I would much rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not. And you seem to dislike me pretty strongly.” He still had a playful look on his face.

  “Does nothing ever offend you?”

  “My dad taught me to never take myself too seriously. I’ve taken that advice to heart.”

  “Well, that doesn’t mean you should accept every insult that’s thrown at you.”

  He drank from his water. “Believe me, I don’t let just anyone get away with it.” He gave me a knowing look.

  I was starting to think this guy knew more about me than he let on. He seemed like he’d been paying attention to me for a while.

  “I like that you’re honest. When you don’t like someone, you make it pretty clear. You don’t socialize with anyone from work because they all suck. You glared at me this afternoon like you hated me. There’s no beating around the bush with you.”

  “Then why did you ask me to pizza?”

  He shrugged. “I guess I thought you would change your mind. I’m actually a pretty cool guy when you get to know me.”

  “Conceited much?” I asked.

  “I’m just confident. There’s a big difference.”

  “The line looks the same on either side.”

  He finished his water the returned the cap to the lid. “So, you still dislike me?”

  “I still don’t know you…”

  “Would you like to get to know me?”

  Was he asking me on a date? “Um…”

  “Come on. I promise you’ll have a good time.”

  “There’s that cockiness again.”

  “Confidence,” he said. “And I know you have a lot of that too. Another reason why I like you. So, let’s get ice cream next time. You need to fatten up so you don’t die.”