Page 51 of Forbidden Romeo
Something was really off.
From across the room, I watch Holden hang up his own call, his exhaustion showing through despite his attempt to mask it.
The weight of the conversation lingers in his tired eyes as he takes a moment to collect himself. His fingers twist anxiously around his grandfather's old ring before he swipes them across his weary brow, a subtle gesture that betrays the emotions he tries to hide.
I can sense the weight of the world on his shoulders, the exhaustion etched into every line of his face. But in that brief moment, when he thinks no one is watching, Holden allows himself a glimpse of vulnerability. A deep breath escapes him before he squares his shoulders and turns to face me. The small tilt to his mouth shows an illusion of confidence; of unconcern. But I know better.
Or rather, I know him better than to believe that ghost of a smile.
“Ms. Greene, I’ve got to go. Thanks.”
“Okay, darling!”
I cringe at the terms of endearment I’ve never once heard from this woman and end the call quickly. I don’t know what’s up with the rent situation, but we have other more pressing matters.
"I've got to run to a quick meeting with my dad before rehearsal," he says apologetically.
“Need me to come?”
Holden shakes his head as he slides his phone into his back pocket. “No. It’s with his political analyst team,” Holden adds with a sigh. “They’re not worried about you, me, or the show… only his ratings in the polls.”
I reluctantly nod, my heart aching with conflicting emotions. I wish I could be there for Holden. I wish he would allow me to be there for him. “Of course, go ahead. I'll see you at rehearsal," I reply with an encouraging smile. Holden's shoulders relax slightly in relief.
He grabs his jacket from the back of the chair, giving me a grateful nod.
“Wait!” I stop him before he heads for the door. “Should you call Megan? Warn her about the headlines?”
He lets out a weary sigh. “Yeah, I tried calling her once, but she didn’t answer. They may already be on the subway.”
“Keep trying,” I say, with an encouraging nod.
“I will.” Holden's lips curl into a confident smirk—not a fake one, this time—as he leans down and covers my mouth with his. The touch of his lips against mine sends electricity shooting through my body despite the turmoil of the day. Our kiss is intense, filled with passion and longing, igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume us both. “I’ll see you at the theater,” he whispers, his lips gently lingering on mine. And then, he’s gone, dashing out the door.
I glance at the time, realizing I have about an hour and a half before I need to head over to the theater. I take one last sip of coffee, gathering my things.
As I walk out of the ice cream shop alone, I call Jill back.
I don’t know how that girl finds out things so fast, but it’s like she has a radar set up for when things get rough for me.
Or she has google alerts set up in my name. The latter is probably more logical than some sort of telepathy. She answers before the first ring even finishes.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” she blurts out.
“I’m… I’m fine. I’m barely even mentioned in the article other than being the scorned, forgotten lover. Holden and his dad are freaking out, though. And I can’t imagine Megan’s going to be thrilled. She already seemed hesitant about letting Holden in Jamie’s life. This might push things over the edge.” I pause, pulling my jacket tighter around me as the afternoon sun dips behind the high rise buildings, casting a cool shade. “How’d you find out, anyway? You don’t subscribe to Backstage, do you?”
“Um, no. Nolan told me.”
“Nolan texted you?” I haven’t heard much from Nolan since he quit the show. A few messages here and there, some condolences when my dad died. But that was about it.
“Um. Sort of. He was, um, in the neighborhood when the story broke.”
Mid-stride, I freeze, my lips stretching into a wide grin. “He was in the neighborhood, was he?”
I could sense the blush on Jill’s cheeks without even seeing her face. “Yeah, he, well, he came to the cafe while I was working.”
“Did he now?”
Jill let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes. He did. Can we focus, please? Missy promised you she wouldn’t release that story and she went behind your back and did it anyway!”