“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said woodenly, not brave enough to ask what had caused them to make that decision.

“Things are just in flux now with Streamflix deciding to shelve the show.” I opened my mouth to ask her what the hell she was talking about, but instead I snapped my head up to look at Theo and saw everything clearly. Yazmin was still talking and with effort I made myself listen to her. “I’m sorry this is happening. I think you’re brilliant, and the library is truly inspired.”

“Thank you,” I said through the knot in my throat.

“Alba, I think your ideas and your work are phenomenal and it was a pleasure collaborating with you. I think you’re on the cusp of something huge with your bookish concept, truly fucking genius.” A little flicker of pride burned in my chest, even as my hands shook from the bomb Yazmin had dropped on my lap in the last minute. My head swam as I tried to make sense of what was happening. The show was not happening, apparently. After I’d put everything on the backburner for it. Did Theo know? “On a personal note—” Yazmin’s words gave me respite from whatever was about to go down between me and the man I loved “—I just wanted to let you know I’ve turned in my resignation to Smithson-Napa, and plan to start my own company very soon. So please stay in touch.”

“Oh,” I responded in surprise. I can’t say for sure what I said next. But as soon as I ended the call, I walked over to Theo, my body thrumming with adrenaline, feeling sick with the knowledge that the opportunity I thought would change everything for me was gone. Gone in a matter of days.

“How long have you known?” I gritted out, hating that my voice sounded clogged. That my vision was blurry from unshed tears.

“I didn’t want to worry you,” Theo pleaded, his hands in front of him in supplication.

“By keeping things from me?” I yelled, furious at Theo’s high-handedness. This was so like him, to just assume he knew better.

“One of the crew members took a video of Chase being an asshole to one of the families. They threatened to go to one of the gossip sites with it.”

I should’ve known this was where this would end. “From the moment I met Chase I knew he would do something this fucking stupid.” I didn’t even know who I was telling this to, Theo, myself, the fucking universe. “But I kept my blinders on, telling myself the opportunity was too good to walk away even though everything in me told me that something about that man wasn’t right.” Theo made a pained sound, and when I glanced up at him, he looked like he was going to be sick. “You should have told me, Theo.”