“I’m sorry.” He took my hand. “That didn’t come out how I meant it to. I realize what he put you through. How much courage it took to ever look at him again. You’re strong, Zee.”

“I’m not,” I said, staring at my menu.

“Look at me.”

I met his gaze. His eyes were so beautiful. And so kind.

“Let me help. I need to. I know giving you things doesn’t make up for what he did to you. What you’ll always have to live with. But it’s all I have, and I want to do it.”

His hand was so big and so warm. I felt comforted—comforted in a way I hadn’t felt since…

Maybe ever?

I certainly never got comfort from my mother. When she couldn’t live out her showbiz aspirations through me, she kind of wrote me off. My father was never in the picture. I couldn’t pick him out of a lineup.

Just when I was going places, had my college all set up…

Derek Wolfe had happened.

Then my spiral into drugs.

When I’d finally seen the light, I’d gone to Derek Wolfe. I’d had no choice. I needed money to pay off my rehab debt and start anew.

The sad fact? Reid was right. I should have asked for more. I could have gone public with my story. I could have ruined Derek Wolfe.

Why hadn’t I?

I remembered so little about the actual negotiation. Derek had an attorney, of course, and I didn’t.

Somehow, I got talked into…

It was all a muddle. I tried not to think of certain times in my life, and that was one of them.

“Okay,” I finally said.

“Okay…?”

“I’ll go to the appointment.”

A wide smile lit up his face, making him even more gorgeous. “Great! Four hours for whatever you want. Hair, nails, facial, massage. You name it.”

“I’m not sure I have four hours. My call’s at three.”

“Then you can go back another time for the rest.”

“It’s all very generous of you. Thank you.”

Reid started to say something, but our server interrupted him.

“Are you ready, Mr. Wolfe?”

Reid gestured to me. “Zee?”

I quickly scanned the menu. I hadn’t really given it a look. “I’ll have the yogurt parfait, please.”

“That’s all?” Reid asked.

I smiled. “After I overate last night, it’s all I can afford today. I have to fit into my costume tonight.”

He didn’t push. “I’ll have the eggs benedict with a side of fresh fruit.”

“Very good.” The server rushed away.

After our coffee cups had been refilled, Reid’s phone buzzed. “I’m sorry. I have to take this. Do you mind?”

“Of course not.”

“Thanks. Excuse me.” He rose and walked outside the restaurant.