“We need more room,” he muttered.

“What are you planning?” Anna reached up to cup his cheek when he looked concerned. “Hey, we’ll be fine.”

“You believe that?” he asked.

“Of course. We made it through this.” She reached up to push back hair that had fallen into his eyes.

He kissed her roughly, pouring whatever it was he couldn’t say into his kiss. For tonight, he was happy to forget.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Anna enjoyed the warm sun on her face. The oppressive summer heat of Los Angeles didn’t bother her.

John had wanted to meet with her as soon as she arrived in town, but she wanted to finish everything having to do with the movie first. Afterward, they would figure out what came next. She hoped whatever it was involved a bed and as much room as John needed. They hadn’t been together in over a week. It had taken longer to wrap things up in Rome than she’d expected, and she was happy to return to Los Angeles.

All she wanted was to go on that date with John. She was ready for a do-over, and as soon as everything involving this movie was done, she would get it. She felt giddy. When was the last time she felt giddy?

Anna climbed the steps to the famed Sunset Boulevard hotel. Dan must have solved Remington’s cash-flow problems. She didn’t care where they met as long as this whole thing was over. They would settle the budget for postproduction and talk about the release schedule, then she would be able to move on.

The concierge directed her to the suite, but not before doing a double take at Anna’s name. Must have seen the article.

Anna approached the room. The congratulatory sounds of clinking drinks and claps on the back assaulted her ears. She recognized Dan’s voice. But then she recognized another voice.

#

JOHN WANTED TO GET this meeting over with. He had no idea why Tom wanted to talk to him in person. The option had expired three days ago. The agent probably wanted to ask for another extension, but John wasn’t going to give him one.

Tom’s assistant had called him that morning. “Mr. Melton would like to meet you—”

“I’m not meeting that asshole anywhere.”

John had to give it to the assistant. The young man persisted as if John hadn’t insulted his boss. “Mr. Melton has a suite at the—”

“I already told you I’m not meeting him.”

“Do you know who you’re talking to? Trust me, this isn’t how this works.”

“Tell your boss—”