“You really are an idiot. He can destroy your career. You screwed me over for nothing. I cannot believe. I... I begged—” Her voice caught. She clenched her fists until the nails bit into her skin, the pain keeping her grounded. “I groveled before him... I did that for you. I swore I would never ask him for anything, not a thing. I did that for you.”

Her voice shook, and her heart pounded. She’d never asked Tom for anything, not when he’d offered her a dream career and more money than she knew what to do with. She’d never debased herself before him. But she’d given up her pride for a naive screenwriter who was still looking at her like he didn’t understand.

“I was going to tell you everything.”

“Before or after you screwed me over? Wait. It was after.”

“Anna, I’m trying to explain.” He reached for her arm, but she moved away before he could hold her.

She couldn’t bear his touch. “There’s nothing to explain.”

John clenched his fists. “I’m trying to tell you that your ex-husband used me.”

“It worked out pretty well for you. You got a movie deal, and you got laid.”

“You actually think...”

Anna chewed her lip. “Don’t tell me you didn’t like all that running around.”

John’s eyes narrowed. “You treated me like some bartender that wasn’t worthy of your award-winning ass.”

“I never—how dare you!”

He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’m asking you to let me explain.”

Anna jerked back. “You lied to me, you helped my ex-husband destroy my career, and you did it all to get a movie made. I used to wonder how you’d survive in this town, but I underestimated you.”

His mouth fell open in shock. “I was used by your ex to get back at you, but I’m the bad guy? Are you fucking kidding me? You were happy to fall into my bed, but every time I wanted to have a conversation, all of a sudden, you didn’t have any goddamn time.”

“You’re a fool who has survived your easy life on your good looks.” Her cheeks felt wet, and she couldn’t stop the words. “You better run after him, or you’ll have done it all for nothing.”

Anna walked out of the hotel suite, leaving John with his head in his hands.

Chapter Thirty-Seven