Tonya considered Nate anew as her character, donning imaginary glasses that filtered out the fact that he was far too old and too married for a single twenty-something. She focused on the boyish cut of his auburn hair and intense blue eyes, ignoring the scruffy salt-and-pepper beard drawing down his cheeks. She reminded herself of his successful films and the mind that worked behind that forehead, what it was capable of—a godlike power. Nate could create a character perfect for her. He could make her a star.

“Do you want a part in one of my movies?” Nate asked.

“Yes.” The word came out breathless, reflecting the twin desires held by her and the character she was pretending to be.

“Then think about what you’re willing to do.”

“I’ll do anything.” Tonya didn’t know who was speaking anymore. Her? The lustful waitress? They were the same person. No, she told herself. They weren’t. She wasn’t even in the room anymore. There was only the character.

“Whatever you need. Anything. Absolutely anything.”

“I have a room,” Nate said.

Tonya shuddered, the memory of her voice bringing her back to reality. She channeled all her residual shame and anger into the look she shot the man in front of her. “It happened to me. It wasn’t your story to tell.”

Mike reached for her hand. She pulled it into her chest. He couldn’t touch her. She was certain she’d never let him touch her again.

“I felt like it was my burden, though.” Mike scratched at the stubble on his cheek. “I mean, I understand why you didn’t want to come forward. I get not wanting your name dragged through the mud and needing to protect Layla. I know the fact that he helped with Layla’s school complicated things. But once you told me, I knew. And I kept thinking that, unless somebody said something, this predator was going to keep getting away with it. I thought, maybe if I told his wife, she’d hold him accountable in a way that didn’t involve you.”

Tonya wanted to run from the room. She forced herself to stay still, though. Mike was confessing his betrayal for a reason: Her landlord wanted to talk to him. “We both work at Imani’s husband’s restaurant. It doesn’t take much to draw a line from you to me.”

Mike nodded, conceding the point. “That’s why I wanted to discuss it with you before speaking with her.”

Instinctively, her arms crossed over her chest. “Now you want to talk it over.”