Page 61 of Shine For Me

“Because you were hurt. Because I was worried.”

I laugh. “You mean you had to come so they would get pictures of you rushing to my side. Perfect opportunity for a little image rehab, right?”

And there’s the flash of annoyance, even more clear this time. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Did they get your picture on the way in?” I ask. “There are tons of photographers out front.”

“Of course they took my picture. But that doesn’t mean—”

“Then your work here is done. Your people will be able to push the story that you came to check on me and you’ll have photographic evidence. Good work.” I point at the door. “Now leave.”

“Junie—”

“You don’t actually want to see me, Adam, and I certainly don’t want to see you. So get out of my room. Please.”

His eyes narrow before his gaze shoots over to Fox. “What the hell is going on? Why is he in your room?”

“Because heactuallycame to check on me today,” I tell him. “He actually gave a damn. He didn’t show up just for the press.”

“That is not why I’m here,” Adam snarls. He takes a breath, trying to gather himself, then lowers his voice, like he thinks Fox won’t be able to hear. “I told you in LA, I want to go back to how things were.”

“If you wanted me to believe that, you probably shouldn’t have gotten caught with an intern almost immediately afterward.” I close my eyes, suddenly so tired of all of this that I could scream. “Leave.”

“I’m not going until we talk.” He throws another glare at Fox. “In private.”

“You’re going if she says you are,” Fox says cheerfully. He’s leaning against the wall, legs crossed at the ankles, looking as casual as can be—if you don’t know him. I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time looking at Fox Ransome over the years, and I can pick out the differences. The tense set of his shoulders. The flash of his blue eyes. He’spissed.

“You’re not part of this conversation,” Adam says through clenched teeth.

“I think you’ll find you’re mistaken there.”

Adam ignores him, scowling at me. “We need to talk. We’ve needed to talk for a long time, and you’ve been ignoring my calls. Do you really think that’s a mature way to deal with our problems?”

Fox pushes off the wall, his jaw clenched tight, and I justknowthis is going to be bad. I push in between them, placing a hand on Fox’s chest. “Why don’t you go down to your suite?”

His eyes widen in disbelief. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“I need to have this conversation with him,” I say in a low voice, begging him with my eyes to understand. If I’m going to end this mess with Adam, I need to do it on my own. Having Fox here looking like he’s ready to throw punches at any minute will just make it worse.

“I don’t want to leave you alone with him,” he says in a tight voice.

“I can manage Adam,” I assure him. “And I’ll call you if I need anything.”

He studies my face for a long moment, clearly battling his instinct not to leave me alone with my ex. “I’m right down the hall,” he says in a louder voice, his eyes leaving mine to focus on Adam. There’s a warning in his words and his glare. “I can be here in two seconds flat.”

I pat his chest. “I know. I’ll be fine.”

He gives Adam one last glare and then he’s gone. As soon as the door slams shut behind him I wish I could call him back. I don’t want to spend another minute with the man remaining in my room.

I turn to him, ready for this to be over. “I’m done, Adam.”

He stills. “What do you mean you’re done?”

“I mean I’m done. With all of it. This whole stupid farce. I don’t want to pretend anymore.” I swallow, relishing how good those words feel leaving my lips. “It’s over.”

He stares at me for a long moment before he smiles. “You don’t mean that. You’ve had a long day and—”

“I do mean it. I’m ready to have a life. Don’t you want to have a life?”