Page 115 of Seeking Stars
"Ana," Diana said, her eyes glancing at Coulton, who glared at Ana. "Would you like to chime in?"
Liam studied the agents in front of them for a second or two, before setting his eyes on Ana.
"Did they coach you on what to say?" He asked.
"Not quite," Ana replied. "They dangled bait and told me what they want— they think they're making me choose between you and my career."
She'd expected her voice to tremble, her gut to twist at the words she chose. Instead, she'd found the calm she'd wanted.
"How dare you!" Coulton raised his voice.
"Ana!" Diana called at the same time.
"What are you going to choose?" Liam asked, his voice soft despite Coulton and Diana's energy. His eyes were steady on her, ignoring their agents, waiting for Ana's reply.
Ana put her hand on his arm. "It's not a real choice. The answer is very simple."
"Out! I'll deal with you later!" Coulton tried, reading into her tone, the way her fingers grabbed at Liam. Ana ignored him.
"I love you, Liam. I'm proud of what you're doing, setting boundaries." Liam allowed a short, quick inhale, maybe it had escaped him. His eyes widened and softened an instant later. "I've been trying to get to LA since yesterday morning—
His lips opened into a soft smile. But Diana interrupted anything else they might have said.
"Ana, let's go to my office," Diana commanded.
Ana looked away from Liam to challenge her agent.
"So that you can fire me as a client? No, thank you."
Liam took her hand from his arm, interlocking their fingers together.
"You can't seriously think this is going to last!" Diana told Ana.
At the same time, Coulton talked to Liam. He stood, hands on the table. "You're making a huge mistake. After all I've done? I want us to be the best! I want you to be the very best. Don't throw that away for something as temporary as a romance!"
Liam got up, still holding Ana's hand. Squeezing it tight.
"We'll talk to resolve the pending contracts and discuss an exit strategy," Liam said. "Now I'm leaving with Ana."
"Liam, we have to talk," Coulton tried again.
"Yes, we do, but not now."
"Exit strategy is the wrong term as that's used for—"
"I know what it's used for," Liam said, pulling Ana out of the office. "You're fired, Coulton."
Ana's heart rioted in her chest. She let Liam guide her out of the boardroom, not before Ana took a last glance at their agents— ex-agents. Bubbling joy filled her lungs at the pure shock on their faces, and she smiled— a wide grin in goodbye.
She held on to Liam's arm, whose hand kept on crushing hers. They raced through the office with fast, heavy steps, quickly gaining ground towards the elevator. Liam pressed the button several times with his free hand.
Coulton power-walked to them while they waited for the lift.
"Liam, listen, we can discuss further—"
The doors opened and Ana and Liam stepped in.
"Sure, yeah. We can talk more if you want, but not now. Talk to you on Monday," he added as the doors closed.
