Happily Ever After? (Sleeping Handsome Sequel) Read Free Page A

clockwork Zach’s message sits
waiting for me in my inbox. The best part of my day unless it’s a
day we talk on the phone. Today I have two hours to wait until I
call him. Sitting closer, I open the email and drink in his
words.
    Morning Paige,
    Or maybe I should say good
evening?
    How’s my girl? How’s the
nervousness going? Tomorrow will make it a week on the set. Feeling
settled in yet? Your last email did sound more assertive. Just
remember, you are talented that’s why they choose you. Really, I
didn’t go to those plays just because I’m your boyfriend. I also
went because you’re an amazing actor. And I can’t wait to walk down
the red carpet at the premier with you. (Not really looking forward
to the camera shit but hey, you’ll look hot and ecstatic and
between the two, the photo crap will be worth it.)
    I smile. Zach’s my own personal
cheerleader. Although his opinion might be biased, he always helps
boost my confidence.
    I took the job. What can I
say? Its great hours, good money, and walking people through an
hour workout is pretty damn easy. Yeah, I know. I envision your
nose wrinkling at the news. It may take me more than four years to
get my BA working so much, but in the end what’s one more year? A
drop in the bucket of life. I’ll be training over the next week.
The week after I’ll start taking on clients. Then all my financial
issues will be null, which will be a huge weight off my
shoulders.
    One more year is worth
that freedom.
    Ah…I have some other news
I need to share with you. I’d rather do it over the phone. It’s
nothing major. Well, at least to me. But yeah, I’m sure you’ll want
to know. I’m imagining you all stiff looking at the computer. Your
eyes are round and your breath picked up. Just relax, like I said
it’s not major.
    Like always, I’m
anticipation waiting for your call.
    Z
    I fall back into the chair. How could
he just leave me hanging on a string like that? Ugh. Either say it
or don’t bring it up. I’m having trouble imagining what would not
be major to him but I’d want to know.
    They got a new roommate and it’s a
girl? That would not be cool. He’s dropping a class because of the
job? I know why they want him to train. Gorgeous with a body hard
from years of sports he’ll be booked solid. So yes, he’ll have no
financial worries, but he knows how I feel about his education. It
should be the most important thing in his life right now. Even more
important than me. I read his journal to him while he was in a
coma. I know what writing means to him. The boy can’t survive
without words and books.
    More than annoyed I shut his cryptic
email and pace the length of my small sitting room. The big stars
got suites with dining rooms, bars, and huge bedrooms. I got a
sitting room, a medium bedroom, and a small bathroom. Not that I
care about the size of my room, but at the moment the space is
claustrophobic. The modern décor and dark woods feel cold and
oppressive. The vases filled with white flowers even look
impersonal. I check the time. Almost an hour and a half until I can
call him.
    After several hours of wardrobe and
makeup then more than eight hours of filming, I usually eat and
hang out in my room for a couple of hours before going to bed
exhausted. Filming is a lot harder than I thought it would be. The
schedule is so grueling I just work, eat, sleep, and miss Zach. But
today I’m out the door and down the hall.
    Most likely bored out of his mind the
swarthy guard turns around and nods to me. I offer him a weak
smile.
    Zoe Ingram, the costume designer,
invited me for tea to her room more than once. Chatty and bizarre,
she invites everyone to her room. I’ve been so tired I haven’t
taken her up on the offer. Instead of sitting in my room and
getting all worked up over Zach’s email, tea sounds good. Real
good. Actually, I hate tea. Coffee rocks. Tea does not. Yet
anything to get my mind off Zach’s email will taste delicious. And
Zoe’s