sorbet sandwiches. But as Aubrey turned to walk back, something stopped her cold.
“Landon, do you have a minute?” The voice belonged to the director.
“Sure. What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to speak with you about some concerns.”
She heard footsteps, and their voices drew closer. They had moved into the hallway leading to the kitchen, on the opposite side of the wall from where Aubrey was standing.
In a hushed tone, Stan said, “There are some rumors circulating among the crew. Of course, I’m always the last to hear, aside from the star of the gossip.”
“The suspense is killing me.” Landon’s words remained light, but tension underscored them. “Just spit it out, will you?”
“Some of the crew have been talking about your uncomplimentary review of Aubrey’s bakery and why you flipped your opinion by casting her for the show. They’re speculating your change of heart has something to do with your sleeping arrangement. Some of the jokes are turning bawdy.” He continued when Landon remained silent. “If their gossip gets out, it wouldn’t be good for the show and would be disastrous for your reputation.”
“Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Perhaps you and Aria could run a refresher course on professionalism and discretion.” She hardly recognized Landon’s voice when he spoke. It was so tightly controlled, she couldn’t find a hint of her Landon in it. “They’re industry professionals who have signed nondisclosure agreements. They should know better than to spread rumors.”
“If there is no truth to the rumors, I suggest as a friend that you cut ties with Ms. Choi immediately,” Stan said solemnly.
“Thank you for your concern, but there is no truth to the rumors. Aubrey Choi is a talented baker that I casted for the good of the show. Apart from that, she is nothing to me.”
The blood drained from Aubrey’s face, and the tray in her shaking hands tilted precariously. She couldn’t hear the rest of their conversation over the ringing in her ears. She is nothing to me. Her heart trembled and shrank back, searching for the safe place where even her father’s disdain and indifference couldn’t hurt her. But it was gone. She’d let Landon in too deep, and there was no place to hide.
Nothing? She meant nothing to him? Did he want to keep her around as his dirty little secret?
No.
Landon would never do something like that. He would never treat her like a plaything to be used and cast aside. She wouldn’t give up on their relationship based on one overheard conversation. He cared about her and respected her. Aubrey knew that. She trusted him. And she would not crumble in front of the people who believed she would peddle her body for a step up in life.
Her pride and iron will reasserted themselves in full force. She had to pull herself together. Though the ringing in her ears receded, the shock left her limp and nauseous, but she’d crawl across a bed of rusty nails before she would let anyone see that. Filling her lungs with air, Aubrey returned to the kitchen with slow, measured steps.
“Whoa. Careful with these. It’d be a tragedy to waste them.” Landon appeared at her elbow and took the tray from her limp hands. When he got a closer look at her, his smile froze on his face. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.” She shook her head to clear it. “When did you get here?”
“A few minutes ago. Just in time for dessert.” He was smiling again, but he still watched her warily. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Not really. I’m beat.” Landon wouldn’t believe her if she kept insisting everything was okay.
“Let’s go back to the villa, then.”
“Actually, I want to lie down for a few minutes.” A little time and space should restore her equilibrium. “Can I use one of the guest rooms?”
“Of course,” Landon said, gently cupping her elbow. Aubrey flinched away from him, and confusion and hurt clouded his expression.
“Sorry,” she said with a tense smile. “We need to be more careful in public.”
* * *
Landon put down the tray on the counter, and the crew swarmed around it like zombies dog-piling a human body. Fucking pieces of shit. The sight of them devouring Aubrey’s ice cream sandwiches was vulgar. Even an imbecile could taste the genius in her creations. They didn’t deserve her desserts.
He had to protect Aubrey.
Unless they wanted their careers to crash and burn, the crew wouldn’t dare violate the nondisclosure agreements and publicly spread derogatory statements involving