“I’m not a kid anymore. I’m a fully grown woman who wants to take control of her own life and career.” She met his gaze as the car drew to a halt. “Will you at least think about what I’ve said?”
He pointed at the door. “I told you there would be cameras. No one’s seen you for a month.”
“Great.” Silver put on her sunglasses, straightened her skirt, held her designer purse so it could be seen in the photos, and advanced toward the entrance. She blinked as a volley of cameras clicked and flashed, and kept her smile fixed firmly in place.
“Where’ve you been?” one of the men yelled. “We missed you!”
Her father came up alongside her, took her arm, and guided her through the narrowing gap into the building. “Gotta go!”
In the lobby, a group of people gawked and whispered as she was ushered past. It was the first time she’d been out in public since being at the ranch, and she felt way too exposed. Everyone knew who she was here. No one thought she worked at the bank or the doctor’s office, like Ben’s dad had thought, or made an effort to treat her like she was a normal person. Not that she’d been very good at that. Ben Miller had seen right through her.
She’d get through the audition, decide for herself whether she really wanted to be stuck in the routine of filming a TV show, and get back home as soon as possible.
Drew Zarek, the producer of the show, met her at the studio door.
“Hey, beautiful! So glad you could come in to read for us today! How’ve you been?”
“Great, thanks.” Silver had worked with Drew before. He was a decent guy who had never made a pass at her, which made him a rarity in her business. “How about you?”
He made a face. “Just broke up with Madera so if you need an escort for anything, let me know. I’m free.”
They’d kept each other company on several occasions when a partner was required, and she was glad he’d made the offer.
“Sorry about that, but I’ll definitely keep you in mind.” Silver found her script and followed him into a room where three people sat behind a table with one empty chair.
“Hi, everyone.”
Drew took his seat and the guy next to him looked Silver up and down. “Don’t you think she’s looking a bit old for this part, Drew? Maybe we should have her read for the mother instead.”
Silver raised an eyebrow. “Who have you cast as your leading man again?”
“Tex Calmundo,” Drew told her.
“He’s ten years older than I am. If he’s supposed to be my love interest that’s a big enough age gap.”
“But Tex looks twenty.” Obnoxious Oscar wasn’t giving up. “He needs someone in their teens to play off.”
Silver let out a long, slow breath as the four of them started arguing. She didn’t need this job, and she was sick and tired of all the bullshit.
She walked up to the table and carefully placed her script in front of Drew.
“I don’t have time for this.”
Drew’s head came up. “I beg your pardon?”
“If you want me to play this part, let me know, okay? I’m not going to stand here like a piece of meat with no feelings while you discuss how old I look.”
“Silver...” Drew shot to his feet.
“Have a great day!” She smiled, turned around, and walked out, aware of the silence behind her that swiftly developed into a shouting match the moment she closed the door.
Her dad, who was chatting with Drew’s personal assistant, looked up as she came toward him.
“That was quick. How did it go?”
“Really well.” She gestured at the door. “Can we get going? I have another audition in two hours.”
* * *
Ben hastily put his phone away as Adam called him for dinner. He’d been staring at a picture of Silver going into one of the television networks. She’d looked beautiful and was smiling like she didn’t have a care in the world. But why shouldn’t she? She was back in her natural habitat and had probably forgotten all about him and Morgan Valley.
He’d spent way too many restless hours going over what he’d said to make her leave and wishing he could have a do-over. But even in his most selfish moments he still knew he’d done the right thing.
He went into the kitchen where, for a change, everyone was present for dinner. Daisy had just returned from Silicon Valley