Page 31 of Touch Me

I roll over, only to see that Ryan’s already out of bed.Understandable, since when I check the clock, I see that it’s ten.

The ringing stops, and I wait to see if a voicemail pops up,but it doesn’t. The message notification icon bounces from 10 to 11, though. Ipop over and find a text from Matthew saying that he and Carson are on theirway. They’ll be at my house by ten-fifteen.

What the bloody fuck?

I groan, then slide on some leggings and a tank top, splashwater on my face, then run a brush through my hair. And that’s about as good asthey’re going to get.

I use my phone to see that Ryan—or, at least his phone—is atStark Security. No big surprise there. But it means that he’s not here to playhost while I take a few minutes to feel human.

I head barefoot to the kitchen, then stare into therefrigerator, only deciding on a yogurt cup when the doorbell rings. I frown.I’d assumed I’d have a heads-up when they called from the gate we share withDamien. But I forgot that Matthew has the code.

With one part curiosity and one part dread, I hurrydownstairs. I can’t think of a single reason they’d come over this early. Andto me, that means bad news.

I know the second I open the door that I’m right. Both oftheir faces are tight with fury, and it’s easy enough to see that it’s notdirected at me.

“The fucking studio,” Matthew says as I usher them in.

“What are you talking about?”

“The studio is demanding we fire you,” Carson tells me,making the yogurt curdle in my gut.

“But they can’t. I mean, isn’t it against the law to firesomeone because they’re pregnant?”

“That’s not why they’re firing you,” Matthew says, pacing.“Or, rather, why they’re making me fire you.”

“Then why?” I feel numb. Lost. And very confused.

“Apparently, you’re not right for the part.”

“Excuse me?”

“Fucking Bryan Raine,” Carson says. “The studio’s goldenboy. He got ahold of the rehearsal vids, and then he took them to the studio.”

“The rehearsals went great,” I say, still utterlybewildered. “And those rehearsals weren’t with him, anyway.”

“That’s the point. It’s all about how the suits wanted himas the male lead. How he shares the studio’s vision. And that vision justdoesn’t jibe with your interpretation of the role with an actor who’s no longeron the film.”

“That conniving, egotistical little prick. He can’t dothat.”

“He did,” Matthew says. “We got official orders to fire youfor not being suitable for the role. The termination provision is sweet—you’llget a nice check—but we’re stuck. I’ve already talked with the studio lawyersand my attorney.”

“But I’m totally suitable. I’m perfect.”

“You are,” Carson says. “We all know damn well why he’sdoing this, but we can’t prove it.”

“Because I’m pregnant.”

“That. And because he wants to bring his girlfriend in.”

“Annalise Vail,” I say. “Like she’s suitable for any role.The woman can’t act. Did you see her last film?”

“I did,” Matthew said. “For some inexplicable reason, BryanRaine has some pull at this studio.”

“I could sue. It can’t be that hard to prove the realreason.”

“You could try. And you’d probably win. But the studio wouldjust kill the movie. You’d have cash, but no film.”

“Fuck.”