Page 77 of Keeping Mr. Right Now
Julia sniffled. “Thank you. How are you? How’d the screening go?”
He cleared his throat. “I’m great, and the screening couldn’t have been better.” Reviews of the film had been amazingly positive, and the fans seemed in awe.
“Sounds like it’s been a nice ending to your film career.”
“Yeah. It definitely was.” No one besides those closest to him knew thatIsolated Warriorswas his last film. He almost hadn’t done this one, what with the time it took on top of his regular schedule.
“And how’s Sophie?”
He took a sip of his coffee. If he hadn’t made the film, he wouldn’t have met Sophie. “She’s great, too.” Maybe better than great since he’d had his way with her all night and this morning.
“I really liked her.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty likable.”
“Zaaaane.”
“Why are you Zaning me?”
“Why do you think I’m Zaning you?”
“To annoy me?” he teased. Or tried to. He wasn’t sure it came out that way. Suddenly, he had a picture of Sophie in a pink dress with rose petals all around her and wanting to be swept off her feet.
And he realized he wasn’t the guy to do that.
He’d known all along he wasn’t, and he’d taken advantage of her anyway. He’d been caught up in feelings he’d never had before, but surely they weren’t the forever kind.
“Youlike herlike her, right? Because you’ve never brought a girl home before. And it’s just plain rude to do that if we never get to see her again. Especially because she totally rocked.”
“It’s not like that,” he said.
“Do not give me the bullshit that she’s too good for you. Maybe a few years ago that was true, but it’s not anymore.”
Only it was.
Sophie should have all her dreams come true, and how could a guy like him do that when he traveled constantly? Even if they did try to work something out, he’d miss important events in her life just like he had Julia’s, and he couldn’t do that to her. She needed to be with someone stable, dependable. Smart.
How long before she realized the only thing he truly was smart about was surfing?
How long before they ran out of things to say to each other?
“She’s not the type of woman I picture a future with,” Zane said. It was true. He hadn’t pictured a future withanyone woman. “We’ve been hanging out because of the film festival, but that’s the only reason. And you know I’ve always preferred blondes with big tits.” He forced those words out, knowing the cruder he was, the quicker he’d get Julia to drop it and believe him shallow again. “Plus, her intelligence is beyond me. She’s smarter than everyone, and no one can live up to those kind of expectations.”
“Zane—”
“I shouldn’t have brought her home to meet you and Mom.” The ache in his chest twisted, pinched. Made it difficult to breathe. Sophie had fit in with his family too easily.
“Something’s wrong,” Julia said. “Talk to me, Zane. You’re not still letting Dad get to you, are you?”
He put his coffee mug down on the tiled ground before he crushed it with his hand. He wasn’t good enough for Sophie and never would be. “I don’t need to talk,” he ground out. “Sophie was a convenience this week. Bryce and Danny put me up to it to help with my reputation. It was just a way to pass the time, and now it’s over. I doubt I’ll give her a second thought when I get on a plane tomorrow.”
“Okay then.” Julia’s voice was small, weak, and Zane hated having lied to her.
“Listen, I’ve got to go,” he said.
“Sure.”
“Say hi to Mark for me.” He pressed end and dropped the phone in his lap. He felt like a total shit. His head filled with images of Sophie from the last seven days. Arguably the best seven days he’d ever had, and he wished things could be different.
