Free Below the Line by Candice Owen Page A

she did, she would completely fall apart. “Go away, Nate. I don't want to talk to you.” She tried to make a run around him but failed.
     
    “Please, just give me a chance to explain.” He pulled his hands from his pockets and reached out for her, but she jerked away from him so hard that he flinched. “It wasn't what it looked like.”
     
    “I'm sure it wasn't.” Marissa made herself look him in the eye, pain be damned. “It doesn't matter because it's my own fault that I got hurt. I let myself feel something knowing that it would end badly.” She wrapped her arms around herself, holding the shaking at bay. “Please go.”
     
    “No. You need to let me explain some things. Kate showed up tonight high and wanting to cause trouble. I don’t want her.” Nate went to her again only to have her sidestep him and walk away quickly towards her door. “Marissa, really, wait.”
     
    She had her key out and in the door before he could react. He was coming up the steps, as she turned in the doorway. “I can't do this. It was all a huge mistake.”
     
    Nate felt like she had slapped him in the face, again. “You don't mean that.”
     
    “Yes, I do.” She closed the door, sliding down to the floor as the tears started to flow.
     
    Nate could hear her sobbing from the other side of the door. It was killing him. She might not want to hear what he had to say, but he had to try. “I know you can hear me, Marissa. The only woman I want is you. If you will give me a chance, I'll prove it to you.”
     
    On the other side of the door, Marissa shook her head. He couldn't see, but it didn't matter. She thought, He can talk all night long and it won’t matter. I can’t let myself take that chance. Why won’t he just leave?
     
    There was nothing but silence from the other side of the door. She had stopped sobbing, but he couldn’t tell whether she was listening. He asked, “Marissa?”
     
    He waited several minutes, but she didn't respond. He hadn't heard her move either. Finally, he heard her get up, then he heard the lock turn on the door. She dismissed him for the second time.
     

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
     
    Nate got up early on Monday, anxious to see Marissa and possibly get a few moments to speak to her alone before filming began. He refused to believe that she didn't care. She was afraid, and that was something he understood, something he could fight.
     
    The guard at the gate told him to report to the main office before heading to the set. Frustrated that the unexpected side trip might cause him to miss his chance with Marissa, Nate parked and ran to the office building.
     
    The other three guys that he had started this adventure with were also in the waiting room. The secretary offered coffee, but they all turned it down. Nate was getting more and more aggravated by the minute. Finally, a bigwig stepped out in his Brooks Brothers three-piece and asked them to come down to his office.
     
    Nate knew something was up the minute the door closed. Marissa's crew was there, but Marissa was not. His stomach began to get a hard knot in the middle. “What's going on?”
     
    The suit sat down and addressed them all at once. “I'm afraid that production has been halted, gentlemen. Our star, Miss Fisher, has been admitted to a rehab facility after an unfortunate mishap this past weekend. She will be there at least three months, possibly longer.”
     
    Nate's head began to pound. He knew exactly what this meant.
     
    “You will all be paid generously for your time, and we want you all to know that once production resumes your parts will be waiting for you. Of course, the confidentiality agreement you signed will remain in effect.”
     
    The suit dismissed everyone but Nate. He knew what the man wanted from him. “It has been brought to my attention that Miss Fisher made quite a spectacle of herself in your place of business. I trust that the incident in question will be kept as private as possible?”
     
    “No one