Joy just froze there for a solid twenty seconds.
Not because she was shocked dumb, but because she honestly didn't know what to say.
She'd suspected Tom felt this way for a while, and now that it was out in the open, she realized she didn't hate it. Actually, she kinda liked how he was talking—like he was taking his shot without apology.
After a beat of silence, a slow, knowing smile spread across her face. "Tom, you really are something… hot one minute, ice-cold the next. I never know which version of you I'm gonna get."
Tom chuckled softly right by her ear. "How do you figure?"
Joy let out a little sigh. "You were super distant for a while there. I legit thought you couldn't stand me."
"I was trying to hate you," he admitted, his eyes locked on hers, that burning look he'd been hiding now completely out in the open. "Turns out I suck at it."
She took a small step back, putting a little space between them. "So… what exactly do you want me to say right now?"
The corner of his mouth lifted—gentle, but with a teasing edge. "That's totally up to you. Ball's in your court. You can stay the night if you want… or you can walk out that door right now. No pressure."
Joy couldn't help laughing. "Stay the night? Dude, tomorrow I'd be plastered all over the tabloids. Next thing you know, they're calling me 'Mrs. Tom' or whatever the gossip blogs come up with."
Tom grinned, eyes sparkling. "With your status? Pretty sure I'd be the one getting nicknamed 'Joy's husband.'"
She cracked up. "Haha, fair. But let's be real—knowing the internet, I'm still ending up 'Tom's girl.'"
Then she flopped back onto the couch, tucking her legs under her like she was trying to find a position that didn't feel awkward. "Any chance I get a third option? Like… eat dinner and then head home?"
Tom gave her the most gentlemanly smile, even though his eyes never left her face. "Of course you do."
"Tom," she said, looking off to the side, "I'm not gonna lie—I really like you. Like, a lot. But I'm not quite there yet. I don't know if that makes sense."
He stopped looking at her for the first time all night. Walked over to the window, leaned against the wall, and stared at a little water lily on the sill. Even the way he looked at a plant felt deep and tender; the man could make anything feel intense.
After a long pause he finally said, "I get it."
Joy fumbled for words. "So…"
"So," he continued, that faint smile still playing on his lips as he turned back to her, "I can wait."
She just looked at him.
He went on, voice steady. "Until you feel it—that level you're talking about."
Joy gave a helpless laugh. "Tom, you really don't have to waste your time on me."
"As long as I've still got patience, it's not a waste." He stepped closer, those green-gray eyes pinning her in place. "I need you to know I'm dead serious about this. I've thought about it more than I've ever thought about anything when it comes to relationships."
She blinked up at him, half-stunned. "How serious are we talking?"
"More serious than I've ever been." He turned and headed for the door. "Let me check on dinner."
And just like that, he left her alone in the living room.
While she waited, Renee texted her the usual check-in. Joy told her she was having dinner at Tom's place.
Renee immediately freaked out (in the best way). "NO WAY. What does Tom the God's house look like?? Send pics!!"
"Can't just start snapping photos without asking the owner, dude."
"Then ask him! Pleeease (starry eyes)"
Joy sighed and waited till Tom came back. "Hey, my friend is dying to see the inside of your house. Mind if I take one quick shot of the living room? Just to make her day?"
"Guy friend or girl friend?"
"Girl, obviously."
"Then go for it."
So Joy snapped a pic of the living room and sent it.
Renee was not satisfied. "NO NO NO I want a pic of you TWO together!! Let me see the goddess + god combo pls~"
Joy rolled her eyes so hard. "You're ridiculous." Then she called out, "Tom, come take a selfie with me—my friend's begging."
"Fine by me." He slid onto the couch next to her, casually draped an arm around her shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world, and looked at the camera. Joy barely had time to process how smooth that was before the flash went off.
He gave the camera that perfect, practiced megastar smile. Joy managed a grin. Click. Sent.
She texted Renee: "There. Happy now, you little gremlin? Gotta go eat!"
Renee: "MUAAAH love you!!"
Dinner was chill. At one point Tom asked, "I saw some gossip article saying your Broadway bestie is dating Colin Galloway now?"
Joy spooned up some French fish soup. "Yup. They're obnoxiously in love."
"What do you think about it?" He signaled the kitchen for another bowl for her. "Eat as much as you want."
"Thanks," she smiled. "Honestly? I'm not feeling it. I asked around the industry—his rep off-screen isn't great. Yeah, he's hot and used to have that spark, but…"
Tom smirked as he cut his steak. "Damn, savage. But I don't know the guy, so I'll stay out of it. I don't trash people I haven't worked with."
Joy raised an eyebrow. "That's fair. Anyway, I'm planning to talk Renee out of it."
Tom mirrored her eyebrow raise, a tiny forehead crease showing. "Just… don't overestimate how much sway you've got."
She shot him a playful glare. "Wow, rude. Guess I'm just full of myself then."
After dinner he drove her home.
For the next few weeks she buried herself in writing her new script.
One afternoon Renee called, sounding weirdly cautious. "Hey Joy… so I heard you're casting the lead for your new movie?"
"Yup. Why?"
Renee hemmed and hawed. "You know I'm with Colin now… and we're crazy about each other. He's super passionate about his career, and I just want him to keep climbing, you know?"
Joy's radar pinged. "Spit it out, Renee."
"Okay, fine—Colin would kill to be in your movie. He respects you so much as a director. Could you… maybe give him a shot at the lead?"
Joy felt her temper flare. "Did he tell you to ask me? Is he using you to pull strings?"
"No! Joy, don't be mad—he just mentioned it, and I actually think he'd be great! You said yourself years ago he had something special—"
"That was years ago!" Joy snapped. "He lost it. And Renee, you know I don't do nepotism crap. I'm not bending my casting for your boyfriend."
Renee's voice got smaller. "You're so good at shaping actors—look what you did for Henry Cavill. Maybe you could work your magic on Colin too…"
"He's not right for this script. Period."
"Joy, please… he really wants this…"
Joy cut her off. "Oh, he 'innocently' mentioned it and you just happened to remember and call me, right? Funny how he only brought it up after the news dropped that I'm casting."
Renee sounded miserable. "If you really won't… then okay."
Seeing her best friend torn up sucked. Renee had been the only one who stuck by her when her whole world fell apart—when even Hughes bailed. Joy softened.
"Hey… "Look, don't be upset. I'll keep an eye out for future projects that could fit him. Just not this one, okay?"
"Okay… I get it. Talk later."
Click.
Joy sat there in her living room, mind racing. Ever since Colin showed up, Renee wasn't acting like herself. She'd never tried to meddle in casting before.
And if he actually loved Renee, why would he nudge her into doing his dirty work?
From the very first second Joy met Colin, alarm bells went off. The guy was calculating. Deep waters.
Something was off.
A big red warning light was flashing in her gut.
Colin wasn't the type to let this go.