Chapter Two: Lines We Don’t Cross (Until We Do)

West End — Langdon Theatre, Rehearsal Studio, 2:12 PM

There were a hundred things Avery hated more than improvisation, but most of them involved root canals or the sound of chewing in libraries.

So when the director clapped his hands and announced, “Let’s play with the scene! Loosen it up. No scripts. Trust each other,” she nearly threw a folding chair.

Jameson, of course, looked like a cat who’d found a sunbeam and a mouse in the same spot.

“Improvisation?” he purred, voice dark with anticipation. “Finally. Something dangerous.”

Avery stood at center stage, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. “If you try to kiss me without warning, I will slap you.”

Jameson tilted his head. “What if it’s in character?”

“Then your character’s about to learn how Viola handles inappropriate advances.”

The ensemble laughed, but the tension beneath it was razor-edged.

The director circled them like a proud lion tamer. “Start at the shipwreck scene. Avery, you’re disoriented. Jameson, you’re the stranger. No lines. Just truth. Let it breathe.”

Jameson took a step forward.

Avery instinctively took one back.

Too late. The game had begun.

Scene: Unscripted

Jameson’s voice lowered, almost gentle. “You’re far from shore.”

“I’m not lost,” she said coolly. “I’m in disguise.”

He circled her. “You think you can hide behind that voice? Those clothes?”

“Better than hiding behind fame.”

His jaw twitched. “I never hid. I just burned everything in sight until no one could see me.”

Avery faltered. Just for a beat. The line wasn’t in the script. But it was real.

“I don’t pity you,” she said, recovering.

“You should. It’s safer than wanting me.”

The air thickened. Their bodies were close now too close. Breath mingling. Unscripted intimacy.

“Cut!” the director finally called, clapping. “Excellent. Bloody electric.”

The room burst into murmurs of approval, applause. Jameson held Avery’s gaze another second, then turned smoothly and walked away.

Her heart was still racing.

She hated him for knowing it.

Break Room — 3:04 PM

Avery stirred her tea violently.

“You okay?” Lily, Jameson’s manager, leaned on the counter beside her.

“Define ‘okay.’”

“Still breathing. Still furious. Still in denial.”

Avery gave her a side-eye. “What exactly are you implying?”

“That you’re either about to kill him or sleep with him, and I can’t decide which is worse for your career.”

“I’m not sleeping with Jameson Parker.”

“Shame. You two would burn London to ash.”

Avery sipped her tea, cheeks flushed. “He’s reckless. Chaotic. He wants to ruin everything.”

“He wants to feel something again,” Lily said softly. “And so do you.”

Avery didn’t reply.

Downstairs — Dressing Room Hallway

Jameson leaned against the wall, scrolling through messages. He could hear Avery laughing behind the closed breakroom door. The sound twisted something in his chest. Not unpleasant. Not safe.

“Still sniffing around your leading lady?”

The voice stopped him cold.

Jameson looked up, eyes darkening. Standing across from him in a cream coat and designer boots was her Celine Maddox. Actress. Model. Ex-girlfriend. Tabloid queen.

“Didn’t realize ghosts were allowed backstage,” he said flatly.

Celine smiled with a mouth that had ruined careers. “You always had a flair for dramatics.”

“What do you want?”

“Just visiting. Old times. New gossip.”

Jameson stepped forward, voice a quiet threat. “Stay away from Avery.”

She blinked, amused. “Oh, so it’s true then?”

“Goodbye, Celine.”

But as he turned, she added, “She’s too clean for you. You’ll drag her down.”

He didn’t respond.

Because deep down, he feared she was right.

Later That Night — Avery’s Flat

Her phone buzzed.

[Jameson]: You awake?

She stared at the screen. Then at the glass of wine in her hand. Then back again.

[Avery]: Shouldn’t you be charming someone else tonight?

[Jameson]: Can’t. You ruined all other company for me.

She rolled her eyes. And smiled. Stupidly.

[Avery]: What do you want, Parker?

[Jameson]: Five minutes. Out front. No pressure.

She debated. Fought herself.

Then grabbed her coat.

Outside — 9:03 PM

He leaned against his motorbike like every bad decision she’d ever been warned about.

No helmet. Just that lazy grin and storm-lit eyes.

“Don’t you know how to knock?” she said, arms folded.

“You’d have said no.”

“I still might.”

He handed her a coffee. “Figured it’s safer than wine.”

She took it reluctantly. “Thanks.”

They stood in silence.

“You were incredible today,” he said at last.

“You threw me off. That wasn’t in the script.”

“It was real.”

Avery stared down at the cup in her hands. “That’s the problem.”

He turned toward her, voice low. “Why?”

“Because I don’t know where the performance ends and you begin.”

His answer was barely a whisper.

“Neither do I.”

Flashback: 2 Months Ago Jameson’s Last Relationship

He’d thrown a glass at the wall. She’d thrown his script in the fire. They’d kissed like it was a war.

It always ended badly.

That’s what he was used to.

But Avery?

Avery had rules. She didn’t let you touch unless it was in character. Didn’t flirt unless it was a line. Didn’t trust unless you earned it.

And that terrified him more than any scandal ever had.

Present — Outside Avery’s Flat

The drizzle turned to rain. Neither moved.

Jameson shifted closer. “You know, if we kissed right now, they’d write about it for a week.”

She laughed. “So tempting.”

“Not for them. For me.”

Avery looked up, heart thudding. “Is that what this is? PR?”

“No,” he said, voice raw. “That’s what I want them to think. So they don’t see what’s really happening.”

“And what’s that?”

“I’m falling for you.”

Avery’s breath caught.

But before she could speak, a camera flashed from across the street blinding, undeniable.

Paparazzi.

Jameson pulled her closer instinctively, shielding her.

But it was too late.

The story was already being written.

Tabloid Leak — Next Morning

KISS OR COVER-UP?

Jameson Parker caught in “intimate moment” outside co-star Avery Scott’s flat.

Sources claim the actor is pursuing a real-life romance but others say it’s just clever promotion.

What’s the truth behind this theatre power couple?

End of Chapter Two

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