Regret Came Too Late

Other than that one flimsy excuse, Simon couldn't think of any other reason. Ethan had been out of it all night, and it was as if he hadn't even heard half of what Simon said. He looked lost in his own world.

Simon, frustrated, slammed back a shot of whiskey. "Ethan?" he called.

Only then did Ethan lift his head, his voice distant. "What is it?"

"You good, man? You've been zoning out all night."

Ethan rubbed his forehead, his fingers pressing into his temples when his phone buzzed quietly on the table. He glanced at the screen, then said flatly, "I'm leaving."

Simon stared at him in disbelief. Seriously?

Tonight's meeting this whole damn setup-was Ethan's idea. He had practically twisted Simon's arm to come meet Grace and throw a project her way. Simon had agreed. Now, before they even finished the first drink, the guy was bailing?

Simon clenched his teeth, feeling ridiculously stifled. "You" He barely got the word out before Tim appeared to wheel Ethan out.

Simon slumped back in his seat, fuming. He pulled out his phone, his mood in the gutter.

Without thinking, he shot off a text to his usual hookup. "I'm asking you a question. What the hell are you so busy with?"

unanswered. And now, this one

as he glared at his screen, "There's no

ten minutes, but still, there was nothing. The silence gnawed at him. From the day he was born, he had never, ever been

know, Yasmine, this isn't cool. Every time you called, I came no hesitation. And now that it's me

meeting, seated at a long table surrounded by screenwriters. They were finalizing the next round of scripts when his voice crackled through her

an agreement," she said

Simon stiffened.

the start-no prying into each other's private lives,

when it was between the sheets. If either of them wanted out, they

hadn't expected her to- agree so fast, with such obvious relief as if she had been

beginning. He was Simon, damn it. With his looks, his money, and

he ended up actually sleeping with her. He hadn't expected it

never talked about their lives. He didn't even know what she did for

that first night, her inexperience had been obvious-awkward touches, hesitant reactions. She was pure, no doubt about

and untouchable. Who would've guessed she was that untouched underneath? It lingered in his mind more than

a drag. Nothing felt right— not the room, not