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Edward wiped the makeup from his face as he stepped off the set. He was still waiting for the purple spots to clear from his vision. Once upon a time, he'd loved those damn cameras. He'd spent most of his youth dreaming of the day when his talent would be recognized, and his name would be written in the stars.

"Hang on, Ed, we need one more shot. The lighting in this one is all wrong," Jasper mumbled, walking around the set as he adjusted the speedlights. "It shouldn't take more than another ten minutes at best."

"That's what you said an hour ago," Edward breathed with annoyance as he stuck his chin out for the makeup artist. Once she was done applying the layer of powder, he backtracked to the stage, throwing a fleeting glance at the green screen behind him. smoothing the suit he wore down over his trim waist, Edward leaned against the classic '57 Chevy. "Please, hurry, I would like to get out of here while there is some daylight left."

"Cross your arms over your chest and look like there's no place you'd rather be," Jasper encouraged, stepping behind the camera. He studied Edward Cullen through the lenses. "Dude, you look like you're walking toward the gallows. Try to smile …"

Edward shoved his annoyance into the pit of his stomach. Using the smile that'd sold millions of cars, jeans, and sunglasses, Edward did as Jasper instructed, folding his arms over his chest. Looking off into the distance, he spaced out, leaving the studio behind. Instead, he was walking through the park with the beautiful woman he'd met at Pablo's Pub a week ago. They were having an animated conversation, and her bright smile glowed back up at him. They stopped underneath a bunch of trees, and he was just leaning down to kiss her when Jasper's sharp tone interrupted their encounter.

Edward came back to the present and pinned Jasper with a look. "Are we really done now? I have something I've been wanting to do. Plus, I'm on vacation for the next month, and I am very eager to leave all of this behind for a few weeks."

Jasper gave a disbelieving laugh. "Yeah, dude, good luck with that. You will never escape Hollywood. You should be thrilled. Most people would die to be in your shoes."

Edward didn't bother wiping the makeup from his face this time. Jogging off the set, he pulled his jacket from the back of the chair and shoved his arms through the sleeves. Adjusting the olive-green coat around him, Edward grabbed the ball cap off the coat rack and tucked his sandy blond locks under the mesh. "They would, Jas, you're right. They would until they couldn't go grab a cup of coffee without having a hundred photos taken. Or hell, last year I had a little too much to drink and puked all over the pier. The next morning it was blasted all over the news. I spent the next month answering questions about puking. Can you imagine that? Have one too many tequila shooters and next thing you know it's world news."

Jasper grimaced, throwing a look in Edward's direction as he started packing away his equipment. "Yeah, I remember that. Well, hopefully, you can find some peace in the next few weeks. You have that new movie starting in August, right? Better rest up before that, I'm sure you will be pretty busy for the next couple of years."

"Please, don't remind me," Edward murmured, pulling his phone from his pocket. He scanned through nearly a hundred messages, disappointment filling him when Bella's name never appeared. The corner of his lips tipped when he remembered what she'd said. She was old-fashioned and preferred a man to make the first move. Unfortunately, since that day, he'd been so wrapped up in his career he'd hardly had a chance to breathe, let alone shoot her a text. "The saddest part is, I met this chick last week and I haven't been able to contact her. Hopefully, I haven't waited too long to try and talk to her."

Edward scrolled through his contacts until he came to her name. Bringing up the texting app he used, he typed, "Hey. This is Rob. I was hoping we could get together for a cup of coffee."

Jasper nudged Edward with an elbow as he came alongside him. "Who is it? Kristi Peters. She's fucking hot, dude. You two look so good together."

"Jas, that was for publicity and nothing more," Edward informed him with a thick lifted brow. "No, I met her at a speed dating trap Alice made me go to. At first, I was more than annoyed, but then this chick walked in. The weirdest thing is, she acted like she had no idea who the hell I was. It was so refreshing."

"Huh," Jasper's head dipped in a nod. "What makes her so different from all the other women melting at your feet?"

"Because she didn't melt at my feet." Edward pushed the door open to the studio and stepped out onto the street. The community in these streets was made up of actors and other studios where countless programs were being filmed. He had no reason to hide his face, yet Edward slipped the sunglasses in place to conceal his identity as he checked his phone.

No message.

Another wave of disappointment assailed him as he stared at the blank screen. Maybe she'd given him the wrong number.

What were the chances?

Heading to the Ford Focus he'd had Enterprise drop off, he used the key fob to unlock the doors. He could have any car he wanted, but for this one month, he was going to be as average as they came. Throwing a look toward Jasper, he waved. "I'll see you in a few weeks, man."

"Right on."

Edward watched Jasper climb into his Ferrari and cut out. As the flash of red disappeared, he pitched his bag into the backseat before climbing in behind the wheel. When his phone remained silent, he chewed on the inside of his cheek. What was he supposed to do if she never answered? He could possibly return to Pablo's Pub and see if she came back for another speed date. What were the chances he'd meet her there again?

He'd just started the car when his phone chimed to life. Excited, he pulled the phone from his pocket—only to see Alice's name. Swallowing his disappointment, he hit the accept button and lifted the phone to his ear. "Hey, what's up? I was just getting ready to leave Studio Five."

"Nothing really. I was just calling to see if you were attending Kristi's party. I know, I know … You don't like her, but for your next movie it might be helpful for your promotion."

"Nope. I'm on vacation for the next few weeks and I'm not doing anything related to Hollywood. You know how restless I have been," Edward told her, pulling out of the lot and aiming the car toward Brooklyn. "I'm about to fill my free time with all the ordinary shit I can find. I even rented an apartment. A regular apartment without all the hoopla."

"I really don't understand your obsession with being ordinary, Edward. I understand that you feel trapped by the publicity, but it just comes with the territory."

"Alice," Edward started as he stopped at a red light. "When was the last time someone asked you on a date without knowing you were loaded? When you accept that date, don't you ever wonder if they actually like you, or your money? How much of their feelings are genuine? Cause for the last few years, I don't think I have been on one date where I didn't ask those questions."

"I get it, Edward. I do, but …"

"No buts, Alice. This is something I need to do. I have a building manager to go find and collect some keys for my new apartment. I'll call and check in occasionally."

"Fine. Whatever. I hope you find what you're looking for."

"Me too," Edward mumbled before hanging up.

Edward ignored the towering buildings of New York City. It was going to be such a relief to live like an average man again. Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the parking garage and found apartment one. Retrieving the keys to his rented apartment, he navigated the building to locate his home on the fourth floor. For the first time in years, he pushed inside the rathole and looked at the chipped paint on the walls.

His gaze shifted to the shag carpet that'd obviously been laid in the '70s. Luckily it didn't smell as bad as it looked, and he paced down the hallway, where he located his bedroom to find a plain mattress and box spring in the middle of the floor. A brand new sheet set sat on top. His assistant Riley had done well, Ed decided on opening drawers to find the jeans and T-shirts he'd told him to purchase. A simple bottle of cheap cologne sat to one side, and Edward bet if he went into the kitchen he'd find a fully stocked fridge and pantry. "Riley certainly needs a huge tip."

Grabbing fresh clothes from the drawer, he headed into the bathroom and turned the shower on as hot as he could. It was time to completely reinvent himself. Yeah—people would recognize him, there was nothing he could do about that, but he would just adamantly deny their suspicions. Once he finished showering, he wrapped a towel around his lean waist and proceeded to shave. Wiping the thick lather from his cheeks, Edward hurriedly dressed and wandered around the apartment.

Simple furniture decorated the living room. Heading to the recliner next to the window, he studied the screen of his phone. He'd messaged her an hour ago, and she still hadn't responded. There was a very good chance she was busy and hadn't seen his text yet.

He drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. What should he do? What the heck could he do if she didn't answer?

Edward replayed his and Bella's conversation a few times. Hell, over the past week he'd thought of little else. Her eyes held a genuine sparkle as she spoke, and her smile was earth-shattering. She'd mentioned some coffee shop on Fifth Street.

Was it possible she frequented the place?

Even if she did, how would he approach her?

He played with his lower lip as he considered what to do. Five minutes later, he was scrolling through his phone searching for the coffee shop on Fifth. Ten minutes after he found it, Edward grabbed his shit and headed out the door. Twenty minutes later, he was sitting at a table in Starbucks contemplating what to do now. He sat there for nearly thirty minutes when he was about to give up and go home—to his fake home—when he saw someone walking down the sidewalk toward the shop.

Spying her wild dark hair, a sliver of hope bloomed, he smiled softly as she tucked it behind her ear. She was still a ways down the block, and Edward leapt to his feet.

Jogging to the counter, he pinned the barista with a stern look. "I'll give you fifty bucks for a shirt and hat." Edward's gaze dropped to the wet rag the guy was using to clean the table. "And that rag."

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