"Like what?" Hailey asked. "Like he's planning my wedding to someone who isn't him? Because that's exactly how he looks at me."
Eric's expression remained tense. "I'm just asking questions."
"No, you're interrogating me like I'm a suspect." Hailey studied his face. "What's really going on here? Are you mad at me?"
"Who's mad at you?" Eric replied quickly, though his tone suggested otherwise. "I was just asking questions. Can't I ask questions?"
"Reasonable? Eric, you sound like a jealous boyfriend, except we're not dating."
The words hung in the air between them.
Hailey studied his face, noting the tension in his features and the way he was avoiding her eyes.
"Can I ask you something then?" she said quietly.
Eric nodded, though he looked wary.
"You and Victoria seem very close. The cake feeding in the dressing room? The tender looks? The walking her to fittings because she needs moral support? Do you like her?"
Eric's reaction was immediate and fierce.
"Don't ever say that again."
Hailey blinked. "Say what?"
"Victoria is my brother's girlfriend."
The words hit her like a physical blow.
"She's... what?" she stammered.
"You heard me."
"Oh God, I'm sorry. I had no idea Victoria had a boyfriend. She never mentioned anyone."
Eric's expression softened slightly.
"She told me not to tell anyone," he explained. "She doesn't want other people to get involved in her personal life. The media would have a field day if they found out."
"Oh, I get it," Hailey said, nodding slowly. "She's a superstar. She probably needs to keep her private life separate from her public image. That makes complete sense."
She paused, thinking about the implications.
"Your brother must be awesome," she continued, trying to inject some lightness into the conversation. "He's got the country's sweetheart as his own. That's incredible. He must be really special to have won her heart."
"You think I don't know that?" Eric's voice was flat, almost bitter.
There was something in his tone that made Hailey pause.
"I... what? Eric, what's wrong with you? I was just being happy for them."
She searched his face, confused by his reaction.
"Look, I'm sorry. I was just being happy for them. I didn't mean to upset you."
She searched his expression, trying to understand what was bothering him.
"I can make dinner to make peace," she offered. "What do you want to have for dinner? I could cook something special."
"It's alright," Eric said quickly. "I'll eat at home."
Before she could respond, Eric was out of the car.
He moved quickly, sharply, and when he reached his own vehicle, he slammed the door hard enough to make her wince.
Hailey sat alone in her car, watching him drive away.
"Well, that went well," she said to her empty car. "Really cleared things up."
---
Meanwhile, Eric was driving through the city with Victoria in the passenger seat of his car.
Victoria sat elegantly beside him, her purse resting on her lap and her hands folded gracefully.
She had changed into a simple but expensive dress that highlighted her natural beauty.
"Thank you for being with me until the work was done for the day," Victoria said, her voice warm with gratitude.
"I really appreciate you staying on set. It makes everything so much easier when you're there. I feel more confident knowing you're watching."
"You're welcome," Eric replied, his voice gentle.
He glanced over at her, noting the tired lines around her eyes that her makeup couldn't quite hide.
"Are you sure you're not going to eat with me first?" he asked. "I could take you somewhere nice, maybe that restaurant you mentioned last week. The one with the amazing seafood."
Victoria smiled at the offer, but shook her head.
"Maybe next time," she said. "I happen to have plans with Edward tonight. We're supposed to have dinner together. He's been planning this evening for weeks."
Eric's expression changed with something that might have been disappointment, but he quickly covered it with a smile.
"Alright," he said. "Tell Edward I said hello. How is he doing these days?"
"I will," Victoria replied. "He always asks about you when we talk. He says he misses seeing you around the house."
They pulled up to Victoria's apartment building, a sleek modern structure with a doorman and elegant landscaping.
Eric got out of the car and walked around to open Victoria's door for her.
"Get home safely," he said as she stepped out. "Drive carefully, especially on the highway."
"Thank you," Victoria replied, reaching out to squeeze his hand briefly. "I'll see you tomorrow on set. We have that early call time, don't we?"
"Yes, six in the morning," Eric confirmed. "I'll be there."
Eric watched as she walked into the building, her figure disappearing through the glass doors.
The doorman nodded respectfully as she passed, and Eric could see her speaking to the front desk staff before heading to the elevators.
Only after she was completely out of sight did Eric get back into his car.
He sat for a moment, his hands resting on the steering wheel, before finally starting the engine and driving toward his own home.
---
The Collins family home sat in one of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods. Eric parked in the garage and entered through the side door.
The smell of something delicious wafted from the kitchen, and he could hear the television from the living room.
As he walked through the hallway, he found his mother, Vivian, sitting at the dining room table with a plate of food in front of her.
She was a woman in her early forties, with silver hair styled in a neat bob and kind eyes behind designer glasses.
She was wearing a comfortable sweater and pearls, the picture of refined elegance.
"Eric!" she said, looking up with surprise and pleasure. "Why didn't you tell me you would be coming home for dinner? I would have prepared something special."
"I didn't know I would be," Eric replied, loosening his tie.
"Have you eaten anything?" Vivian asked, concern creeping into her voice. "You look tired, sweetheart. And you seem upset about something."
"I'm not very hungry," Eric said, though his stomach was actually growling.
Eric started toward the stairs, but his mother's voice stopped him.
"Eric, wait," his mother called out.
He paused at the foot of the stairs, turning back to look at her.
"Are you free tomorrow?" Vivian asked. "Your aunt Kylie wants to see you. She's been asking about you for weeks, and she mentioned wanting to introduce you to someone."
Eric's shoulders sagged slightly. He knew what this meant — another attempt at matchmaking, another awkward dinner with a family friend's daughter.
"I'll go shower," he said, not really answering her question.
"Eric—" his mother called again, but he was already heading up the stairs, leaving his mother watching with concern.
In his bedroom, Eric sat on the edge of his bed and ran his hands through his hair.
The conversation with Hailey played on repeat in his mind. Her confusion when he had asked about Samuel. Her innocent question about Victoria that had hit him like a punch to the gut.
He had reacted badly. He knew that.
But hearing her ask if he liked Victoria had stirred up emotions he wasn't ready to examine.
Victoria was beautiful, successful, sophisticated. Everything a man was supposed to want.
But lately, when he looked at her, he found himself thinking about someone else.
Someone with wet hair and a warm smile. Someone who dove into pools to save nervous young actors.
Someone who made him feel protective and possessive in ways he didn't understand.
The realization was uncomfortable and unwelcome.