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She halted. Inhaled uncertainty, exhaled resignation. She couldn’t just leave him.
Yet just as she took a step back, a dozen guards raced out of the studio, propelling people back and fighting their way to the middle. Cheyenne backed away once more, her escape, no matter how temporary, successful. Her relief didn’t last long, as a single question emerged.
Why was he so determined to follow her?
Why washe so determined to follow her? Julian pretended to listen to the monologue of possibly the worst actress who had ever graced the face of the Earth. Thank goodness he was on the last of theforty-fourextras he’d agreed to critique. After a brief break to pursue Destiny, he’d returned to fulfil her impromptu promise. Of course, he could have said no, but they’d been so excited and hopeful, he couldn’t disappoint them. They were unfailingly sweet, and he tried to be as nice as possible. It wasn’t their fault a sly, way-smarter-than-she-let-on sneak tricked him into doing this so she could escape. Soon, Destiny would learn her escape was only temporary.
Several of the extras did possess real talent, enough for him to recommend them, and he’d already decided to pass their names along. No reason not to give a chance to those who deserved it.
“Thank you, so much, Ms….” He looked down at the paper beneath him. “Ms. Cole. I’ll be sure to pass your name along to any directors you’d suit.” The young woman bobbed her head and flashed a rather stunning smile, which somehow didn’t seem nearly as bright as that of a certain fleeing extra. Still, with her looks, she could do well as a model. He made a mental note to mention her to the agency.
“Ladies, thank you again for coming.” He stood and rubbed his hands together. “I hope we can do it ag… I mean I lookforward to seeing you all tomorrow. Right now, I need my special method to prepare for tomorrow’s role.”
The women nodded solemnly. He tried to keep his expression serious as they filed out, but they looked at him with such sincere gratitude, a genuine smile emerged. A recommendation from him could mean a lot for their careers. Maybe listening to aspiring actors occasionally wouldn’t be a bad thing. A certain grey-haired director with multiple sci-fi hits had given him a chance, after all.
Zachary appeared at the doorway as the last woman exited. “Are you sure you want to go in there?” she whispered to him, loud enough for Julian to hear. “He’s about to start his special method to prepare for his role.”
The sides of Zachary’s lips quirked up, but he nodded. “That’s why I’m here.” Sighs of envy swirled as Zachary shut the door behind him. He raised an eyebrow. “Special method?”
Grinning, Julian opened the mini-fridge. “Regular or light?”
“Ahhh. Hit me full force, buddy.”
Julian removed a pair of beers and tossed one to Zachary, who caught it easily. Two pops and hisses later, they each enjoyed a long swig. Zach swirled his glass. “So what’s with the woman?”
“What woman?”
Zachary grinned. “The one you carried off like a caveman, the same you tried to chase down.”
“I didn’t chase her down.” But actually he had. And that carrying off like a caveman thing – yeah, that happened, too. “I can’t believe you heard about that.”
Zachary shrugged. “Everyone’s heard about it. I heard the janitors discussing it.”
“No comment.”
Zachary held a hand to his heart. “I’m getting the paparazzo treatment? That hurts.”
Julian took another drink of his beer. “It’s not like I’m holding back. There just isn’t anything to tell.”
Zachary lifted his glass. “Now you’re just lying. I’ve never seen the great Julian Starcroft off his game, but today you were losing by fifty points in the first. I think it’s because your new body double is running offensive for the other team.”
“That’s ridiculous.”And so true.“Destiny doesn’t distract me at all.”I’d be less distracted by a Tyrannosaurus rex materializing out of thin air and asking for a beer.“Do you share all your romantic pursuits with me?”Do dinosaurs like regular beer or light?
His friend laughed at the thin attempt to change the subject. As successful actors, neither had to worry about finding women to date. Now finding the right person – that was as difficult for them as anyone else. Julian straightened. “I have nothing to hide.”
Zachary leaned forward. “Since nothing is going on with you and Ms. Dane, maybe I’ll get to know her better. She seemed pretty friendly back there.”
A dragon’s fire lit in Julian’s chest. “Get to know her better?” he responded slowly.
“Sure, why not? Since you’re not interested and all.” Zachary lifted his beer.
Julian suddenly had the urge to hit something. Something with a smirk and silky hair. “That’s not a good idea.” He tried to make his voice light; instead he sounded like the Grim Reaper. On abadday.
“No?” His friend raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
If he threw something at him, he could always claim he was rehearsing for the movie. They might believe him. I’m sorry, but I just had to practice that microwave-tossing scene.
“She’s flirting with every guy on set.” Zachary temped him to throw that microwave. “She seems to be looking for new friends.”