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“Attractive, ravishing, tight.” He let out a laugh. “Ass.”
“You think those were about you?” She tried for astonished, accomplished less than Oscar-worthy efforts. “I was thinking about the other guys on the set. And there are plenty of words that don’t have anything to do with you.”
“That’s true, but they’re as telling as the others.” He gestured to the pieces. “Games are a great way to learn about a person.For instance, despite your insistence otherwise, you were thinking about me.”
Denying it was kind of ridiculous at this point.
“Look at your other words: academician, agglomerate, monosyllable. They’re straight from an SAT vocabulary list, or at least someone who is very, very intelligent. Someone who would know twelve makes a dozen, how many planets are in the solar system, continents on the earth.” He gave her a pointed look. “Probably not someone whose only accomplishment is Miss Excavator Falls.”
Damn.With one simple game, not only had she given away exactly how tight his ass was (extraordinarily), but she’d also revealed her ditzy act was just that – an act. “Don’t knock Miss Excavator Falls. It’s really fantastic.”
He folded his arms across his chest.
“Fine.” She plopped down on the chair. “I might’ve played up the acting a little, just to help me get the role.” She hated to break character, but it was already damaged beyond repair, and Julian was obviously not working for the criminal mastermind. The enterprise only chose extras, never a leading man.
Yet he appeared only somewhat satisfied with her excuse. There was only one thing that would distract him now. “So do you want to start rehearsing?”
He surprised her by shaking his head. “We still have a little time. Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”
Definitely not the direction she wanted to take. It was one thing to play a character, but if she inadvertently revealed her true identity, it would put the mission – and her – in danger. “There’s not much to tell. Typical back story of an aspiring starlet. I grew up wanting to be an actress, and I’m super excited for this chance. So anyway, if you’re ready…”
“I never wanted to be an actor.”
She paused. She shouldn’t ask, shouldn’t even care. Yet curiosity slayed good sense. “You didn’t?”
“Nope, I wanted to be a doctor. I was accepted into medical school and everything. Right before school started, a buddy of mine asked me to come along on an audition. I thought it would be an interesting way to spend an afternoon. I never thought I’d have a chance, much less get chosen for a role.”
“That was your first movie?”
He nodded. “They were specifically looking for a newcomer, a fresh face they could tout. How could I turn down a movie star role? The movie was the surprise blockbuster of the summer.”
“A single event can change a life.” It was why she was here, to prevent the tragedies that destroyed women’s futures. “You decided to continue acting instead of going back to medicine?”
Julian flexed his muscles. She didn’t look. Much. “By then the acting bug had caught me, so I made the choice to switch careers. I’ve been lucky to receive great projects, and I really do enjoy it. Except for the fame, of course.”
“Really?” How unexpected. Julian topped the lists of personable celebrities year after year. He was known to mingle with fans and attend countless charity events. “I thought fame was part of the appeal.”
Julian shrugged, and again with the muscles. “I love the fans and am always happy to sign an autograph or take a picture, but the lack of privacy can be daunting. Everyone knows everything about my personal business – whether or not it’s true – and there is endless bullying on social media. I can’t take a walk without being surrounded, and even a trip to the mall is a full-scale production. People watch me every second.” He ducked his head. “Of course, I am grateful. I chose this life, and being a celebrity comes with a lot of advantages. Just sometimes I wish I could be a regular guy for a little while. Maybe I should go undercover.”
Cheyenne coughed. Loudly.
He frowned and offered her water, but she turned it down. “I’m fine.” Except for nearly combusting when he simply mentioned the word “undercover.”
He placed the cup back on the table. “So tell me more about Destiny Dane. What do you do when you’re not fulfilling your duties as Miss Excavator Falls?”
Cheyenne thought back to the profile of the fictional Destiny Dane. The attributes and hobbies fit perfectly with the character and not at all with the real her. “Oh, you know, the usual favorites. Shopping, getting my hair done, sunbathing, meeting celebrities, that sort of thing.”
Julian blinked.
Then he laughed.
And laughed.
And laughed some more.
Do not growl. Do not snap. Do not do anything that would be illegal in a plurality of states.
“I’m sorry,” he said, wiping his eyes. “Getting your hair done and meeting celebrities? That’s the best you could come up with? You didn’t seem at all interested in meeting me.”