Page 50 of Best Supporting Actor

“You too!” Tag beamed, putting on a bravuraperformance as the host with the most. “None of the tables are reserved, so sit where you like and order at the bar. Have a great evening, guys!”

With that, he turned and escaped back to the bar, busying himself by collecting the beers for table fifteen. He couldn’t help sneaking a peek, though, as Giles ushered Jay over to a table for two by the window. Jay moved with his usual, easy grace, but there was a subtle self-consciousness about him that Tag hadn’t noticed before. Whether it was because Tag was there, or because Jay was out in public, Tag wasn’t sure.

A short flurry of customers arrived after that, and Tag got busy making and serving drinks. Then, two of the women who’d come in just before Jay and Giles arrived, wanted to order food for their table.

“Mine!” Zab hissed, muscling ahead of Tag to sparkle at the women as she took their order. No doubt angling for a larger tip.

Which meant Tag was the only staff member free when Jay prowled towards the bar, menu in hand, presumably to order food for himself and Giles. Or possibly, judging by his expression, to murder Tag.

Shit.

Well, there was no avoiding it. He’d have to have this conversation with Jay at some point, so he might as well get it over with here and now. Rolling his shoulders, Tag braced himself. “Hey,” he said, smiling as he moved over to where Jay stood tapping his menu on the bar. “What can I get you?”

Jay raised his brows. “How about a straight answer?”

Tag bristled. “What does that mean?”

“You’ve got a job? On top of rehearsals?”

“Shock!” Tag gasped. “Actor has side gig! Come on, Jay… Even you must know how it works.”

In a low voice, Jay said, “Actors working withHenry Walkerdon’t have side gigs.”

“Yeah, well, they do if they want to eat. Or pay rent, or keep their digs at home.” Honestly, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Is this really a shock to you? They’re paying me peanuts, Jay. It’s probably less than you spend on your deli lunches, so I—”

“You should have said something.” Jay frowned, all patronising concern. “I could help.”

Tag felt his hackles rise but bit back his instinctive response—I don’t need your bloody help!Tomorrow morning, he’d be acting with Jay again, trying to find his way back into that space of mutual connection they’d discovered. He couldn’t risk fucking things up between them, not when they’d made so much progress.

“Look,” he said calmly, “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need anyone’s help. I’m fine.” He gestured to the menu. “Now, you want to give me your order or what?”

For a moment, Jay held his gaze, those grey eyes of his searching. Then he looked down at the menu with a sigh and said, “Fine, I’ll have the beef and ale pie and a bottle of Pinot Noir, with two glasses. Giles wants the vegan cheeseburger with salad and no bun. And no cheese.”

Tag gave an unprofessional snort and was surprised when Jay laughed softly. “Yeah,” he sighed. “I know.”

“Date not going well?”

Jay raised an eyebrow, giving Tag another of those searching looks. “It’s not a date.”

“It looks like a date. Pretty sure Giles thinks it’s a date.”

“I’m schmoozing, that’s all. For the sake of the production. It’s expected.”

Feeling weirdly buoyant all of a sudden, Tag turned to fetch the wine and glasses. “Wow,” he said, when he set them on the bar, “and you think me workinghereis inappropriate. At least I’m not selling my—”

“Oh shut up,” Jay said, but he was smiling when he pushed away from the bar. More seriously, he added, “We’re not finished with this conversation, by the way.”

“You can’t tell Henry.”

“I won’t, but…”

“But what?”

Jay shook his head. “We’ll talk about it later.” He grabbed the wine with one hand and the glasses with the other. “And wewilltalk about it, Tag.”

What the hell did he mean by that? Frowning, Tag watched Jay make his way back to his table, as graceful and elegant as a dancer. If Jay insisted Tag quit his bar work, things would be impossible financially, but if Jay gave him no choice—if he threatened to tell Henry—what would Tag do? Whatcouldhe do? A payday loan to tide him over? Accept Jay’s ‘help’, whatever that might be? Tag’s pride revolted at the idea, but one thing was certain—he wasn’t giving up this role.

“Oh my God,” Zab hissed in his ear. “Do you know who that is?”