Page 64 of Starring Role

James touched his boyfriend's arm and gave it a light squeeze. Sahil couldn't see his expression because his back was to Sahil,but his body language read as intimate and tender. Then he walked off the set, strutting a little with all that confidence and wearing a relaxed expression as if he wasn't worried about this role either way and didn't have to fake that.

Then the next guy was brought out to read with Cooper.

Was it a mates thing? Grant thought they'd work well together because it was so serious, because beingprotective of Cooper would come naturally to James, and he'd be willing to put in any amount of effort to learn what he needed to learn in order to work with him? If he was anything like—well, every other wolf Sahil had ever met, he put his mate first and didn't consider going above and beyond anything but the norm. Sometimes to his detriment, as Sahil knew wolves who'd changed their wholelives for their partners, or had stayed in bad situations far too long to be with the one they loved.

He brooded, turning over those things in his mind while they watched the other readings. Coop was good with all of them, but that extra spark of chemistry was missing with these non-boyfriend actors. The show could make any of them work, and Sahil knew it; he could hold out against Grant, whowould eventually bend to his will because he wasn't as engaged in the TV show thing anyway. But Sahil knew better than to ignore his husband's gut instinct like that. Grant knew people, and he had good instincts. If he really thought they should go with the security guard, then they'd make it work.

As long as they can keep from eye-fucking each other on camera.

He really hadn't plannedto make it a prime-time gay romance. This was supposed to be about the work, damn it. Friendship and loyalty and partnership, and a big old heaping helping of puffing up the Shifters and Partners program. The execs might not approve of anything more.

But, hell, screw the execs. If he had to, he'd fight for this. It just wasn't his first hope for the show. They were already getting enoughpeople trying to join the S&P program as if it were a sort of dating agency. He liked to discourage that sort of thing. It wasted resources if the shifters involved didn't actually want to do the work, just find someone loyal and loving of their own.

He glanced at Grant again. He could understand the draw, of course. He was only human, and he loved his husband.But this is not a dating agency!

He managed to pay attention through the rest of the readings, but he was annoyed with all the things he was thinking about. He already knew he wouldn't fight Grant on this, but he did have reservations, and he wasn't sure he liked the specific twist this had taken. It couldn't help but be complicated.

Now, Grant was calling Coop over to talk to him and smiling in that gentle way of his, asif the actor were a baby rabbit he had to be particularly careful not to spook. He asked about Coop's health, about his impression of the actors he'd just read with. Coop was flustered over that question, no doubt there, and tried to answer safely, without committing himself or criticizing anyone.

Then Grant tactfully turned the conversation to mental health without seeming judgmental. Theywould need to arrange time for Coop to rest more, between filming and promotion; he spoke confidently about that, and Sahil was glad he didn't have to say it.

Grant brought up professional help in a way that didn't make it sound like he thought Coop was crazy, just that he could use some support at this time, and really, who couldn't? Cooper seemed to like Grant, and he nodded and agreed quicklyto whatever Grant said, smiling a lot, less and less nervous the longer they talked. He had started out not knowing what to do with his hands, and at the end of the conversation, he looked like he was ready to snuggle up on Grant's lap, the little brat.

Sahil was caging his hostility the best he could, but he was reaching his limit.

A softly cleared throat alerted him to the security guard'spresence. "Yes, what is it? James, isn't it?"

"Jimmy." The guard dropped his gaze. "I prefer Jimmy."

Sahil studied him and realized his criticisms couldn't hold up to this earnest young man. "What's the concern, Jimmy?" Probably about his role; he should wait and see like everyone else, not be so impatient. Someone would have to talk to him about that.

"It's about Coop, sir. Cooper.Specifically, his abs."

Sahil's brows shot up. It wasn't often that people took him completely by surprise. "Oh?" he managed at last. "What about them?" His voice came perilously close to trembling with the laughter he was holding back. It was so ridiculous!

"The workout schedule they have him on, and the diet—they just aren't great. I mean, long-term. It's been making everything harder.But there's a shirtless scene in every episode, and he can't do those without all the hard work they put him through, as well as everything else." Jimmy raised his eyes and hit Sahil with an innocent, bright blue gaze, appealing to him. "So, I was wondering if you could talk with everyone and make them film all the shirtless scenes around the same time, so he only has to work so hard partof the time, and not constantly. Constantly maintaining those abs is just too much."

Worried about Coop's health. Of course. "I'll see what I can do," said Sahil. It wasn't an unreasonable request, and Jimmy coming to him and trusting him with this did soften him a little. The guy was very young, though. The industry would eat him alive, with that earnest openness. Perhaps it was alreadyeating cute little Coop alive. He couldn't be much older than Jimmy, and he clearly wasn't a very tough person.

Jimmy's smile was definitely camera-worthy. Damn.

Jimmy hesitated, then confided, "It's a great show. My family loves it. And, you know, it's great what you're doing." His shy smile was very nice. He'd charm the audience easily if he could charm cynical and bitter old Sahil.

Sahil cleared his throat. "Yes, well, it's important work." He'd devoted his life to it; he'd better think so. He looked back at Grant and Cooper. Still talking, Cooper looking relaxed and happy. His boyfriend wasn't acting jealous at all, so he must not be panting after Grant, just basking in his kindness. A lot of people did that, and who could blame them?

"I just don't want to see Coopsacrificed for it. He's a great guy, you know?"

Sahil hid a cynical grin. Despite his casual words, the boy's eyes hid nothing.He's either the world's biggest fan, or he's in love with the guy.

"All right," said Sahil. "Prepare yourself. I suspect you're getting a role on the show."

"Awesome," Jimmy said, grinning that bright, warm smile of his.

Sahil wondered if he should warn himjust how big a role it was. That he'd be playing Cooper's non-shifting partner.

Nah. Let Grant do the dirty work. This was his call, though Sahil was finding himself reluctantly agreeing after all. Grant was pretty damned smart.

Just my luck, he'll leave me and go to work as a producer instead, if he can pick 'em this well.