Not a self-important actor with an identity crisis. He was Nikhil Shamdasani—class clown. The pawn of the Ironis franchise. He was of no use to Marley.
After neither of them said anything or moved for a few minutes, Marley looked up at him. “Enough pity party. Tell me about your day.”
“I had a meeting with the studio publicists today. Apparently, my haters are getting louder. Execs are freaking out that hashtag ‘boycottIronis 3’ is trending.”
She cringed. “I don’t get it at all. Is your job at risk?”
He shook his head. “Doubt it. At least I hope not.”
“I don’t understand why people are talking aboutboycotting? Is it because you’re…”
“Brown? Inexperienced? Unlikable? Who knows?”
“Youarelikable. I like you.”
He smiled. She was holding his hand, and she said she liked him. Who cared if no one else liked him? Marley did. “They want to do all these publicity stunts, but I’m not interested.”
“But this is the biggest role of your career! You might have to.”
He shook his head. “Not sure it would make a difference. I’m positive the execs regret hiring me. People are analyzingthose interviews I did and are saying I’m off-putting. And maybe they’re right. I love acting, and I amsolooking forward to shooting the movie, but right now I’d much rather be here with my friend who has real problems instead of gallivanting through Los Angeles with people who don’t actually want me there.”
Marley’s hand tightened around his, and he couldn’t stop thinking about it. About how turned on he’d been when he’d massaged it the other day. About how perfectly formed it was. About how Marley’s capable hands were two of the most beautiful things in the world. All he wanted to do was hold on to her and try to give her the strength she thought she was lacking. Even though she was the strongest person he knew.
“They can recast me after this film,” he said. “Or just not feature the Bronze Shadow in the next Ironis movies. I don’t care. But I’ll at least get this movie.”
“You just wait until shooting starts. Everyone will fall in love with you.”
Nikhil shrugged. “There is nothing I can do right now but wait and see.”
They continued to hold hands like that for several long moments.
Finally, Nikhil couldn’t go another second without telling her. “Marley?”
“Hmm?”
“You don’t need to worry. You’ll still be beautiful. I mean, your face, of course, but… Can I tell you something that’s probably totally inappropriate?”
“Okay…”
He exhaled, then looked at her. God, she was stunning. “You have thesexiestbody. Your legs. Your shoulders. Your back…I’ve never thought a back was hot until I saw yours. I think that your new breasts will be fine, but even if they aren’t… I think there will be enough sexy still in you to make up for it. By a mile.”
Marley smiled small. Then squeezed his hand. “You’re sweet.”
“I mean it. You’re beautiful. You always will be.”
“I’ll just have frozen pizza for dinner. And then I want to eat popcorn and watch reality cooking shows with you.”
Popcorn was the only approved snack on the list from the nutritionist. “That sounds perfect. No butter.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Nikhil
Nikhil was in LA for about an hour and a half when he remembered why he’d been glad to be out of California for a while. Everything was sobighere. And sprawling. And he could never tell if people were being real with him.
And it was damn hot.
He went straight to his best friend and former roommate Tyler’s house after getting out of the busy airport late Sunday night. Tyler was now a series regular on a medical show, and he insisted that Nikhil stay with him instead of a Hollywood hotel while he was in town. Nikhil had agreed since he wasn’t sure he’d have much time to see Tyler otherwise. Plus, Tyler had a husband now who was even nicer than Tyler, and Nikhil wanted to see him, too. He got in too late to hang out much, though.
