Deciding to be fearless, Addie admitted, “Just for the one panel.”
“Toni’s panel?” Emily prompted. Emily and Toni exchanged another quick look.
“Of course. Dr. Darbyshire is an amazing lecturer.” Addie sighed—not to intentionally draw Toni’s gaze to her chest, but Addie wasn’t complaining when that was precisely what happened. Whatever the spark was when they met, it was still there even though they had barely flirted over email the last year.
Right now, though, Addie could feel Toni staring at her, and this time she felt warm for a different reason.
“How fortuitous that you not only know one another, but Adelaine shares the protagonist’s name.…” Marcela looked between them.
“I named the character after Addie,” Toni said after a too-long pause.
Addie realized in that moment that Marcela had put two and two together and come up with a conclusion that wasn’t precisely true.Yet.
“I want this role,” Addie blurted out. “However, my condition is that you respect Dr. Darbyshire’s privacy. No one needs to know that she named the character after me. Ever. Or that we knew each other.”
Toni gave Addie an inexplicable look, and Addie felt herself blushing. Maybe it was foolish, but she wanted to defend Toni, to beherhero, too.
“The roleishers, right?” Toni asked. “I’d like it to be hers, if that matters. I know I said I didn’t want to be invol—”
“Of course it matters, Toni!” Marcela’s wide-eyed expression was enough to make Addie laugh. “That was the plan, but I was going to ask if it would be awkward for—”
“Not at all. She’s perfect for the role.” Toni gave one nod, as if that was that, and then glanced at her agent. “Emily, can you grab Addie’s current phone number? I want to explore the set for a moment.” Then she looked at Addie. “Dinner.”
“Yes, please.” Addie’s traitorous body reacted even more viscerally to that commanding tone, and she pressed her lips together tightly before any other words escaped.
“Good.” Toni’s gaze fastened on her like a wolf spotting a trembling rabbit. Then she pivoted. “Ms. Gibson? Let’s explore the set.”
“Marcela, please!” The older woman shot a last look at Addie before gesturing. “This way. You have to see the study up close.”
Then Toni was striding away with Marcela, and Addie was biting back a sigh. There was something impossibly sexy about power, and Toni had it. She was decisive, and Addie was drawn to that sort of personality in a way that sometimes bothered her.
Addie fumbled for her business card to give Emily.
“I heard about the bar,” Emily said, drawing Addie’s gaze away from Toni’s backside. Toni had a marvelous firm bum.
When Addie said nothing, still pondering the fact that it made zero sense to find a back end attractive, Emily continued, “Don’t use her, Adelaine, or I will destroy you, your family, and any chance at a career you might have.”
Addie gaped at her, finally registering the conversation. “What?”
“She’s my sister and my client, and my job is to protect her. If you don’t hurt her, we’re fine, but if you have an agenda…” Emily gave her a harsh once-over.
Unlike Addie’s reaction to Toni’s brusque tone, Emily’s aggressiveness did nothing but piss her off. “I met her in a bar. Beautiful, smart woman. What agenda could I possibly have?”
Aside from convincing her to love me…
Emily stared at Addie. “Fair, but maybe it’s a new agenda.”
“I already auditioned for the roleon my ownbecause I didn’t want her help, even though we’ve been emailing for a year.” Addie shook her head. “She’s smart, and sexy, and I didn’t know she was a writer when we met, so it wasn’t like I was angling for a role or that I need a handout. I think she’s amazing, and I want to spend more time getting to know her. That’s my secret agenda, Ms. Haide. I like her.”
Emily nodded, an approving look appearing suddenly. “Good, because you’ll probably have a few events together for promo.”
Addie’s answering smile felt like it stretched to the sides of her face. “I can’t wait.” A torrent of words burst out against Addie’s best efforts. “And obviously, my interest isn’t one-sided. She named Addie after me and justorderedme to dinner, and she emails me every week. Is she single?”
“She is and hasalwaysbeen single.” For a moment, Emily looked like she had more to say, but she gave Addie a look that felt like sympathy and then walked off.
The presumed assistant from earlier popped out from wherever she’d been lurking. “Let’s get you changed!”
“Sure.” Addie looked up to see Toni staring back at her the same way she had when Addie had walked into the bar in Scotland.No, this spark definitely isn’t one-sided.
