“The director will come here tomorrow morning, which is why I wanted you to spend the night. Once he’s here, all you’ll need to do is be your charming self and follow my lead.”
“Did you tell him nice things about me?”
“I did.”
“Like what?”
“That you ask too many questions.”
Hint taken.“What’s his name?”
“Thomas, but you will refer to him as The Director.”
“A bit pompous.”
“Perhaps, but that’s the way it is.” He clapped his hands. “No more talking about this until tomorrow. Our dessert will be popcorn while we sit and watchA League of Their Own.”
I leaned forward. “Don’t tell me you’ve got it on tape. It shouldn’t be out for another month!”
He winked. “I know a guy.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. I adored that movie and had watched it four times in the cinema. Geena Davis was epic in that role, and even Madonna was decent.
I was about to help clear the table when Eliot asked, “Would you do me a favor?”
I knew what he meant without needing him to say it. “What are you in the mood for?”
“Are you familiar withDeath of a Salesman?”
“Are you kidding? I love Arthur Miller!”
His smile was warm and full of appreciation. I loved being able to impress him.
“It’s got one of my all-time favorite lines,” I said.
“Do tell.”
I stood up and approached him, his blue eyes following me.“Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be… when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am?”
He sighed and nodded. “Thank you.”
“Well, I know more lines.”
“I’m sure, but that was all I needed. Now, help me clean up so we can go watch your B-movie.”
I pretended to be shot in the chest. “The disrespect! You wound me.”
Once we took the dishes to the kitchen, I went to change into my sleeping clothes. Sitting shoulder to shoulder with Eliot on his huge couch, a bowl of popcorn in my lap, things seemed much brighter than they had earlier. I was dying to ask more questions about the audition, but I assured myself that Eliot knew what he was doing.
Luckily, the movie was so good that I was able to stay focused despite being so close to Eliot. Once it finished, he said it was time for bed. “Take the second door to the right. I’ll be right there to tuck you in.”
I brushed my teeth in the small bathroom next to the guest room, then went to lie on the great mattress. A nice breeze blew in through the open window, much better than my ceiling fan.
“Already asleep?”
I opened my eyes to see Eliot leaning on the doorframe. He was shirtless, and I was a deer in the headlights. When I opened my mouth, words failed me. He was truly a sight with his pale and smooth skin, his chest well-defined like a swimmer’s. It felt wrong for him to walk around with clothes when such beauty hid underneath.
He came closer and dimmed the light, but I could still see him perfectly. He came to sit on the bed, and I tried my hardest not to stare at his nipples.
