I scratched the back of my head, worried I should have kept my mouth shut. “Not much, just that it’s something different, and that you are very talented.”
“Going for flattery? How childish.”
My face grew even warmer.
“Jonah tends to getexcited about things he’s passionate about,” Eliot said with a stiff smile.
“I see.” The Director held my gaze. “And what are you passionate about?”
I straightened, wishing I’d drank one less glass of wine. “Acting, sir.”
“What about acting? The money?”
“No, not at all.”
“You’d agree to work for free, then?”
“Well…”
“Do you think you have what it takes to make it?”
“I…yes? I mean,yes, for sure. I have what it takes.”
He shook his head at Eliot. “Too young. Too… simple.”
“He isnotsimple, and you are being rude to my friend.”
I’d never seen Eliot angry before, and though he remained composed, his eyes spoke volumes.
“I apologize,” The Director told me, then immediately resumed his conversation with Eliot about the economy, once more leaving me out like one of the plants.
I rubbed my face, debating whether to leave. This was undoubtedly a waste of time, but I didn’t want to be rude to Eliot, not to mention his promise of sex afterward. I wasn’t going to skip on that, shitty director or not.
I drank more wine, ignoring the dull conversation and watching the sun’s glimmer on the water in the pool.
“Jonah,” Eliot said at one point, “come help me bring refreshments.”
It was a cheap decoy, but I gladly followed him into the kitchen, where I said, “He hates me.”
“He doesn’t. He’s just concerned that you might be too…” He shook his head. “Never mind.”
“Say it. What is he concerned about? That I’m too simple in the head?”
“You and I both know how bright you are. You did nothing wrong—it’s me who should have handled it differently. He… he can be very stubborn, even when I have his best interests at heart.”
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. Maybe I should leave. He doesn’t want me here.”
“You are not going anywhere.” He put his hands on my shoulders, his gaze intense. “I know how strong you are, how good you two can be to each other.”
What?
“I need you to trust me,” he said, almost pleading. “Just a bit longer.”
“Why? I don’t even want to work with him.”
Eliot squeezed my shoulders. “You’ve promised to follow my lead. Was that a lie?”
I took a breath to calm myself down. That so-called director wasn’t worth fighting with Eliot.
