"What? No way."
"Yes way. He crushed my hand when he shook it. And the comment he made, 'wish I could say she mentioned you'—boy has it bad."
I search the room for his table, and when I spot him, he's staring at me. I let my eyes linger on his until he breaks contact and joins the conversation at his table.
I snap out of my drool session and steer this conversation in a different direction. The last thing I need is Brandon suspecting I have any real feelings for Grant. He'd latch on and never let it go.
"I think you are reading way too much into that. I mean, he's totally hot, but he's my boss! Plus, there's no way he'd go for someone as young as me. He's a single dad. We're in completely different stages of life."
"And are you still in the 'never going to date anyone' stage of life?"
"Stop it."
"I love you, Soph, but when are you going to move past the Connor thing? We all get hurt. It's like a rite of passage in relationships. You can't say you've ever had one unless you've been destroyed by one."
"Has one destroyed you?"
"At least monthly."
Brandon smirks at me. He loves love, but I'm not sure he's ever been in love. He has no problem finding dates, and I'm always amazed at how well he treats women. The relationship timeline with each one is short, and it's a gift how he maneuvers out of them with no drama.
I look back at Grant, but this time, it's Lucas's eyes thatsnag mine. He gives a nod and a smile, and while it's friendly, it feels protective, too, like maybe Brandon and Lucas see something Grant and I haven't quite noticed yet.
"Well, speaking of relationships, how would you feel about having another working one with me?"
"I knew it." Brandon shakes his head and digs into his dinner. "You know I can't say no to you. What is it this time?"
We dive into the rest of dinner while I tell him all about my vision for the stunts and his role. And I force myself to avoid looking over at Grant for the rest of the evening. Thank God I'm a well-trained actress.
eighteen
. . .
Grant
I'm completely thrownby seeing Sophia here. My eyes stay on the producers Lucas and I are dining with, but my focus is shot, hijacked by the scene unfolding just beyond them. My thoughts spiral. Why is she here with Brandon? I've seen them together before—maybe at Blair's agency opening? I think we were introduced. Are they together? An ex? The thought knots in my stomach, tight and unwelcome. It shouldn't matter. I don't have any claim over Sophia.
Still, my attention drifts behind the blonde guy talking—James something?—drawn back to Sophia like a tide I can't fight. She twirls a strand of hair around her finger, her eyes alight as she listens to whatever Brandon is saying, her laughter slipping out, warm and unguarded. It's the kind of laugh that gets under your skin, the kind that lingers in your ears long after it's gone. My jaw tightens when she leans back, completely at ease, like this is exactly where she wants to be. I swallow down something sharp and unfamiliar.
"I think Grant would agree," Lucas says, pulling me out of my momentary tailspin. His expression is expectant, but beneath it, there's a glint of irritation. Pay the fuck attention.
I straighten. "Wholeheartedly. Sounds great."
The dinner meeting is mostly a courtesy—an assessment of what the duo has in their pipeline and whether we might buy, partner, or pass. I haven't worked with them before, but their latest self-funded film performed well on the festival circuit. Maybe they'll be the next Coen brothers. In this business, it never hurts to have the dinner. You've got to eat.
"Hey, man, appreciate the time tonight. We'll send over the clips we spoke about and the numbers and projections for the next five years. We're psyched to take the next step with you," the blonde one says. Jeff? Or maybe he was James?
"Sounds great. You've done impressive work. Looking forward to learning more." Especially when my mind isn't tangled up in the woman behind you.
"Lucas, you have a minute?" I ask as we wait for the duo to depart.
"I knew I should have switched places with you," he says, his voice dry.
"What are you talking about?"
His gaze flicks toward Sophia before he leans in, blocking my line of sight as he opens his laptop. "Any updates to share? Don't blindside me."
"There's nothing to share. I won't blindside you."
