“We’ve been working for fifteen minutes, and you haven’t made a single correction or so much as a comment.”
“Because you’re doing fine.”
He smirked. “I’m doing fine.”
What was his problem? “Yes, you’re doing fine.”
“That first read-through wasn’t fine. It was mediocre at best.”
“And we’re running through it again. At least we were until you stopped to argue.”
“I’m not arguing. I’m just asking why you’re not giving me any input.”
She huffed. “Because you’refine.”
His lips tightened. His eyes probably snapped closed with frustration, but the sunglasses hid them. He glanced at the script. Took a moment to get into character and picked up where he’d left off.
She went through the rest of the scene mechanically. What was going on with him? Why was he so touchy? She was the one with feelings. The one who’d made a complete fool of herself. His mood impacted his reading. He was tense and the delivery sounded forced, even to her untrained ears.
He delivered the last line, then glanced her way, his expression unreadable.
“That was... fine.”
He scowled. “That was terrible. Why don’t you just say it?”
“Fine, it was terrible. Try it again.”
He tossed the script to the grass. “What is going on with you?”
“With me? You’re the one who’s been so distant.”
“I’vebeen distant? You won’t even tell me when my acting’s bad. I thought you cared about this movie and your preciousLedger.”
She saw her own eyes narrow in the reflection of his glasses. “Now you have a problem with the character? If you find him so ridiculous, why’d you even take the part? And would you please take off those stupid sunglasses?”
He ripped them off and tossed them onto the script. A storm was brewing in his eyes. “I have no problem with the character, but if you care so much, why aren’t you critiquing my performance? I thought that was the whole point of this?”
“Not thewholepoint. We’re also working on your little image problem, remember?”
He gave a mirthless chuckle. “Oh, you’re definitely doing your part there.”
A blast of heat erupted, spreading into her limbs, into her neck. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Not a thing. You’re right. We’re working on my image and you’re doing a bang-up job of it. You learn fast, I’ll give you that.”
She flinched. “Why does that sound like such an insult?”
“It’s fine. I guess there’s nothing wrong with being an opportunist. God knows I’ve been surrounded by them all my life.”
She was on her feet before she even thought about it.“Opportunist?”
He rose to his feet, their gazes clashing as they faced off.
She wished she hadn’t worn flats because he towered over her, and she hated giving him the advantage. She tried for a deep breath, but her lungs felt tight and rigid. “What are you talking about?”
“Come on, Chloe. I know you saw the paps the other night. And that’s fine—it benefited me too.”
Chloe froze. Her lungs hardened like cement. He thought she—Wait a minute.
