This audition was such a big deal. She loved all things acting—theater, film, television—all of it. While film had been her goal because the paychecks were so much heftier, she kept a super soft spot in her heart for theater productions.
She nodded. “Theater. Denver. Leaving in about an hour for the airport.”
“I thought you wanted to do movies?” Knox asked, taking the offered cup from Tanner, and completing an elaborate handshake with him without ever breaking the thread of attention he’d placed on Irina.
“I want to act.” And get paid well for it. “Wherever that may be.” There was something to be said about performing for a live audience and the thrill that came from that rush of energy they shared with the performers. She didn’t want to be stuck only on film or television—she and her agent agreed she wanted to do it all.
The excitement of not knowing what would happen next or if someone might fall off script and a girl would have to go rogue. Not to mention this production ofLove Me Tonightwas, honestly, one of her favorite plays of all time. She knew the soundtrack by heart, and she wasn’t ashamed to admit that sometimes, late at night, she’d dream about being cast in the role of Persephone.
Now she actually had the chance, because Persephone number one was about to need an understudy.
“Honestly, getting engaged to you has been one of my best decisions,” Irina admitted without even a shred of doubt.
“So far I’m still waiting for it to work out for me,” Knox grumbled, even though he hadn’t been slayed in the tabloids for a whole forty-eight hours.
Irina draped her hand over his shoulders like she’d done dozens of times as his platonic friend. This time, however, the side of her breast perked to attention where it met his shoulder. Her body’s reaction to him was getting silly.
She dropped her arm and pulled off the top to the vanilla latte, because she hated drinking goodness like this through the teeny little hole. “I wonder what’s going to happen once we get married. Maybe my career will really take off.”
Knox was giving her a funny, quizzical look. Maybe the side boob thing had affected him, too?
Nah, the guy had seen and felt loads of side boob, she was certain.
She placed the lid on the counter next to his cup.
“What are you doing?” Knox asked, nudging the lid with the tip of his finger.
“Fancy coffee tastes so much better when a girl can get the full mouth experience,” Irina announced.
“The full mouth experience?” Mach asked.
“See, you can get a better gulp. Like this.” Irina illustrated, opened her mouth wide and pulled the foamed milk through her lips using the precise amount of suction, so the vanilla-flavored espresso cooled before hitting her taste buds.
Mach slid his gaze to Knox. “You have the potential to be a very lucky man, you know that?”
Tanner turned tomato-sauce red.
“What?” Irina asked, mentally scrolling back to the last time a guy had had the opportunity to appreciate her abilities with latte foam. Then she stopped that because she hadn’t done that since—well, not since she’d decided to focus on her career and forgo any new attempts at trying for love.
“I guess we should pack.” Knox smacked his knees and stood. “You boys heading back or are you staying put?”
“Heading back,” Tanner said at the same time Mach announced, “Staying put.”
“I guess I’m staying put because somebody’s gotta keep an eye on this one.” Tanner jerked his thumb toward Mach. “I’ll head back in a few days once he’s got Los Angeles out of his system.”
“I guess this makes it easier to ensure they make it back on time for the wedding.” Tanner lifted his cup, but he left the lid on.
The man had no idea what he was missing.
“You’re supposed to ensure we get back in time?” Knox asked, his eyebrows scrunching together.
“Duh,” Mach said.
“Why else would we come?” Tanner pulled up the barstool next to Mach.
“Because I am an awesome mentor as you enter your rock star adolescence?” Knox asked.
Did he seem disappointed? He totally did.
