“I’ve been good. What about you, Mr. Movie Star?”
I ran my tongue over my lips and rolled my eyes. Suddenly, I wasn’t so proud of thehottest man in horrortitle.
“I’ve been doing good too.” I looked around the lot. People were moving all around us, going from sound stages to offices, not paying any attention. I returned my focus to her. “Actually, things have been kind of great. I don’t know if you’ve seen everything.”
She leaned against a railing in front of a building and crossed her arms over her chest, tightening her leather jacket around herself. I ran my gaze down her body. Under the jacket, she had on a tight minidress that was a faded reddish-purple. Underneath were fishnets and black boots. Tattoos littered her skin, making me curious about the ones I couldn’t see. It was as if someone had taken my wet dreams and crafted my ideal woman from them.
My ideal woman had always been Evie Reyes.
“I’ve seen a bit. Congrats, Sebastian. You’ve worked so hard for all of this.”
“I have.” I nodded. “I fired Heather ages ago. It was the best decision I ever made. I was able to take control of my career.Step-Devilwas a hit. Did you get a chance to see it?”
“I heard about it.” She blushed and looked away. “I didn’t go see it.”
I brushed my bruised ego off with a wave and a chuckle. “Aw, well, you should. It’s a good movie. It got nominated.”
“That’s the one with the...”
“Sex scene?” I wiggled my eyebrows. “Oh yeah. I had to go twice as hard at the gym to make sure I looked good for it.”
“I bet. Well...that’s kind of why I avoided watching it. It’s a little awkward to see.” She rolled her shoulders and tugged on her jacket uncomfortably. Her gaze shifted around, as if looking for an escape. I knew that look, but panic set in. I couldn’t let her go so fast.
I just got her back.
“What? My ass? It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.” I laughed loudly, overcompensating for the awkwardness I was creating. “And that’s nothing compared to what they have me doing in the nextSimon Says. They are going to pay me big fucking money—we’re talking blockbuster money—to go full-frontal in a sex scene with some chick I haven’t even met. I’m sure she’s a crazy fangirl or something.” I smirked and moved closer, trying to force the old familiarity. She visibly cringed and gave me wild eyes. Heat flooded my face, and I stepped back. My heart began to race. This wasn’t right. Since when was I this cocky asshole? I took a breath. I needed to back the fuck up and try again.
“You look great.”
My mind, body, and soul were responding to her presence as if I’d been thrown back in time. I was a sixteen-year-old in love. Those three small words seemed to break the tension between us. Her lips slowly curved upward into a smile.
She laughed again, and my cock hardened. Oh God, I really was acting like a teenage boy.
She brushed her hair behind her ear, revealing stretched lobes with white, heart tunnels. I shook my head, still in disbelief that she was really here, a foot away from me. Her eyes drifted behind me, and her expression perked up. She waved.
“Dante!”
I turned and saw Dante heading toward us. Jealousy rolled through me in dark waves as I stared him down. I’d seen the type of women Dante dated before. They were Evie look-alikes. I wasn’t going to give him the chance to steal what was mine. My hand twitched with the desire to pull Evie into my side like I would have years ago, but I forced myself to stand still and feign nonchalance.
“Evie! I see you’ve found Sebastian. Seb, Evie has agreed to come on as Ronny’s love interest.”
My eyes widened, and I looked back at Evie. My stomach tightened with mortification as I realized what I’d just said moments before. I’d called her a fangirl.
The woman who’d been cast wasn’t someone who wanted to fuck me—she was one who already had.
“One of them, anyway,” Dante said, interrupting my thoughts. “We’ve cast two women in a love triangle situation. Have you read the updated script yet?” he asked me.
I shook my head.
“No, I haven’t. Sorry.” I turned to Evie, my face still warm. “I didn’t realize.”
“It’s okay,” she said, offering me a small smile.
“Here’s Johnny.” I looked to Evie, hoping she’d remember our code. A flicker of recognition hit her eyes as she took in that I didn’t want Dante here. He was an intruder in our conversation.
“Ugh. I forgot you two used to do that. What does that mean? It’s fromThe Shining, I know that,” Dante muttered. I stared blankly at him. Why would I tell him our code? Sensing the awkward tension, he chuckled nervously. When I continued to glare, his focus went behind us, and his eyes lit up.
“And there’s the other girl now. This is perfect. Skye! Over here!” He waved.
