Amber’s mind drifted back to the audition room. It had been a different vibe than auditions she’d been to beforeThe Love Raffle. She wouldn’t say that the people there were eager, but they weren’t as nonchalant as people in the past. She had gone there with the expectation that she wouldn’t get the part so when she’d received the call from Beca, she was shocked for the second time in the past month.
Amber sat forward, rubbing the palm of her hand against the bumpy texture of the cushion. Its pattern reminded her of her grandmother’s house. It was Amber’s only safe haven. Once her grandmother passed, she felt like it was taken away from her. “I know, but I…” She faced Elouise and tried not to get distracted by her striking eyes. She had gotten another nose ring recently. The girl just had that edge factor. “I didn’t want to tell you guys this, but you must have seen it, right? What’s going on with Levi?”
Elouise took Amber’s hand. “Hon, apart from the fact that you’re dating him, I don’t know much else. This week has been insane. Been getting more gigs, work has been shit, the vape is doing crazy stuff to my head, and oh my God, it’s all just a blur.” She held the side of her head and blinked. “Yeah, it’s wild out there.” She stared at her black-painted nails. “What’s up with him? Did you find out he’s another Hollywood dickhead?”
It felt hard to swallow. “You guys are always on about how I don’t keep up to date with things but look at you.”
“Sorry. Times are getting crazy for some of us. You know that. I told you about the gig I have atfoura.m., right? All these bars and their odd crowds at strange hours. Swear I nearly smoked a rose at one of those venues.” Elouise tsked. “Crazy stuff.”
“How does one smoke a rose?” Amber had heard it all.
Elouise rolled her eyes in jest and placed her hands on her knees. “Tell me about Levi.” She crossed her legs. “I thought you two were too busy to keep in touch this week.”
Amber gulped. “Yeah but…” She hiccupped. “Sorry.” Her stomach was being weird. “After I got my script for the audition, he sent me a message that his team wants the public to think he’s dating his co-star, and I don’t know. I just feel…weird.” She turned toward Elouise.
Elouise frowned. “Co-star?”
“That famous actress. Fiona Bazoli? She’s an Oscar winner. Have you at leastheard—”
“Crap!” Elouise’s eyes bulged. “I saw that! I saw online that there are rumors about her dating someone, but it didn’t even click in my high brain that they were referring to Levi! Shoot! They’re dating for publicity?!”
Ding-dong.
The two whipped their heads to the door then faced each other.
Amber got up to answer, fixing her hair on the way. She supposed that that would be the end of this conversation for now.
Elouise gathered her things and went to the door with Amber. “Tell me how this date goes when it’s over. Then we can talk about the Bazoli thing.”
Amber nodded as she swung the door open.
“Hi.” Levi was shoved aside by Elouise on her way out as she shot him daggers from her eyes.
“Elouise,” Amber hissed as the young woman sauntered down the hallway.
Elouise turned around, walking backward. “Sorry. Didn’t see you there, movie star.” She twirled on her heel and kept going.
Amber face-palmed when Levi raised a questioning brow at this behavior. She cursed at Elouise internally then held Levi by the arm to tug him in.
Levi closed the door behind him. He wore a cap that cast a shadow over his eyes and dark sweat clothes. “A friend of yours?” he asked while looking around. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d stayed in a place this small. The whole apartment seemed to be one room.Cozy.But he did wonder where Amber slept. There was a couch that was practically the only furniture aside from the dining table and center table in front of the TV. There was indeed another room, but it was the bathroom.
Amber could see him scrutinizing her home. “Yeah,” she said curtly, heading to the cupboards to get the snacks. “A good friend I met at work.” She took down two bags of chips and one bag of popcorn. “You can sit down.” She found it in her to joke around. “If you dare.”
Levi liked her tone. “Trust me, I’m more than happy to.” He pulled off his white hat and put it on the rack near the door.
Amber brought the snacks to the couch. She had already placed the wine and glasses on the center table. “As you can see, I’ve got my Netflix ready.” Looking at him was hard. He’d almost seemed in disguise when he’d come in. “How was your—”
“Looks great— Oh.” They’d both spoken at the same time.
Amber held her face and sighed.
Was it just him or were the vibes off?I haven’t spoken to her with my actual voice since that phone call.With shooting, appearances, and hanging with Fiona, he hadn’t had time to call again. Even though she’d been on his mind every single day.That was how he knew it was real. He’d been so excited to come here and now she seemed distant. “My day was alright. And um…” He could guess what had her a bit on edge. “If you’re worried about the publicity stunt, don’t even bother. Neither Fiona nor I amactuallyinto each other. It’s just something we’ll do until the movie comes out. We’re not even confirming that we’re dating. It’s just something so people can get excited. Heck, some fans even see through it.” He smiled softly, hoping to cheer her up. It hurt him to see her so uncertain of herself. Granted, the reason behind that could have nothing to do with him but even if it didn’t, he wanted her to know the truth.
Amber picked up the remote from the center table. “I know. I understand. This business is tough, huh?” She smiled tightly. “Requires a lot of manipulation sometimes. To get the masses to consume.” She stared at the remote in her hand. “I guess I just…I don’t know. I’m new to this.”
Levi nodded. “If you want, I can just scrap it. Just come out and say that me and Ms. Bazoli are very good friends and that’s all. Want me to do that? Cause I would if it would mean making you happy.” He inched closer.
Amber’s face heated. Was he even hearing himself? “And ruin your stunt? No. I’m just a girl you met like what? Twice? Don’t do something crazy, Levi.” She was amused and touched he would say that. How uncool would it sound now to tell him not to do that? “This second date is the test, right?”
