As she stepped onto the first stair, Matt reached behind her for her hand and said, “No. Stay.”
She faced him—her mind buzzed and she didn’t have one logical reason for him to ask her to stay with him. “Why?”
She stared at him with open eyes as he said,“Because you were honest. Don’t make me be a jerk now. What is your dream? It can’t be getting Jennifer coffee.”
“My dream includes being honest with you.” It was impossible for Matt to ever be hurtful. It was part of his gentleman-always charm. Her heart soared but her brain yelled at her to stop believing in fairy tales. “Can you get past me being a maid and not telling you immediately?”
He squeezed her hand he held like they were friends and nodded. “I’m glad you told me. Now we can ensure our lie has more meat to it.”
Lie. She hadn’t known her heart was capable of twisting like a pretzel until today. She hadn’t expected him to still want her here—and yet it was to create another lie. She blinked and asked for clarification with one simple question she could actuallyutter. “What?”
He kissed her hand and awareness of him grew as he said, “I still need you to be my pretend girlfriend, Ashley.”
“Really?” She imagined kissing him in public again.
Or staying here, for real. This wasn’t how or what she’d hoped but reality might be better this time than dreams.
If she was honest she’d expected her plan to fall apart and for her to bealone in a hotel room, with a bottle of wine while she cried.
Her heart whispered this was all too much, but she sighed. It wasn’t. Maybe this was her chance to get what she wanted.
Another kiss. For Matt to have a chance to fall in love with her, for real.
Okay, maybe that was a stretch, but she would stay and help him out.
Ashley Romero was good at helping Morgansout of their troubles.
He nodded at her. “Yes. We’ll talk more tomorrow morning. I don’t have to be on set, so we can take our time.”
“I’m still meeting Jennifer.” So this was the end of their evening together, rather than any more kisses. Fair enough. She’d pretend to be his girlfriend and help him get his starring role. She ignored how her skin buzzed as she said, “Maybe lunch?”
“Sounds good. We can deal with the contract in the morning.”
“Good night then, Matt.”
“Good night.” He stepped away.
There was nothing else to say. She turned and headed up the stairs. Tomorrow really was another day, an opportunity for a day without mistakes. And maybe she had a chance with Matt.
Chapter 6
Matt was grateful that he wasn’t expected on set today.
He must have bags under his eyes from restless sleep.
The sun peeked through his tinted windows with no blinds, brighter by the second. Maybe he’d catch the sunrise.
He didn’t normally see the sun come up as his comfy bed with all-white bamboo sheets usually helped him sleep soundly.
Lastnight had been the exception as Ashley’s lips and curves taunted him like a toy he’d been denied.
She hadn’t denied him—he hadn’t asked. No one ever told him no; his last name and actor status meant no one ever tried.
But his body was tight and needy when he normally slept like a baby. He’d need a workout—but not the one he actually wanted.
In Ashley’s bed, but that was abad idea.
Knowing Ashley was down the hall haunted him, and he wasn’t sure if this was good or bad.
