Jennifer crossed her legs but leaned forward like she was some sort of mindreader. “Yeah. I need to know if I can trust you.”
“I’m your only cousin,” Ashley said the words fast, in a defensive reflex.
She’d never admitted to having a burning crush on her former boss’s brother to anyone. Cleaning Elizabeth Morgan’s, now Soliz’s, house had somehow brought her to seeing Matthew and falling hard for him and this time she’d have the confidence to talk and tellhim. It seem so real she could almost taste and smell the flavor.
Matthew Morgan had been a star most of his adult life, unattainable and out of her reach.
He was up for a major franchise movie hero role that would place him as the undisputed King of Hollywood. No one would think she’d ever, ever have a shot as his girlfriend or more, especially Jennifer.
If she could comeup with a way where she didn’t have to explain her reasons for wanting to be on this movie set, life would be better.
Jennifer crossed her arms and stared at her like she was an ant. “You took the Morgan money and gave them their baby.”
“Their” being the key word. The baby she grew inside her belly was not hers genetically. The money to settle the situation fast had secured a futureshe’d never have achieved scrubbing toilets.
She could now have her own maid, if she wanted, and live in her own small mansion. “I had no legal claim on the baby, not really, and they offered compensation for my time.”
Jennifer’s lips pressed together as her face went red. “And you married the man I loved.”
Ah. The whole obsession with Peter Morgan thing. Ashley honestly didn’tget it. He was nice looking but he was rather stuffy even for a banker, and absolutely in love with his real wife. Ashley sat back. “For less than twenty-four hours. My marriage was shorter than yours.”
Jennifer’s nose crinkled like Ashley had just scored a point. “Chris… let’s not discuss him. We’re talking about you and Peter. You know how I feel about him.”
The entire world knewshe was obsessed. Bringing that up wouldn’t get her what she wanted today. Ashley sat straighter, pushed her hair behind her ears and said, “Look, he’s nothing to me, but I do want this job as your assistant.”
Jennifer tapped her fingers against her armrest. “Why though? You were paid millions.”
Ashley held her tongue. Her skin had that pins and needles feel. Cash hadn’t solved anything.Was it possible to get this job and not explain? She took a breath. “For the first time in my life, yeah, I have money. But I want more.”
“Money?”
“No. I want a chance to follow…”
A knock at the door sounded. They both looked behind them, and Matthew Morgan walked in. He nodded politely at her and handed Jennifer a script.
Ashley admired his perfectly sculpted musclesunder his gray t-shirt and thin hiking pants that likely had been tailored for him.
Talk girl. Now. Say hi.
Adrenaline shot through her. No words came out.
Hello is not a hard word to utter. Speak.
But she couldn’t. She was paralyzed.
If only he knew that she existed.
He waved goodbye and closed the door.
Jennifer put the note about the script changebeside her and then raised her eyebrow. “Matthew? Wait. Seriously?”
Drat. She’d guessed. Was it so obvious? Ashley began to bite her lip but then stopped. That habit was a bad one. She straightened her spine. “He never noticed me when I was cleaning his sister’s house.”
Jennifer laughed so hard she held her belly. She stared at the door and then at Ashley’s face and at the door again.Once she stopped laughing, Jennifer still held her belly in case she cracked up again. “My co-star? Our lawyers had to draw out agreements on what we can and cannot discuss on set before either of us agreed to make this movie.”
Understandable. Not that she’d say that to Jennifer. Instead she nodded and just agreed so she’d get the job. “The last one you made with him and Eva Bishop wasa huge hit.”
Jennifer sat normal again and rolled her eyes. “Ugh. Eva stole the show there, but she’s playing my sister in this one. Getting to be the bad sister is way more fun.”
