In high school she’d seen the boxy colors in magazines. “It’s like a comic book.”
Matt was known for romantic comedies and drama pieces in his movies. Did he want to be an action hero too? He’d be amazing in anything. She met his blue eyes while he said, “Thattoo. So, what are we talking about now that we’re alone?”
Now she needed to voice her dreams. She ignored the tingles in her face and body as she took a step toward him. “Did you mean that the job starts tonight, and I can crash at your place?”
A huge grin that radiated a thousand watts of brightness greeted her as he said, “So you’re taking the job?”
Her heart lifted as sheglanced away, melting inside from desires she’d told herself were silly dreams. “Yes.”
He nodded. “How much?”
And there it was. The bubble inside her soul burst and the white walls were a stark reminder of who she was, boring and plain. She waved her hand. “We’ll hammer that out, after work, over dinner?”
He patted her shoulder, like they were friends, but her body pulsatedas he said, “Sounds great. I know an Italian spot near here. You eat pasta?”
The image of Jennifer whispering what to say hit her but she shook it off and offered to shake his hand. “I love it.”
His scruff was longer than it used to be since last summer, but those blue eyes of his shimmered in the light. “Then we can make the deal over a bowl of spaghetti.”
By themselves.Alone. Good. She held up two fingers. “Two bowls. I get my own.”
He opened the door behind her, a signal that he had to go. “You’re nothing like Hollywood.”
No. She wouldn’t pretend not to eat. She refused to go through Jennifer’s stringent eating requirements so she looked her peak but starved her soul. “Is that bad?”
He pointed to the end of the hall. “It’s pretty great.Look, I have to run my lines with Eva and Jennifer before we shoot. Stick around.”
Jennifer and Eva had their heads together and Jennifer didn’t even glance her way. Ashley shook off her fears. Her cousin wouldn’t interfere with her dreams. Not this time. She squeezed Matt’s arm, like she’d wanted to all along and said, “I’m all yours.”
He kissed her cheek. “Now that’s good to hear.We’ll work out the contracts over dinner and settle up before the night is over.”
Or never sign. One day she wanted to be his real girlfriend. Ashley didn’t argue. “Sounds like a plan.”
This was a way to start following her dreams and not be so anxious that she let other people ignore her anymore. She’d already talked to him. Next step was to wow him so he knew that she was absolutelythe girl for him. Then maybe he’d finally see her, the real her.
Chapter 4
Matthew checked his damp hair in the mirror—he was growing it out to play Axel in the movie they were filming. No more makeup for the lights or camera. It was warm outside so his hair would dry on the way to the restaurant.
He would spend the rest of the evening getting to know Ashley and the thought left him feeling lighter than air.
She reminded him of thehot days and nights of Miami.
As he headed out, he even had a whistle on his lips, but then as he neared his co-star’s open door, he heard Ashley as she said, “Jennifer, I’ll see you tomorrow at 8 AM.”
Jennifer replied, “I’m so happy you came to me today. Good luck with everything and I’ll see you soon.”
Came?
As in the job? Or was there something else?
His mindraced.
In a small way Ashley and Jennifer had similar features though Ashley’s face was prettier and fleshed out. Jennifer was all angles and hard edges. Was that why she seemed familiar?
Before he could knock, Ashley walked out and almost rammed into him. She stopped and he felt the loss of her even though they hadn’t touched. She motioned with her head and they went outside.
The studio lot was brightened by the California sun. People who worked on set rushed around, but it was nice to be out of the green room today. He took a deep breath to clear his mind. “Ashley, are you keeping your job with Jennifer?”
