I shoulder past Rudy, shooting him a glare. “Why is he here?”
He frowns at me, confused. “What?”
Rudy has no clue. He’s likely heard some rumors, but this city is nothing but a rumor mill, and nobody ever knows what’s real and what’s not. Not everyone is like West. I’ve worked with plenty of incredible producers and directors, men and women alike.
He’s just not one of them.
I shake my head and storm forward, trying to find an ounce of composure so I don’t make a huge scene that finds its way into the gossip mags by sundown.
Julian’s eyes flick to mine, doing a double take. “Lexington Hall. I don’t believe we’ve officially met.” He holds out a hand when I come up beside Stevie.
I ignore the handshake, ignoring him entirely. Peering down at Stevie, I plant my hand on her hip and give her a small squeeze. “Hey, we need to get going.”
She blinks up at me, maintaining an easy smile. “Oh. Well, I was just introducing myself to Mr. West.” Turning back to the director, she drapes an arm around my back. “This is my boyfriend, Lex—”
“I certainly know who he is,” he says through a laugh. “As I know who you are. You’ve been the trending headline for weeks now. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
They shake hands. My eyes narrow in on the contact as black smoke slithers through me. Julian grazes a rough thumb across her knuckles.
In my mind, his hand has promptly been removed at the wrist by a dull hacksaw and tossed into a meat grinder.
Stevie stiffens slightly, clearing her throat. “Thank you. I’m a huge fan of your work. It’s always been my dream to move to LA and dip my toes into acting.”
“Really,” he states, his eyes shamelessly plastered to her breasts. “You do have the look for it. There’s an old-school glam about you, which is very hot these days. Question is can you act?” A smirk stretches his thin lips.
“I like to think so.” Stevie sends me another glance—not asking for help but for support. Unfortunately for her, I’m a concrete block, every inch of me rigid. “Um, I’ve dabbled in stage acting, though I know it’s not the same,” she continues, pivoting back to him. “I’d love to take some acting classes while I’m out here.”
“Stage acting is nothing to undervalue,” he drawls, biting his lip as he continues to ogle her chest. “Means you’re scrappy. Passionate. I’d be happy to open some doors for you. Let me give you my card.”
No. No fucking cards, no fucking doors.
This meeting is over.
I reach for Stevie’s hand before she can snatch the business card. “Sorry, but she’s not interested.”
She blanches. “What?”
“You’re not interested,” I repeat.
The light leaves her eyes, dulling them to dark-green caverns. Embarrassment tinges her cheeks as she flounders for something to say, glancing back at Julian with a look of apology.
I realize I’m mortifying her, and she’s probably going to try to murder me in my sleep tonight, but it’s a small price to pay. “Let’s go,” I tell her, ushering her to the door.
“You know, Lexington,” Julian calls out as we shuffle away. “It’s never wise to keep your girl on a leash. Well…unless she asks you to.”
The women around him giggle at the cringey sex joke while I drag Stevie through the patio door and text Adrian to come pick us up.
She tears her hand from my grip the moment we’re out of the vicinity of prying eyes. “What the hell was that?”
I steel my voice. “Not here.”
“I don’t care where we are. Explain yourself.”
“I said not here.” Too risky. I can’t have us fighting with all these people around, and I’m too agitated and anxious to dive into this conversation right now.
I need a cigarette.
She locates her yellow cover-up and shoves her arms through the armholes, then hauls her purse strap over one shoulder. “Lex, you need to—”
