so only Luke could hear her comments. “I mean, this table is one tangled web of drama. Can I get you a cocktail or something? I’m headed to the bar. I’m too impatient to wait for the server.”
“I’ll join you.” Luke stood, offering Whitney his arm. If Elle could bring her ex to the Globes, knowing they’d be seated together, he could certainly turn on the charm with her best friend. All’s fair in love and war.
He glanced back just once before walking to the bar with Whitney. Elle was watching him, her chest rising and falling quickly and her cheeks turning a deep red. It was working.
Just you wait, he thought, knowing this was far from over.
After mingling with other stars from the network and polishing off his first cocktail, Luke escorted Whitney back to the table. Just as she reached her chair, she declared in a surprisingly less-than-subtle tone, “I’m not hanging up that t-shirt just yet.”
Luke had no idea what Whitney was talking about, but apparently Elle did. He turned to see her, eyes wide, glaring at Whitney. Luke chuckled, knowing it was some sort of message in his favor. He’d take any support he could get.
Nolan interrupted Luke’s enjoyment of the moment, tapping him on the shoulder. Luke never had any complaints regarding the man whom he was, for all intents and purposes, replacing on the show. In fact, he was grateful to the fellow actor for making his career happen.
“Can I have a word with you, Luke?”
“Um . . .” He glanced around the table, confused. “Sure?”
He walked with Nolan, who appeared frustrated and annoyed, to a relatively quiet spot near the bar.
“What’s up?”
“Leave her alone,” Nolan sneered.
Luke was at a loss. “Wait, hold up. Who are you talking about?”
If Elle had another man attempting to woo her, Luke would blow a freaking gasket. He could handle the ex, but Nolan too? What the hell?
“Whitney. I see how she’s looking at you.” Nolan’s nostrils flared as he looked back toward table 19.
“I’m not interested in Whitney. She’s just keeping me sane, dude.” Luke placed his hand on Nolan’s shoulder. “C’mon, let me get you a drink. You must be on edge tonight. Is this your first nomination?”
“Yeah. But man, I’m crazy about that girl. I didn’t realize it when we were just screwing around, but now? Now, it’s like . . . I’d do anything to get her back.”
“I feel your pain, man, I really do.” Luke looked back at Elle, who was leaning in, talking quietly with her ex. With every movement she made toward the restaurateur, Luke felt less confident, less empowered. He could only hope a little liquid courage would aid him in staying the course.
The two men ordered their respective drinks before walking slowly back to the table. “Sorry about that, I just—God, she drives me nuts.”
“Don’t worry about it. But she is helping me at the moment, so try not to take a little friendly banter as anything more than that, okay?”
“Trying to ruffle the boss lady’s feathers, huh?”
“That obvious?”
Nolan chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “A little. You can take that guy.”
Luke laughed, patting Nolan on the back, knowing he had no intention of coming to physical blows with Troy Saladino, but he appreciated the sentiment just the same. “Thanks, man.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, please find your seats. Taping will begin in ten minutes.” The announcer’s voice came booming over the loudspeaker and attendees scattered back to their tables. The women at table 19 checked their makeup and hair. The tipsy Gina tugged on Luke’s arm as she applied another layer of lipstick. She puckered her lips, checked her teeth, and gave Luke her sexiest attempt at a smile.
True, Gina Romano was a beautiful woman . . . on the outside. But her personality was deplorable and Luke had absolutely no interest in being dragged into her web of lies and delusion. She jeopardized his relationship with Elle, and for that he would never forgive her.
“I missed you. Come sit with me.”
“I’m sitting.” He glared at her, shaking her arm away from his.
“Fine, whatever.”
“I won’t be your photo op, Gina.” His voice was husky and deep as he scolded the actress. Within seconds, and without pondering his earlier discussion with Nolan, he was leaning to his left. “Do me a favor,” he whispered into Whitney’s ear. “Switch places with me?”
Whitney raised her eyebrows, then looked around him toward Gina. “Sorry, pal. I have to draw the line somewhere.”