Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,35

running behind by then. We aren’t even starting until nine.”

“I like to be early,” he said. “Tell me where to park myself.”

“Follow me.”

She led him to a small room off the main entryway. It was full of natural light and comfortable furniture. He could also see the front door from this spot.

“Would you like anything? Coffee? OJ? Water?”

“Nothing right now. Thanks, Jayla.”

“Okay. I’ll be back in a bit and give you your pages.”

Dash paced restlessly for five minutes until he heard a car pull up out front. He watched through a large bay window as Cassie Corrigan got out of a Prius. She was the reason he’d arrived this early. Dash figured Sydney was upstairs. He wanted to grab the screenwriter and pump her for information.

He went to the front door and opened it before she could ring the doorbell.

“You startled me,” she said. Then her mouth flattened in a thin line as her eyes narrowed.

“I understand the sisterhood of women thing,” he said quickly. “I know you’re totally on Sydney’s side and that she’s told you everything but that’s her version of things, Cassie. Not mine.” He let his eyes do the pleading and didn’t see her softening any as she entered the house.

“You’re saying you didn’t violate her privacy and go through her storyboards?”

“I can tell you that my inquisitiveness got the better of me and that, yes, I did look at them. It was like Pandora opening that damned box in a weak moment. I was tempted, just as she was.” He grew serious. “Like Pandora, I slammed the box and left one thing inside.

“Hope.”

Dash saw understanding light Cassie’s eyes.

“Exactly. I know I blew it with Sydney but I wasn’t using her. If anything, I was taken by her. She’s Hollywood royalty. A real-life American princess. About as far out of my league as I could imagine.” He paused. “And I’m absolutely crazy for her.”

Cassie pondered his words. “You’re telling me you didn’t use her.”

“No. I really like her. She’s not like any woman I’ve ever been around. She’s smart and beautiful and way talented. Yes, a small part of me flipped through the storyboards wondering about Paul’s character but the rest? I was fascinated by her artistic talent and how she captured everything about the plot so fully and succinctly.”

She gave him a long, tough look. “I don’t know, Dash. You really hurt her. I haven’t known Sydney long but we’ve already grown close.”

“I can tell. Not only did I hurt her, I hurt myself. My chance of having a shot with her. Of staying friends with you and Rhett. Listen, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the cookout at your place the other night. I’ve been a loner in this town for a decade yet I felt so at ease with you two and Ken and Melanie. You’re all stand-up people. Smart. Interesting. Honest. I want you guys in my life as much as I do Sydney.” He amended his words. “But I want Sydney more. She’s . . . she’s special.”

“My role in this middle school soap opera is to act as the go-between? Sure you don’t want to write a note for me to pass to her? Check yes or no if you like me—that kind of thing?”

Dash had to laugh. Cassie joined in and he sensed the tension between them dissolve.

“I know Sydney doesn’t want to have anything to do with me now. I don’t have her number. I can’t text her. Call her. Still, I wanted someone close to her to know the truth. I mean it, Cassie. I can’t stop thinking about her.”

“No promises,” she emphasized. “If the opportunity comes up, I’ll do what I can.”

“Thank you,” he said sincerely, hoping she would be able to help him make some headway.

Dash returned to wait for his audition slot. Two other actors arrived. One was a big name that he knew. The other was a fresh face. He wondered how many people were up for the role of Paul. Jayla appeared and handed out pages to all three of them. Dash thanked her and took a seat off by himself. He read through the six pages, which comprised two very different scenes, and mentally prepared himself. Then he read through them again, more slowly. By the third read-through, he had his lines memorized.

He set the pages aside and closed his eyes, imaging both scenes. He took them apart. Put them back together again. He got inside Paul’s head. Inside