Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,36

his skin. He sat differently. Breathed differently.

Dash became Paul.

◆◆◆

Sydney finished up on her notes. She was glad Regina Stevens served as casting director for this film. Sydney thought Regina was one of the best in Hollywood. Now that Sydney had become friends with Cassie, she wanted to do everything possible to help make this screenplay into an outstanding movie. As with any film, the key was in the casting. Put the right actors into the roles and screen magic could happen. With Cassie’s script and her dad’s direction, Sydney had high hopes for No Regrets at the box office.

Sydney pushed her iPad aside. So far, they’d seen two actors. The first had more experience in TV than films but he’d done a decent audition. Not enough to win the part but she could see he had talent. The second actor barely had a resume. He’d done an admirable job but she thought he was too young to play Paul. Sydney’s notes included having him return to read for a different part that she thought more suitable for him.

Number Three would be next. Regina always liked to number the actors and not use names. The casting agent already had full files with headshots and resumes on anyone who walked through the door but she liked to keep things streamlined during the audition process.

Sydney wondered when Dash’s number would be called.

She’d told Cassie pretty much everything, though she’d tried to play down the raw hurt of the experience. The fiery Texan had been furious, ready to find Dash and punch his lights out. It made Sydney laugh but it also had her thankful that she’d already made such a loyal friend. Cassie immediately texted Melanie to make sure that she didn’t invite Dash to the upcoming weekend dinner at the Camerons’ house. Neither of her friends wanted her to be uncomfortable with Dash on the premises.

Sydney still had his wallet, though. She hadn’t opened it. She wanted to, if only to locate his address and have a messenger drop it off, but she’d accused Dash of invading her privacy. She wouldn’t turn around and do the same thing to him. That’s why she’d brought it downstairs with her this morning, knowing Dash would be here sometime today. She would act like an adult and return it to him. No hard feelings.

Just a broken heart.

No, she shouldn’t say that. No strings had been attached to their romp in the sack. That’s all it was, Sydney realized, and she’d willingly played along, swept up in the moment. She’d gone totally out of her wheelhouse and done something wild and spontaneous. Something the teenaged Sydney would’ve done.

Except younger Sydney wouldn’t have regretted it as older Sydney did. She supposed she didn’t have the mindset of having sex for the sake of sex. She wanted—no, needed—an emotional connection. Unfortunately, she’d made one. Dash hadn’t. He hadn’t promised her one so she shouldn’t have had any expectations that he would experience what she had. Most girls ten years younger than her had their hearts broken in this way. Sydney just never had that kind of experience. Now that she was older, she should be wiser, but she felt as wounded as any sixteen-year-old girl jilted by her first love. Not that she loved Dash. No way. That was crazy talk.

“Everyone ready to move on?” Regina asked.

Both she and Cassie nodded. Jayla went to the door and called, “Number Three. You’re up.”

Sydney held her breath as Dash walked in. She swallowed the panic that rose once she recognized him and told herself to be objective. He deserved a fair shot from her, no matter what had gone down between them.

Yet it wasn’t Dash who crossed the room to stand in front of the panel. This man moved uniquely. His body language and posture appeared different. His hair was combed back. Sydney’s mind knew this was Dash, but she was looking at Paul Hannigan—and she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

The atmosphere in the room changed. He didn’t greet them, as most actors would. His eyes roamed over each woman at the table, assessing her. Then he took a long drag from the cigarette in his hand before dropping it in the coffee cup in front of Cassie. A chill oozed through Sydney.

Regina seemed to take it all in stride and said, “We’ll do the first scene you received. Jayla will read Rachel’s part.”

Paul shrugged.

Jayla took her place and held up the typed scene. She frowned. Sydney knew Jayla