Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,38

touched her arm. “I’m about to go out on a limb here.”

Sydney saw the pained expression on her friend’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“I hate to meddle. I really shouldn’t get involved.” She sighed. “Dash stopped me on the way in this morning.”

Sydney jumped to her feet, feeling flustered. “What did he say?” She watched Cassie hesitate. “Oh, no. He got to you. That charming asshole explained everything away and now you’re on his side.”

“No,” Cassie said firmly. “You’re my home girl. I’d never betray you. I’m really good at reading people, though. I found him to be sincere.”

Sydney snorted. “How did he explain away poking through my stuff after he’d worn me out sexually? How he used me to gain access to—”

“He admitted he read through the storyboards,” Cassie interrupted. “He was very upfront and said he saw what it was and gave in to temptation. But Sydney, he didn’t go to your place with that in mind. He went because he likes you. He still does. I could see how worried he’s been.”

“We just saw how great an actor he is, Cassie. He could’ve faked that interest.”

“I don’t think so. He was upset. He knew he’d done some terribly wrong. Call me Crazy Cassie—but I think you need to hear him out. Maybe even give him another chance.”

Sydney wished she could believe Dash was contrite for what he’d done but sidling up to Cassie in order to have her butter Sydney up? Nope. She wasn’t going there.

“Oh, I’ll give him a chance, all right.”

Sydney stormed from the room, her fingers tightening around Dash’s wallet. She was ready to shove it where the sun didn’t shine.

CHAPTER 11

Dash avoided looking at the two actors sitting in the room, poring over their pages. He retreated to the same chair as before, his hands on his knees, slowing his breathing in order to clear his mind.

He’d aced the audition.

He knew he had the role. They might test other actors but his heart told him he would be playing Paul Hannigan.

He should be ecstatic.

Dash fought to keep Sydney out of his mind but failed. She’d looked amazing just now. Her long hair was swept back in a low ponytail, revealing her perfect bone structure. She was wearing a mint green blouse under a navy blazer. She smelled terrific. Dash was glad he hadn’t seen her as he entered the audition room. If he had, he would’ve lost it.

Instead, he walked in the door as Paul. He was aware of Sydney in his peripheral vision but kept his focus inward, becoming the man on the page. Every thought, every action, was Paul. After, it was as if he flipped a switch and felt himself returning to his body. That’s when he’d become aware of Sydney.

He dropped his head into his hands and ran his fingers through his hair. Wondered how long Regina Stevens was going to make him wait. Wondered what the casting director would tell him. Maybe she’d notify him of the upcoming callback. He was certain he’d get it. Maybe Monty Revere would be present for that round.

Dash smelled Sydney before she spoke. He looked up and saw she’d entered the room and was talking quietly to both actors. After a minute, the two men handed her their pages and left the room. Sydney came toward him. He stood, uncertainty filling him.

She looked as if she wanted to say something to him but at the last minute she reined it in. Instead, she handed him his wallet. “You left this.”

He slipped it into his back pocket. “Maybe I accidentally forgot it. So I’d have an excuse to come get it,” he teased, hoping a playful tone might thaw the cold in her voice.

Her green eyes hardened. “Stop flirting, Dash. You don’t have to play me anymore. You got the role. No second or third callbacks. You’re Paul Hannigan. Regina will call your agent later today to confirm and set up contract talks. She’ll want you available to read once we’ve winnowed down our choice of Rachel to a few actresses but that’ll take some time. Unless we get lucky and hit the jackpot like we have with you.”

She turned to go. Dash touched her shoulder. “Wait.” He dropped his hand as she faced him.

Sydney’s eyes sparked with anger. “What? You want to give me the same sob story you gave Cassie, whatever that was.”

“I didn’t give Cassie a story. I told her the truth. I made a terrible mistake when I opened that notebook