Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,50
sexy neck, Miss Revere. I like looking at it with your hair swept off it.”
Dash loved the blush that sprouted on her cheeks.
She ran her nails along his forearm. “I love you in a crisp white shirt with your sleeves rolled up. You have very tanned, very sexy forearms. I like looking at them with your sleeves pushed back.”
He laughed again. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so much in a woman’s company. He hoped that she’d pass the Herc test.
Because if she didn’t, Dash didn’t know what he’d do.
Traffic was heavy heading south. They didn’t pull through his gates until right before seven.
“You live here? I could walk to your place from Dad’s house.”
“I did the other night when I met with him the first time. I drove today because I was afraid I’d trip and fall and show up at the audition with a skinned chin and dirty shirt.”
He came around and let her out of the car.
“That was only this morning? Gosh, your audition seems like a lifetime ago.” As they walked to the front door, Sydney said, “I like your house. The landscaping’s nice. Great colors. A thoughtful layout. ”
He shrugged. “I like flowers.”
“Hmm. You cook. You like flowers. There has to be something wrong with you,” she mused.
“I don’t eat Brussel sprouts. Or beets.”
When he didn’t move, she teasingly asked, “Are we going inside? Or did you only plan to show me the outside of your house and save inside for another time?”
Gathering his courage, he said, “I brought you here because it’s important that you meet someone. My brother.”
Her face lit up. “I get to meet your brother? You are getting serious fast, DeLauria.” She waited a beat and then said, “Well, come on. Open the door. Or are you worried I may find your brother so attractive that I dump your ass for him?”
“Herc is mentally challenged.” There. It was out. The ball was in Sydney’s court.
She took his hand, threading her fingers through his. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“For what?” he asked, puzzled.
Her green eyes glowed at him as her fingers squeezed his. “For trusting me to meet your brother. He’s important to you—so he’s important to me.”
“I just wanted to prepare you.”
He unlocked the front door and escorted her inside. This was a big move on his part. Yet he thought it was a risk worth taking. Herc was enthusiastically all in, whatever he did. If Sydney were going to be in Dash’s life, that meant being in Herc’s, too.
He watched her assess things as she looked at his office on the right and then entered the den.
“Very nice. Cozy yet casually chic.”
“Glad you approve.”
“Dash!” Herc came bounding around the corner, wearing one of his many Mickey Mouse T-shirts and denim shorts. He had a bath towel pinned around his neck, which flared out as he ran into the room.
Herc stopped and gawked at Sydney. “You’re really pretty. I’m Herc. Who are you?”
Dash held his breath.
Without missing a beat, she said, “I’m Sydney, Herc. Are you Dash’s brother?”
“Uh-huh.” Herc waved his arms wide. “I’m also a superhero. I fight crime.”
“That’s why you wear a cape,” Sydney said. “I bet it helps you fly.”
Herc glanced around before he confided, “I don’t really fly. I pretend I can.”
“I used to have my mom pin a cape on me, just like yours. I’d climb on my bicycle and ride as fast as I could down the hill by our house. I loved how the wind would catch my cape and let it fly behind me. Can you ride a bike, Herc?”
“Dash said he’s gonna buy me one soon.”
“Once he does, I’ll help you learn how to ride it.”
“All right!” Herc took Sydney’s hand. “Come look at my room. What’s your name again?”
“Sydney. I’d love to see your room.”
Herc led Sydney down the hall. She never looked back at Dash once. All of her attention was focused on Herc.
Dash blinked back the tears welling in his eyes. Herc liked Sydney.
And she liked Herc.
Dash went into the kitchen. Tim was putting a large pasta pot filled with water on to boil. “Hey, Dash. Glad you made it home in time for dinner. Herc was hoping you would. How did your audition go?”
“I got the part.”
Tim frowned in confusion. “You mean you got the callback?” Tim had been with them long enough to understand how the process worked.
“No. I mean they offered me the role. They’ve already called Pamela to set up a meeting to