Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,77
your copy now. By the time you’ve read the entire thing, we’ll be back from the hospital and go from there.”
CHAPTER 24
Dash opened his eyes. Today was his birthday—and Sydney’s. They were both thirty.
His life had changed so much since this time last year. His solid career in Hollywood had taken a positive turn. No Regrets would show he was more than a one-dimensional action star. Pamela Otto had already fielded several new scripts, based upon early word leaking out that Dash was filming his breakout movie. He’d told the agent to read everything that came in and make notes on why she liked or didn’t like each script but he wouldn’t look at any of them until filming ended. He didn’t want any distractions at this point. His eyes were focused on the work at hand.
More than anything, his attitude about women had changed. When his mother abandoned their family because she couldn’t deal with Herc’s disability, it had bred a deep-seated mistrust regarding all women. Dash hadn’t wanted or needed a woman in his life—until Sydney.
Despite maintaining their distance during the movie’s production, he was more in love with her than he could have ever thought possible. Working with her had been a dream. Sydney maintained an easy camaraderie on set. Her thoughtful suggestions each day made subtle differences in every scene filmed. Ron Sampson had visited the soundstage after Marlyn’s firing. The studio head arrived with a nervous tic but after watching Sydney’s thorough, laid-back direction and seeing how the cast and crew responded, Ron departed with a satisfied look and hadn’t returned.
Sydney had blossomed since taking over the reins from Monty. Dash had known she was smart and talented but directing brought out an entirely new side of her that he respected and admired. Even in her plain set attire and no makeup, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Though No Regrets had easily become his favorite filming experience, he couldn’t wait for it to be over so they could pick up where they left off. Dash was certain the movie would do well, giving Sydney the opportunity for a whole new career. She would prove herself to the Hollywood community and make her mark with this film—and no one would think she’d gotten where she was because of her relationship with Dash or her famous father.
He got out of bed and opened the small box containing her birthday gift. Inside was a pair of earrings that he knew would look spectacular on her. The box wasn’t even wrapped. He wanted to pass it to her when no one was looking. Dash didn’t want to upset the boundaries that she’d created but he wanted her to know he was thinking of her all the same.
Throwing on workout clothes, he puttered to the kitchen. It surprised him to see the light was already on. While he’d been in rehearsals, he’d kept his usual training schedule with Leo. It tickled Dash that more often than not, he’d find Brenda already in the kitchen having a cup of coffee with Tim each morning. Watching their blossoming romance gave Dash a good feeling. Brenda was a topnotch assistant and one of the most caring people he’d met. She and Tim made an ideal couple.
Once filming began, he’d cut back training to two days a week and those were very early sessions. Dash hadn’t seen Tim or Brenda any of those mornings since Leo was showing up at four-thirty. It made him wonder who was up now.
As he approached the kitchen, he heard Brenda’s voice.
“I just got here. Nothing was outside. Yes, I know. I promise. I’ll keep an eye out. If he’s going to any day, it would be today. Okay. Talk to you later.”
Puzzled by her end of the conversation, Dash entered the kitchen. “Morning.”
Brenda squealed. “You scared me. I had no idea you were up. Oh, that’s right. It’s a Leo day.”
He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. “You’re here awfully early.”
She shrugged, fidgeting with the bottom of her blouse. “I couldn’t sleep. I have nights like that. Thought I’d come in and get some work done.”
Dash still wondered who she’d been talking to so early but he kept silent.
“Morning, everyone. Happy birthday, Dash. The big three-oh.”
Brenda jumped again as Leo ambled into the kitchen. “I need caffeine,” she declared and turned on the coffeemaker.
This wasn’t the Brenda Dash knew. Something was definitely wrong beyond a lack of sleep. His assistant