the audience. Alicia gave him a flirtatious angry kitten scowl. It was all a part of her persona, of course. When I glanced at Julian, I saw the barest hint of a smirk on his lips. He liked it when she put on the Marilyn Monroe façade. Though I imagined it was more because he relished the challenge of discovering whatever messy, emotional woman existed underneath it.
“I’m joking, I’m joking,” said the host, raising his hands. “But let’s talk about the show for a minute. How are you liking the West End, Alicia? Has it been a big change acclimatising to London after so many years in L.A.?”
“It’s certainly been a learning curve. I’m still not quite sure what to order in restaurants sometimes,” she giggled. “But it’s all good, and I have such great people around me, especially my fellow actors,” she went on, giving Damon a little nudge with her shoulder.
“Oh yes, of course, you both made your starts in Hollywood. You must have a lot in common.”
“We really do,” said Alicia. “Plus, there’s the added benefit of Damon being British, so he can explain things when I get confused. This one time we were out for lunch and I saw a dessert item on the menu called Spotted Dick. I couldn’t stop laughing, and poor Damon was mortified. Thank God he has the patience to put up with me.”
I frowned at the screen, particularly since Damon was looking at Alicia like he didn’t know what she was talking about. Had she just made all that up? Even though it was weird if she had, I still hoped so. I didn’t enjoy thinking of them going out for lunch together, even if it was only as friends.
“It’s certainly one of our more humorously named delicacies.” The host grinned. “You two must be close, then?”
“Very close,” Alicia answered. “I don’t know what I’d do if Damon hadn’t been cast as Christian. It definitely would’ve been a much lonelier experience leaving home to stay in a different country if he hadn’t.”
The host leaned closer, eyeing the two of them. “Am I sensing a romantic link?”
Alicia shifted and crossed one leg over the other, a very coy expression taking shape on her face. “Even if there was, do you think we’d tell you?” She smiled widely.
Again, Damon looked at Alicia like she was taking crazy pills. The host was too focused on the redheaded bombshell to notice, though I doubted the viewers at home would, either. I was attuned to him, and right in that moment I knew Damon was about as uncomfortable as if he were enduring that horrific medical procedure Julian had mentioned.
“They’re not together. Why is she trying to pretend like they are?” I said, almost to myself.
“Because she’s a shrewd businesswoman, Rose,” Julian answered pointedly. “She knows how to pique people’s interest enough to get them curious while still giving nothing away. Bet you a tenner the ticket sales for the show just went through the roof. People will go solely on the off chance that the two famous leads are getting it on behind the scenes.”
“Yeah, but… but she can’t just do that to Damon. He was already freaking out over this interview, and now she’s making shit up off the cuff. It’s going to put him off his game, and he’s been doing so well.”
Julian eyed me perceptively. “Answer honestly — are you really worried about Damon, or are you worried that what she’s said might hold some truth?”
I gaped at him, upset now. “There’s no truth to it. Damon’s not like that. He’s too honourable. If he and Alicia were together, then he’d tell me, and he certainly wouldn’t be pursuing me like he has been if they were.”
Julian’s mouth tilted down in a frown, like he felt bad for what he’d said. There was also a hint of sympathy there, and I hated it. He didn’t understand. He thought I was soft-hearted and naïve, falling for the charms of yet another actor. He didn’t know the intense connection Damon and I shared, didn’t know how it felt when we were alone together.
It wasn’t that my heart was soft, it was that Julian’s was too hard. He simply didn’t understand. The problem was, though he probably hadn’t intended to, he’d planted a seed of doubt.
I just hoped there was no water around that would encourage it to grow.
Nineteen.
*Rose*
I loved the smell of old theatres. Loved the faded grandeur of the velvet upholstered seats, the