The Summer of Sunshine and Margot - Susan Mallery Page 0,109
moved on. What’s the big deal?” She turned back to the table. “The guy on the right is Marcus. Isn’t he yummy? He’s with me. You’re with Steven. He’s divorced, a movie producer maybe and super nice.” She linked arms with Sunshine. “Come on. Let’s go say hi.”
Sunshine resisted moving. “So you’re not interested in Declan?”
“No. Does he think I am? It’s always so hard when guys are needy. Oh well. Tonight is going to be fun. It’s two guys, a couple of drinks and a good time. What’s not to like?”
Sunshine looked back at the table. Marcus was a big guy—broad shoulders with plenty of muscle. He had dark skin and gorgeous eyes. Steven had an olive complexion and short, dark hair. Sunshine had no idea what to do. Leaving made the most sense but felt so dramatic.
“One drink,” she said.
“Perfect.”
Phoebe dragged her to the table. Both men stood as they approached.
“Marcus, Steven, this is my friend Sunshine.”
They all sat down.
The server came over and took their drink orders. Sunshine ordered a glass of white wine that she wouldn’t drink and promised herself on her way home she was so going by Taco Bell. After Phoebe’s setup, she deserved some comfort food.
Sunshine pushed away thoughts of tacos and burritos and smiled at Steven. “So, Phoebe mentioned you’re in the movie business. What do you do?”
Steven gave her a self-satisfied smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Um, yes. That’s why I asked.”
His expression turned serious. “I don’t like to talk about it.”
“Okay. So are you from around here?”
“You mean Pasadena? No. Of course not.”
“Then Los Angeles?”
“I moved here a while back.”
“From where?”
He frowned. “What’s with all the questions?”
Sunshine held up both hands. “Sorry. Just making polite conversation. I’ll be quiet and let you talk.”
“Traffic was terrible getting here. I usually don’t like to go east of I5 if I can help it. There’s nothing out here.”
“Not counting entire communities,” she murmured.
“What? You mean people live out here? Sure, but who are they? What’s important to them?” He leaned toward her. “One thing I like about making movies is telling a story. That’s the secret to success, you know. Telling a story.”
“Good to know.”
The server returned with her wine. At some point while Sunshine had been having her scintillating conversation with Steven, Phoebe and Marcus had started making out. Seriously making out, with tongue and everything. The table wasn’t big to begin with so there wasn’t much space between her and the going-for-it couple. It was kind of like “porn in the round” and to be honest, it was a little off-putting.
She turned back to Steven, then found she couldn’t think of anything to say. Thank goodness he was observant.
“What happened to your hand?” he asked.
“I cut myself.”
“How long have you been an actress?”
“I’m not an actress.”
Steven frowned. “You should be. You’re the right age, you have the body. I could probably make something happen, if you’re interested.”
She frowned. “You’re willing to help me get a job as an actress, but you won’t talk about being in the business?”
“I like to be mysterious.”
Phoebe and Marcus broke apart. Phoebe grabbed her handbag. “We’re leaving. Thank goodness my ex has Elijah tonight, but only until eight, so we have to hurry. See ya.”
With that, they were gone, leaving Sunshine alone with Steven.
“Did they just—” She stopped herself, realizing there was no good way to ask “Did they just leave to go have sex?”
“So,” Steven said, leaning uncomfortably close to her and smiling. “Want to do the same?”
“The same?”
“Come back to my place. We can talk about your career.”
She knew there would be no career talk, no anything but him getting a piece of ass. Not that she wanted to be an actress, which was perfect because she would guess Steven was a whole lot less connected than he wanted her to believe.
Exhaustion flooded her. The man-woman thing had never been a problem before, but lately it was just one disaster after another. She looked at him and knew she didn’t have it in her to fight him. From her perspective, there was only one surefire way to get him to back off.
She offered a regretful smile and lightly touched his arm. “I would love to, only things are a little contagious...” She waved her fingers toward her crotch. “Down there, if you get my meaning. It’s not horrible but the rash can really burn.”
Steven shifted away from her so quickly he nearly lost his balance and fell off his chair.