Young Adulting - Christina Benjamin Page 0,15

that right?” Elena drawled, her blood-red lips quirking up in the corners, as her dark eyes searched mine.

“Of course. Tell her, darling,” my mother said, practically elbowing me. “Thursday dinners just aren’t the same without you, Elena.”

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll be back,” I said.

Elena raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “Will I?”

I leaned in. “Well sure, just as soon as you feel like using me to get another part, right?”

She frowned, trying to pull away but I placed my hand on the small of her back and jutted my chin ever so slightly to alert her to the photographers.

Ever the actress, Elena plastered on a perfect smile and posed against me with practiced grace. “Are you implying I couldn’t get Gold City on my own?” she whispered between the flashbulbs.

I shrugged. “If the shoe fits.”

As soon as the photogs got what they needed and moved on, Elena untangled herself from my hold, crossing her arms to give me the arrogant pout I used to love. “Just say it, Henry.”

“I don’t need to say anything, Elena. You know what you did. I just wish it didn’t take me so long to see it.”

“To see what?”

I took a step closer, lowering my voice. “That you’re a social climber. You use people and then drop them like garbage once you have what you want.”

She huffed a laugh and flipped her shiny black hair over her shoulder. “Tell yourself whatever you need to, Henry.”

“So, you’re saying you didn’t date me just to get a part on Hermosa Beach, and then again to get into my father’s new movie?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Henry, this is Hollywood. It’s all part of the game.”

“Yeah, but that’s the problem, Elena. It wasn’t a game for me.” I’d fallen for her. How did she not see that? Or was it that she just didn’t care?

Her lips twisted into a tight smile that almost made her look sincere. She stepped close enough to run her hands up the lapels of my tux, then slipped them around my neck. I sucked in a breath as she pressed her lips softly against my ear. “Sweetie, my plan was never to hurt you, but can I give you some advice?”

I nodded, swallowing past the tightness in my throat as my pulse raced.

“Learn to play the game or get out of this business.” Then she kissed my cheek and walked away.

I watched until she disappeared into the crowd—another bright star fighting to stand out against the stunning Hollywood sunset.

Maybe Elena had it right. Maybe you had to be heartless and ruthless to survive in this world. It would certainly be easier…but I wasn’t built that way. I needed to feel. My emotions were what made me a good actor and an even better writer. I refused to turn that off just because I’d been burned.

I stared after Elena, hating that I had so many questions that I’d probably never get the answers to. I’d always wonder if there had ever been anything real between us. But I was certain of one thing…I was never making the mistake of letting someone like her in again.

I was done being lied to and used.

Taking a deep breath, I regained my focus. I needed to use tonight to feel out some costars for my script. That is, if there was a script left after Isabelle tore it apart.

I pushed that nagging thought away, sure that there was probably some merit to her suggestions, even though I hadn’t been able to revisit them yet. I knew I needed to give myself more time to be objective. But the few hours I’d had today weren’t enough.

I’d probably still be stewing over the shrewd junior script developer’s strong opinions into the next century if I had my way. But for the sake of my script, I had to find a way to loosen the reins.

I eyed the bar. A drink might help. I wouldn’t be twenty-one for a few months yet, but this was Hollywood, where champagne was practically served as a palate cleanser. Or as my father liked to say, “Champagne is cheaper than water in this town.”

It was true considering the price of the ridiculous vitamin-enriched glacial water my mother had imported from Iceland.

I glanced at my parents. My father was thoroughly distracted by the gaggle of actresses fawning over him and my mother was posing for yet another photo with someone she deemed notable. It was the perfect time to slip away unnoticed.

I moved across the manicured lawn, dodging