“I don’t think so.”
“Can you talk to him about that?”
“You can.”
Her full lips bunch up. “Nope.” Candy Land flips back to the mirror, meeting my eyes in the reflection. “Count me in. I’d like the change of pace, guess that’s payment enough.”
“Okay, it’s set then. I’ll find the costumes. Put my number in your phones so you can text me your sizes.”
They dig in their lockers, not allowed to call anyone or use the Internet while on the job—Paul’s rule. Both mutter regret about the amount of people blowing up their phones but since they’re afraid of his wrath they skip replying and tap in my information instead.
My gaze slides to Ophelia’s reflection as she applies lipstick, hair in a high ponytail. I wonder who her parents are? And I really want to get a glimpse of that drivers license because I don’t believe she’s eighteen.
Juniper slams her metal locker. “When do we start, Nat?”
Ignoring the dig, I say, “We just had Thanksgiving, so right away I guess,” reaching for where I left my computer bag. “Let me get a few things in order and I’ll get back to you.” Paul’s door opens as I ask, “Anyone good at shopping?” and all heads turn to him.
With a slow stroll he scans the mostly naked girls before landing on me. My heart beats faster at the look in his eyes. “You’ll do the shopping, Nat, alone.”
“Of course.”
As he heads for the club he grunts, “Don’t let me find out you pawned this off.”
CHAPTER 23
M AX
“Where have you been?” I demand as Natalie rushes into the rehearsal two hours late.
“I had to work. Sorry everyone.”
Colleen and Dan give me distracted nods from where they stand facing each other, scripts in their hands.
“We’re on the scene where they first meet at the party,” I explain, sitting down next to her. Natalie nods and pulls her script from her computer bag as tense eyes land on the actors.
‘Jaden’ glances over from where he’s chatting with his twin brother, who will be played by Dan in the movie, too. So he’s standing there with nobody really, but it looks as if he’s in full conversation, he’s that good. His eyes flicker at the sight of Marnie entering. She’s scanning the party, wondering where the booze is while she makes a model’s entrance. This is before the drugs have taken hold so her eyes are clear but have that superior distance the truly beautiful often have. They’re so used to being stared at they have to protect themselves.
Jaden mutters, “Think I just found my plans tonight,” to his invisible brother and glances back to Marnie who locks eyes with him. She’s supposed to be across the room, and shows no sign of hearing him even though it’s only just the four of us here. The smile she gives is so in-character it’s obvious she’s just spotted him for the first time, and approves of what she sees. Then her wall flies back up. He takes this as his cue, and walks to her, maneuvering around invisible party-goers on his way.
“You’re not familiar,” Jaden smiles.
“I’m new to Atlanta,” she blandly replies, eyes flitting around everyone but him.
“Where are you from, Heaven?”
She laughs, “You did not just say that.”
He gives her his winning smile and runs a hand through blonde, neatly trimmed hair, taking his time. It’s like he’s willing her to imagine how soft it would be if she touched it. Marnie’s eyes do flick to the motion but she keeps her wall firmly in place.
“Where are you from?”
“All over. I just came from New York.”
“Oh yeah?” His eyes glimmer with interest.
She goes on to intimidate him with, “And Milan, London, Paris, Moscow.”
But this only sets the hook deeper. “You’re a model then. I figured.” He makes a move to leave as though the idea is disgusting to him. This sets the bait for her, turns the tables completely. And it works.
She grabs his arm, “What’s wrong with being a model?”
He shrugs, unaffected. “Models are stuck up.”
“We are not!”
“I think you are.”
“But I’m not stuck up! I’m originally from Dublin, Georgia!” Her accent drifts out, “See I used to have this drawl and everything!”
“What happened to it?”
“I lost it on purpose.”
She doesn’t know it but he’s engaged her in a real conversation now. Marnie steps closer to him, like if she doesn’t then he might leave. She reacts as Jaden slides two fingers along the side of her face, his eyes on her lips. “You have a little thing here,” he murmurs.
She looks at the finger he holds up. “There’s nothing there.”
He feigns surprise, glances to the empty pad of his index finger and locks eyes with her again. “Guess I just needed an excuse to touch you.”
A slow smile spreads and she glances away to hide it.
“I like your drawl, by the way. But then again, I’m born and raised in the South.”
“Where’s your accent?” she teases, touching his chest and lingering there while he answers.
“Most people who are raised in Atlanta don’t have one. Too metropolitan.” Backtracking he hurries to add, “It’s not London, but we’re proud of it.”
“I like it here,” Marnie purrs, full flirt.
“I’d enjoy showing you around, if you’re free tomorrow?”
“How about tonight?”
He gives her a sexy grin. “Deal.”
They stay like that, and their chemistry is so good that I forget to call cut. It’s Natalie who says, “Well done you two,” glancing to me. “Were you working on this before I got here?”
Mystified as to how I got so lucky as to find my ideal cast I stand up, not looking at Natalie as I answer, “No, we were on later ones. I wanted to go back to the beginning. Sometimes doing nothing is hardest. But you guys really proved me wrong. That was fantastic. Dan, I know you said you had to be at The Alliance.”
“Yeah,” he frowns, “Sorry Max. But
