Page 6 of Between Takes
My bravado slipped along with my smile. “I’m your new assistant.”
Silence followed my declaration. I had to give up on winning this asshole with kindness. Every time I smiled, his face darkened.
“Not a chance,” he muttered before swinging the door shut in my face. A distinctive click of locks followed.
I blinked at the plastic door. “Well, that could have gone better.”
“You did what!” Shaun roared from behind the door moments later.
I flinched. It was loud, okay? Maybe I should check in with make-up and let them know he’ll be late. Find myself a headset too, just in case anyone is looking for him.
Before I could move more than two steps, the door flew open. I froze, my wide eyes fixed on the handsome man using his striking green gaze to turn me inside out.
“You!” he shouted, pointing a long finger at me. “Just to be clear: I did not hire you. I don’t need you.”
He held the phone away from his ear as a shrill voice blared from it. I stood over six feet away, and even I could hear Sherry tearing into him.
“It was one time.” He forced the words out through gritted teeth. “They can’t get their knickers in a twist over one late start.”
It was actually five in two weeks. Sherry was a very talkative person, and then her briefing notes gave even more detail. Probably not great business practice, spilling your client’s secrets in writing, but right now, I was grateful.
“I don’t need a babysitter. I’m handling it.” He dragged his hands through his thick brown hair, tugging at the ends a little too hard.
Someone is stressed.
“That’s ridiculous,” Shaun muttered. “I’m the star! They wouldn’t.”
They so would – or so Sherry said.
Apparently, he wasn’t the easiest person to handle on set. Just two weeks into a gruelling six-month schedule and Shaun had already alienated half the crew. The producers had been amicable to start, but now they’d started to see that their chosen star was driving them into the sun.
The fight drained from Shaun’s shoulders and the tension bled out of him. Moments later, he slumped against the doorframe. His eyes scanned slowly up my body, and something about his unfocused but softening gaze made goose bumps break out along my arms.
My boss was checking me out.
It lasted for all of five seconds, and then my spine stiffened and I folded my arms across my chest. With a leisurely pace, his eyes rose to my hard face. He smirked before focusing his attention back on Sherry.
“Fine. But it’s a trial and when I say it’s done, it’s done.”
I was fairly certain Sherry wouldn’t agree with his estimations. He tensed and I barely stopped myself from smiling in triumph.
Take that, Hotshot!
“Are you fucking serious?” His eyes fixed on me, eying me like whatever threat Sherry had issued was entirely my fault. Given her desperation to get me here, I was fairly certain it was a threat. I glared right back at him. “Pretty sure I employ you, Sherry. Are you enjoying the beach house my fee earned you?”
Oh yeah, entitled asshole alert. Somebody had forgotten his roots.
My research said Shaun Martin didn’t come from an acting dynasty. He grew up in a small working-class South Wales town, went to a secondary school. If the critics were to be believed, he was a natural talent. He’d never had acting lessons, no Sunday drama clubs or drama classes in school. With all that, you’d think he’d be a bit more humble.
“I’m telling you this won’t work, but whatever.” His lip curled like a sullen child’s. All he needed to do was stomp his foot and the image would be complete. He grumbled one more time then hung up.
Shaun clattered down the steps and sauntered towards me. I tensed and eyed him like the shark he was. He took the coffee from my rigid hands. I was rather proud of myself for keeping the damn thing intact all this time.
“What did you say your name was?”
This close, I had to tip my head back to meet his eyes. I wasn’t short by any stretch of the imagination, but he made me feel tiny and vulnerable. Not a thing I’d ever wanted from a man. And I wouldn’t start wanting it now.
“Mona.”
