“I won’t give in. Now you don’t want to ruin my completely relaxed body by arguing with me.” Her violet eyes twinkled. “I know how to get my way.”
He laughed out loud. “I bet you do. Fine, then. I concede.”
* * *
That night, Elise walked into Black and Blue Restaurant, one of the eatery recommendations the studio had gotten from the city council. Max, her companion and co-star, had insisted they dine together to discuss some scenes. She had a sneaking suspicion he was after more than that, but he was handsome and friendly, so she went with him. Their table was in a comfortable booth three down from the door.
She slid in first and when he went next, he moved closer to her than she wanted. “I need a little more room, Max,” she said calmly.
“Sure.” He inched away.
A busboy came over. “Tap or bottled water?”
“Bottle of course.” Max again.
“Your waiter will be right over.”
The second server appeared. “Hello, I’m Benjamin. I’ll be taking care of you tonight.” He glanced twice at Elise but didn’t comment. “May I get you a cocktail?”
“We’ll both have martinis. Dry. Olives.”
She said, “Just bring one of those. I’ll have club soda.”
“Not drinking tonight?” he asked when Benjamin left.
“No.” She didn’t explain. She owed Max nothing.
When drinks came, the capable Benjamin smiled. He was charming with a smattering of gray hair on his head and in his beard. “Would you like to order now or enjoy your cocktails?”
“We’ll wait.”
“Not long, though,” Elise put in. “I’m starving.”
“I’ll check back soon.”
Max held up his glass. “ToA Woman in Jeopardy.”
She clicked hers with his. “To the movie.” She took a sip. “So what did you want to discuss?”
“We may as well get it out of the way first. I’m concerned about how we’re shooting our current scene.”
“Specifically what?”
“Elise, you’re upstaging me.”
“Honey, I’m the star of the film.”
“I’m your co-star.”
“You’re the second lead.”
“Can you give it some thought?”
She knew then that she’d made a mistake accepting his offer of dinner, but she didn’t want to argue. “Yes, I’ll think about it.”
A man strode by their booth. Tall, with mink-colored hair, he stopped two tables over and kissed the pretty blond woman who’d been seated alone. She could hear him say, “Hey, babe.”
When he turned a bit, she saw it was Finn McKenna. He looked gorgeous in a light pink shirt and gray sports coat. The color would highlight his eyes.
