AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I was doing that. Past tense,” I said.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s January first, and I promised myself if I didn’t land a job by the end of the year, I’d let go of this crazy idea of becoming an actor. Well, here we are.”
My friend’s dark eyes went wide. “You can’t quit acting. It’s your dream!”
“I tried to make a go of it, Vee. I really did. Once I decided it was now or never, I asked my agent to send me out for almost everything, from roles that would have been a stretch to ones I should have landed easily. I went to dozens of auditions over this past year, but that got me nowhere.”
Craig frowned and said, “So, you’re just giving up?”
“I’m finally admitting defeat, after trying to launch my acting career for a decade. I had some success early on, but the last few years have been dismal,” I said, as I leaned back in my chair. “It’s time to accept the fact that this just isn’t going to happen for me.”
“I don’t understand why you’re not a huge success. You’re a great actor,” Vee said. “Plus, you’re gorgeous. Just look at those big, blue eyes and perfect skin, not to mention that sexy, slender bod! The fact that you’re a total hottie has to count for something in Hollywood.”
“Thanks for the compliment, but nothing seems to matter—not my appearance, or how many acting classes I take, or anything, really.” I drank some champagne and resisted the urge to sigh. Then I tried to change the subject with, “Anyway, enough about that. New Year’s is for celebrating, not pity parties.”
“So, why don’t you go find Lorenzo and celebrate all night long?” Vee’s big grin made his meaning perfectly clear.
“That’s not going to happen. It’s bad enough that I kissed him. I don’t even know what I was thinking.”
“Um, that you really like him? You’ve had a crush on Lorie for months, pretty much since the day you moved to the resort.”
Craig asked, “Which one’s Lorenzo?”
Vee stood up and craned his neck as he scanned the crowd. Then he pointed and said, “He’s that tall, muscular Latino daddy standing over by the seahorse fountain.”
I exclaimed, “Wow, subtle! Would you sit down, Vee?” Fortunately, Lorenzo’s back was to us, so he missed my friend’s attempt at embarrassing the shit out of me.
While he took his seat, Craig asked, “So what’s the problem? Is that guy in a relationship?”
“He’s a widower,” I said, “and in no way ready to start dating again. Even if he was, he’s thirteen years older than I am, so he probably wouldn’t consider me boyfriend material.”
Vee looked confused. “Is he a widower? I thought he and Javier weren’t married.”
“The word should still apply to him,” I said. “They lived together and were totally committed, and Lorie’s heart broke when he lost him.”
Craig asked, “What happened to his partner?”
“He died of cancer at thirty-nine.”
“Wow, that’s so sad.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” I muttered. “It’s been about two years, but how do you ever really get over something like that?”
“By starting something new with a hot younger man,” Vee said.
“Yeah, that would probably do it.” Craig got up and asked, “Could one of you point me to the restroom?” After Vee gave him directions, he said, “Be right back,” and disappeared into the crowd.
I leaned in and told my friend, “He’s cute. Are you two on a date?”
“I have no idea.”
“Seriously?”
Vee shrugged. “I intended for it to be a date when I met him this afternoon, but ever since he got here, I’ve just gotten a friend vibe from him. I’m not even sure if he’s gay, although he didn’t balk at the idea of kissing you.”
“How has that subject not come up?”
“Almost as soon as he arrived, we got caught up in a big poker game that was happening in the lobby, so we’ve barely talked. The card game ended just in time for everyone to come outside and count down to the new year, and at midnight, he gave me a hug instead of a kiss. Then we ran into you a minute later, and now here we are.”
I got up and said, “In that case, I’ll stop being a third wheel. When he gets back, ask him to dance and see what happens.”
“You don’t have to run off.”
“It’s fine. I should check on Madame Leota anyway. She probably doesn’t like all the noise from the party.”
Vee shot me a look. “You use your cat as an excuse a lot, even though she’s actually super chill and is probably sound asleep right now.”
“You know what? You’re right about that, so here’s the truth. I’m a little depressed, so I want to go to my room, put my pajamas back on, and wrap myself in a blanket. I’m also fucking starving because I skipped dinner, so I really need to eat something.”
