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“These big studios…they’ve lost their souls,” Harry grumbled. “They keep making the same movies and remaking movies. There are probably millions of amazing books out there just waiting for someone to bring them to life. And these greedy bastards are trying to find a way to wring a little more money out of the Back to the Futurefranchise.”
I leaned back in my seat and smiled. “You certainly have the passion for this endeavor.” Then I nodded. “Ah, castingcouch.”
“No!” He swiveled in his chair and then turned mine until we were facing. Then he laid a hand on each of my thighs. “See, that’s the thing. I don’t do that. Never have.” He blew out a breath. “There are starlets throwing themselves at me all the time. That’s not the kind of woman I want. The one for me won’t even be looking for me. We’ll meet by chance and build a life together bychoice.”
My heart positively pounded in my chest. I could barely concentrate on his words because his touch was so distracting. His ice blue eyes slayed me. The way this handsome ginger spoke had me in knots. “So, you’d be more interested in the kind of girl who can’t manage platform heels and a Velcrodress?”
“Interested? Nah.” He made a face. “Obsessed? Definitely.” Harry leaned closer. “I’ve wanted to do this since I watched you walk away this morning.” He reached behind my head and pulled my face closer until our noses nearly touched. “You are a rare and beautiful creature, Laney Jenner,” he murmured while staring into my eyes. Then he closed the distance between us and pressed his lipstomine.
As before, I could feel tingles of electricity radiating through me. In an instant, I could feel hope igniting. I wanted this more than anything, a guy who chased after me and spouted such pretty words. I wanted this man who pulled out chairs for me and bought clothes for a virtual stranger. And because I wanted this, the man who seemed determined to catch me, I had to supporthimtoo.
When he pulled back and pressed his forehead to mine, I couldn’t help myself. “You can’t stay in the hotel,” I muttered. Slowly, I opened my eyes, worried about what I’d seethere.
“Is it the bar downstairs? I’ll clean out all his luggage. I’ll make sure there’s no alcohol in the mini-bar.” Harry rushed to assure me of hisplans.
“It’s the bar. It’s the casino. It’s the people.” I shook my head. “There are drug dealers around. He’ll find a way to dull the pain he refusestoface.”
Harry leaned back. “Let’s talk over lunch. Our fajitas aregettingcold.”
I laughed. “And my salad is probablygettingwarm.”
“I forgot to ask for extra plates, but you’re still welcome to all thatIhave.”
The way he looked at me, the way he spoke, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a double meaning. “I’m happy to share some fajitas with youfornow.”
“For now?” Harry smiledshyly.
“Yeah. I’ll share a lot more later.” I winked at him as I reached for atortilla.
“I’m going to hold you to it.” He leaned over and kissed my temple. Then he prepared his own fajita and started eating. After devouring a few bites, Harry paused. “Okay. So, what do yourecommend?”
“The fajitas, definitely. Gotta tell you, the salad is a little disappointing.” I picked at some of the corn on top of the lettuce withmyfork.
“No, I mean what do you recommend for Drew?” Harry took a drink and I sensed he was trying to seem far more casual and relaxed than hetrulyfelt.
“Honestly? Rehab. You have no idea what you’re in for.” I frowned sadly as I recalled mychildhood.
“Well, let’s pretend that I have no choice because…actually, I feel like I have no choice. I promised I was staying in Vegas. Where should I stay? Hotel off thestrip?”
I shook my head. “No. I think you need a house. Far from the strip. You have no idea what you’reinfor.”
“Tell me.” Harry frowned. “Just tell me, please. I know I’m not ready. I’m not in the right frame of mind. I don’t care about Drew’s sobriety like I should right now.” He took my hand in his. “All I care about is getting to know you better. Babysitting my childhood friend isn’t exactly going to be conducive to this. How hopeless is mysituation?”
“Grim.” I took a long swig from my drink. “See, the guy you knew and loved, he’s not around right now. In his place is this addict. All the addict thinks about is keeping the pain at bay, making sure there’s plenty of alcohol because running out could becatastrophic.”
“Drew’s suitcase barely had any clothes in it. Not the one I packed. That one had dirty clothes, which was why I went searching in the other one. Liquor bottles of all sizes, including minis.” He sighed. “I should’ve watchedbetter.”
“It’s not your job. Stop feeling like a bad friend. And stop expecting to see liquor. They often supplement with pills because those don’t give them the obvious tell, the breath, the sweating, and the hangover.” I frowned. “And the liquor takes a toll on the body. There’s a pain that no amount of liquor can take away. Plus, pills can be pretty easy to come by. After all, he merely needs to make up some physical ailment and he can get prescribed pills. And if he has the money, which he does, then he can afford multiple doctors, multiple scripts, multiple pharmacies. Addicts become masters ofdeceit.”
“I can’t imagine Drew being organized enough for that.” Harry shookhishead.
“Did you imagine Drew would keep luggage full of liquor?” My brows rose inchallenge.
He shook his head. “Not in a million years. Back in college, he did some recreationaldrugs.”
“Then he already has a hook-up.” I frowned. “Going back to LA right now would be aterribleidea.”
“If you were me, what would you do? And don’t say rehab. I think I’ve established I’m going to try first, before I admit defeat. I have to.” He shrugged. “We’refriends.”
