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There are conference rooms in the main building on the third floor, which has a glorious view of the entire studio lot. I can see people’s comings and goings from up here, busy crew members sneaking quick smokes out back while others head over to the Craft Services table for a bite to eat between shots —which isn’t very long at all.
Ashton Hartley is already there by the time we arrive. I know Ashton’s an investor and all, butugh. One look at his overly gelled hair makesmefeel greasy. I shake his hand, but only because I can’t afford to rub him the wrong way. Without his last-minute investment,Juliet After Romeowould never have gotten off the ground.
“Stride, my man,” he greets with a hearty chuckle. “Always good to see you.” His eyes flick over to Eden. I don’t appreciate the way he looks at her like she’s something to eat. “You look really familiar. Have we met?” A flash of something lights up his face. “I saw you at Sensational! You were that girl in the cute pink—”
“Eden, take a break.”
She looks up at me. “What?”
Irritation stirs in the pit of my stomach. Not at her, but at Ashton. What’s he trying to do, embarrass her in front of the whole team and the other investing parties? Knowing him, he’s probably too clueless to realize what he’s about to say could make her feel awkward and uncomfortable. That doesn’t mean I’m going to give him a pass because fuck using ignorance as an excuse.
“This meeting might run long,” I say calmly. “I’ll call you if I need anything.”
I can’t discern her expression because I’m not looking directly at her, but I catch the tail end of a relieved sigh. It’s understandable. She had a rough night last night. I can sense her tension in her silence. Eden’s normally very chatty, ready with a sassy comeback whenever I dare speak. Today, she’s… tame. Reserved. Done.
She gives me a small smile. “Thank you, Mr. Stride,” she says before leaving the way she came.
I return my attention to the men gathered around the long table. We’ve narrowed down our selection to the top three actresses we think are best for the role. There’s no time to waste. We’re burning daylight, and the sooner I find my Juliet, the sooner I can make my movie.
“Let’s get started,” I say to the room.
Chapter 16
Tip #16: Always knock before entering someone’s office.
EDEN
Dad isn’t answering my calls again. I normally don’t worry this much, but after seeing him drunk off his ass at the restaurant yesterday, my mind can’t help but wander into darker, more dangerous territory. What if he’s passed out in a ditch somewhere? Did he even go home? What else has he been lying to me about? I tossed and turned last night, unsure what to do.
If overthinking were an Olympic sport, I’d be a fucking gold medalist.
He texted me around 4:00 a.m.
I’m home and I’m fine, don’t worry. Go to sleep. We’ll talk later, okay? I love you.
I snort when I read his message again. Don’t worry? Is he kidding me? Am I supposed to snap my fingers and —poof—everything’s magically hunky dory? Hell, no! The doctors were very clear that he was supposed to quit drinking entirely after his operation. How am I supposed to let this slide?
I’m grateful that Hunter let me sit out on this one. My head’s just not in it today. I’m trapped in an in-between state, conscious, but not present. There’s a fog over my mind, and I’m sure the two hours of poor-quality sleep I managed to snag before my alarm went off isn’t helping.
Now that I have a rare moment alone in his office, I take my time looking around. His walls are covered in movie posters from films he’s directed, both major summer blockbusters and smaller indie projects from his early days as a director. Instead of the countless Oscars he’s won, his shelves are full of DVDs ranging from works by Burton to Hitchcock to Spielberg to Del Torro. His collection is impressive, a massive personal depository of films.
I suppose it makes sense that he’s such a movie buff, but I smile to myself all the same.
He’s such a fanboy.
Instead of heading back to my desk, I wander over to Hunter’s. His office chair is bigger than mine and looks twice as comfortable. He’s also left his suit jacket folded over the top. It takes me all of two seconds to decide to put it on as I take a seat in his throne.
His jacket is three times too big for me. It smells like him, his mild cologne filling my nose. It’s strange how calm his scent makes me feel. I’m warm and at peace here, so much so that I feel myself dozing off. Surely a fifteen-minute cat nap can’t hurt…
Before my eyes have the chance to shut, I hear the office door creak open. Renee sneaks in, moving as quietly as she can until she spots me.
“What are you doing here?” she demands, likeI’mthe one in the wrong.
“I could ask you the same thing,” I snap back. “Do you normally waltz into Mr. Stride’s office without knocking?”
Renee struggles for a moment, her words caught in her throat before she finally recalibrates. She puts her hands on her hip and stares at me down the length of her nose. “Do you normally use Mr. Stride’s jacket as a blanket?”
I shrug it off in a hurry and stand up. “Did you need something?” I ask quickly, ignoring my rabbit heart.
