Page 12 of Mister Mom

“Yeah, you know, because no relationships work in this industry. I think they might have what it takes though.”

“And what is that?”

She stands and I follow her, ready to drink a cold water to cool the heat my body is generating in her presence. Opening the fridge, she hands me a water like she knew what I was going after.

“Thanks.”

She nods, opening a pantry that barely has anything in it except animal crackers and raisins. I guess Payne must’ve nabbed the last granola bar to use as a weapon.

“You know, the magic.” She picks up a small box of raisins, holds them up to me in question.

“No, thanks.”

She shrugs and opens the box.

“Magic?”

She purses her lips and rolls her eyes. “Men,” she says with a shake of her head. “The magic that keeps a relationship going. You know what L.A. is like… everyone is always screwing around with and then marrying their co-star. Most probably believe they’ve found their one and only. But then the next movie comes along with a hiatus from their loved one and next thing you know there’s the next new, sexy co-star lying in their bed.”

“I take it you don’t sleep with co-stars?” I sit on the edge of the couch, drinking my water, watching her maneuver around the room, picking up toys and straightening up.

“Been there, done that, and got two great parting gifts for my troubles.” She glances to the back bedroom. “No need to take any more gambles.” Her nose scrunches up and she shakes her head.

“So you’ll stay celibate for the rest of your life?” I ask with a chuckle.

Shit. I can’t believe I said that out loud. Real professional, asshole.

Lifting her head from digging out a toy out from under the table, she blows a loose strand of hair from her vision.

“My hand and some electronics do a better job anyway.” She shrugs a shoulder again.

“You can’t be serious.” My gaze roams over her body. Bad move. My dick was already at half-chub when I first saw her and now it’s approaching full mast. My pants constrict in the crotch area and I shift to try to hide the obvious.

“Hell, yeah, I’m serious.” Before I can argue, she raises her hand in the air to stop me from speaking. “Don’t. I’ve heard it a million times.”

“That I’d show you how much better I am than your hand?” I laugh.

She doesn’t. She raises her eyebrows. “Exactly.”

I’m helpless to stop my egotistical smirk from emerging. “Fair enough. I’ll leave the details of my nine-inch pleasure pole to myself.”

Her eyes widen and she instinctively glances at my crotch. When she reaches my eyes again, I raise an eyebrow.

“Payne, come on out.” Her voice is more constricted than it was moments before, as if she’s speaking around a giant lump in her throat.

The kid comes out of the room, his arms crossed over his chest and his head down.

“Thanks for coming by. I’ll make sure to read the script over and get back to you this week.”

Payne leans against the counter, glancing over at me.

Shit, I’ve fucked this up. “I was joking,” I assure her.

She laughs. “I figured. I mean…” She widens her eyes at me.

“I wasn’t joking about the nine.”

Her face flushes and her gaze shoots to Payne.

---