Page 80 of The Small-Town Seduction Plan

“You’ll look great in the costume,” one of the producers tells Avery, looking her over in a way that makes my skin crawl. “Lacey’s a real badass.”

“You’re so sweet,” Avery coos, sipping her drink. “I’d love to hear more about your vision for the character,” she adds, looking to Brady. “She was such a fun read on the page. What would you say her journey is, in the story?”

“Journey?” Brady repeats, amused. “Babe, just as long as you look hot with the crossbow, you’ll do great.”

One of the suits clears his throat. “What Brady means is, Lacey is all about female empowerment. Holding her own with the guys. She’s not like those girls who cry over breaking a nail. She is tough as nails.” He sits back, clearly pleased with himself.

“Wow,” Avery nods, looking impressed. “That’s so insightful. Have you thought about being a writer?”

The guy beams. “Well, actually, I have been working on a screenplay…”

He launches into the story, and I sit back and nurse my beer, watching Avery work.

Damn, she’s good.

To anyone watching, it seems like she’s having a great time, telling breezy anecdotes from her past movie sets, asking the producers insightful questions, and throwing back her head with delighted laughter when Brady cracks another crass joke.

But I know her. And I can tell, Avery can’t stand these idiots either.

“So, Drake, what’s your deal?” Brady finally drags his eyes away from Avery’s chest and looks me over.

“Duke,” I correct him pleasantly. “And I’m in construction. Historic restoration.”

“Cool,” he nods. “I just bought a place up in the Hills, old house, built by whatshisname… Lanter.”

“Lautner?” I ask, impressed. “That’s great. His designs are classic mid-century.”

“Yeah, but it’s too old, you know?” Brady gives a shrug. “Great views though, so I’m going to tear it down and built something really sick. Ultra-luxe.”

I stare. This guy’s sitting on a piece of architectural history, and he wants to tear it down?

I clench my jaw. This is Avery’s night, and I’m not going to ruin it for her because this jackass wouldn’t know good design if it hit him in the goateed face. “Cool,” I say blandly instead. “Sounds really… sick.” I put my beer down and get to my feet. “I’ll be right back.”

I head towards the restroom– and then keep going, to the alley out back where a couple of waiters are on a break. I need a breather away from these people– even if it is filled with smoke.

I don’t know how Avery does it.

But then, she has to deal with assholes every day in her line of work, while I can simply kick them off my crew, or refuse to take the gig. And the longer I watch her charm and beguile them all, until the whole table is eating out of her hand, the more I understand why she was so guarded when she arrived in town. There’s damn near a hundred layers of defense she’s got hiding under that breezy smile, protecting the real version of her from people like this.

Which makes me lucky to get so much as a glimpse.

I brace myself, and head back inside for more bullshit small talk. But when I reach the table, I see the producers have migrated to the bar. Avery and Brady are talking, alone– and she’s just removing his hand from her thigh.

I tense.

“There you are, babe,” she says brightly, seeing me approach. She flashes me a warning look, even though her tone is still light. “I was just saying, I need to go get my beauty sleep, and I know you’ve got a plane to catch,” she adds to Brady. Rising, she gives him a warm hug. “But I’m so glad we had this chance to connect. I can’t wait to dive in.”

“Yeah, me too,” Brady leers. “This is going to be awesome.”

Avery says her goodbyes to the producers at the bar. “Hopefully, I’ll be seeing you all again soon!” she winks, before we can finally grab her bag and get the hell out of there.

The street is quiet outside, at least, as quiet as the city ever is. I take her hand, pulling her closer in the neon streetlights as Avery takes a long, deep breath, and then another.

“You OK?” I check.

She nods, looking relieved to be out of there. “I’m great. Brady wouldn’t say if I got the role, but one of the producers told me, they’re making an official offer in the morning.”

Avery turns to me with a smile, and I realize, she’s not glad the evening’s over. She’s actually happy she’s going be working with those people.

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