Page 25 of All That Glitters

“You might not be Megan Fox, but you are absolutely stunning and naturally gifted.” River always lets the compliments fly. It’s easy with her. “There is no need for you to be nervous. I know you are going to kill it. Have you read through the script?”

I duck my head and let my hair fall to obscure my face. “I read through one of the scenes with Marcus earlier in the day.

“You did? Hot Daddy Marcus…oh shit, Empire! What happened? Did you read through one of the sexy scenes? Please tell me you did!” Her voice rises with her excitement, and I have to shush her to get her to calm down.

“It was one of the scenes leading up to the seduction, and he…” I trail off, leaning closer to make sure she and I won’t be overheard when I whisper the next part. “He got hard.”

“What do you mean?” River asks in a stage whisper.

“I mean, I was on his lap, and his dick got hard.” Hard and hot, and the things it did to me… “What does it mean?”

“He’s a man and you were on his lap. It probably means nothing! I mean, come on. You’re young and gorgeous and you were on. His. Lap.” River brushes it off.

I’m not sure she’s really listening to me.

“Oh, did you want something? I completely forgot, I’m sorry. I’m such a space cadet today.” River turns in her chair and calls out to one of the girls behind the counter by name. In a few seconds, the girl stands beside the table. “What did you want, Empire?” River asks.

“Ah, can I have an almond milk latte, please?” I offer with a smile before River rattles off her own order before the girl scuttles off to fulfill it.

“Tell me more about this scene. Did you throw yourself on his lap, or was it like, he finally decided he was a man, living with a hot woman, and he hauled you onto him?”

“No, it wasn’t like that. It was all part of the scene, which is why it took me by surprise. I was just doing my reading.” I didn’t want to tell her about the rest of it—the fingering, and how hot it made me to have it be Marcus touching me, Marcus going where no one else has gone on my body before.

“There you go,” River exclaims. “He got erect because of the scene. If it bothers you, then send him my way. I’ll take care of him.”

She winks at me, and I swallow. “I’m sure you’re right.”

“I’m serious. If he’s in a bad mood, you know who to call to take care of it.”

“I don’t need you to fuck my guardian to make him smile.”

“It wouldn’t be a hardship, okay? But I want to hear more about this movie part. I mean, your first actual role! You should be excited,” River continues.

“I’m not a vigorous sinner,” I reply. “I’m still not sure it’s the right thing for me to do.”

“And yet you’re doing it. I’m really proud of you.”

I’m not sure I’m proud of myself at this point. It’s too new, and everything is too raw, but it’s a step in the right direction. It’s what Mom wanted for me, what I always wanted for myself.

The girl from behind the counter delivers both coffees in front of us, and I lift my face in greeting.

“I’ve heard this place is really good,” River says in a low tone.

“Wait a minute. You’re beefing it and you haven’t tried their stuff?”

She shrugs as she lifts her mug to her lips. “The gossip was good. Let’s see if it really lives up to the hype, huh?”

We clink the mugs together, and I wince at my first sip. It’s oat milk instead of the almond I asked for.

“What’s the matter?”

I can’t have oat milk because it upsets my stomach. I’ve always had a slight allergy to it, and I’ve had to be really careful to make sure I’m safe with what I eat.

“It’s the wrong kind of milk,” I mutter.

I can ask for a new one and draw attention from the crowd, who might take it the wrong way or film it…or I can just not drink it.

“It’s not a big deal.” I push the cup to the side, staring at the beautifully done leaf design on the foam. “I’ll be okay.”

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