Page 45 of Fool's Gold

Maybe that’s why I wanted a little more courage than my poor, tired mind could muster.

“Empire Stone?”

Marcus steps away for a second, and when I glance over, in his place is an actor I’ve only seen from a distance. I blink up, up, and up into a face carved by the gods themselves.

“Jacob Kessler,” the young man continues. He holds out a hand until I place mine in it, and he draws me forward, pressing a light kiss to one cheek and then the other. “I’ve heard many things about you.”

“And somehow you’re still smiling,” I reply, drawn into the banter easily. My gosh, he’s pretty to look at. I’ve always thought so. “It’s lovely to meet you, Jacob.”

“The pleasure is mine. Why would I not smile? You’re a vision. And as sweet as people claim you are.” He eyes me up and down but not in a lecherous way. Appreciative, considerate, interested.

And sweet? Me?

“Who have you been talking to?” I blurt out, barely aware he’s still holding my hand. “No one in their right mind would call me sweet.”

Jacob leans in closer and says with a stage whisper, “Who said they were in their right mind?”

Laughter comes easily, and a great bubble of it.

“Between you and me, promoting the movie is the worst part. Because you don’t get a reprieve even if the event is for another project.” He keeps hold of me for half a heartbeat longer before dropping it, but he keeps close to my side. “You’ve got to work the circuit.”

“So I’m finding out.”

He chuckles at my tone. “I’m going to guess you’re not really a fan.”

“I mean…” I bite down on my lip. His presence is comforting, making it a little easier to speak without a weight on my shoulders. “It’s been fun. Dipping my toe into the pool, you know, but I’m still not sure I really like the water.”

“I totally get it.”

Blond and gorgeous, Jacob Kessler has all the makings of Hollywood’s next “it” man. The kind who guarantees a movie’s success even if it flops, just by his name alone.

He has the chops to back up his looks as well. Last season he was nominated for an Emmy.

“Have you noticed it yet?” he asks. “The attention zeroing in on a particular target?”

“You mean, how I’ll be playing the promo queen tonight?” I grab a flute of champagne from a passing server and take a sip, careful not to drain the whole damn thing. My throat is parched. “Absolutely.”

Jacob grabs a glass as well and taps his to mine. “The hoops you jump through to please the people are unreal sometimes.”

He’s too hot for his own good. Incredibly so, to the point where other starlets and even seasoned actresses twice and three times his age circle us. Desperate to grab a shred of his attention. I watch them from his side but at a distance, like they’re the fish in an aquarium and I’m just passing by.

Interesting to be on this side of things.

Yes, I’m the promo queen, but Jacob is the one drawing the scrutiny, not me.

“From what I’ve seen, it doesn’t even stop when you sleep.You have to eat, breathe, and live each part until there’s nothing left of you,” I murmur.

He nudges me gently. “You know what helps? Having friends who understand and also know the real you. They keep you grounded.”

“I suppose you’d like to be that kind of friend for me?” Flirting comes naturally, which gives me a little shock.

Jacob is charming and sweet, the polar opposite of Marcus in every way. Why shouldn’t I flirt with him?

I grin, my stomach flipping in a sweet way when his smile draws wider, too.

“Actually, I’d like to work with you at some point,” he adds with a conspiratorial wink. “If you don’t think it’s too forward to bring up work while we’re supposed to be playing.”

“With me?” Surprise flickers through me. “Why?”

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