Page 15 of Falling Like Stars

“Jaime wants to bring his new boyfriend. He’s so darn cute about it, I couldn’t say no. And…”

“And…?”

“I ran into Dana Hodges at Yardbird the other night.”

“J.J.!” I groan.

“I didn’t invite her,” she says quickly. “I wouldn’t do that to you without checking first, but you two used to be close. So, here’s me checking.”

“Would she even want to come?” I ask. “She acts like she can barely stand me lately.”

“She acts like she can barely stand anyone. But I felt bad because she told me no one hangs out with her anymore.”

“Gee, I wonder why? But it’s fine. Invite her.”

“You sure? It’s your shindig.”

“I’m sure. For old time’s sake.”

“Great.” I hear J.J. make a note. “That’s fifteen. Unless there’s anyone else you want to add to the guest list?”

Completely unsolicited, Zach Butler’s perfect face swims across my vision.

“No,” I reply to it, then soften my tone for J.J. “Nope. I’m good.”

“Okay. Can’t wait to see you. I’m looking forward to it.” Her voice softens too. “And Ro…”

“Yes?” I ask, though I already know what she’s going to say.

“Be careful.”

“I’m always careful,” I say.

And that makes two lies I’ve told my best friend, and it’s not even nine a.m.

The day is spent shooting exteriors. I don’t see Zach much—they have me working with the key grip, preparing the cameras. Which is good. The less contact, the fewer chances to feed that annoying curiosity about him.

At lunch, I overhear a few crewmembers saying Sam, the director, is aiming to wrap the entire thing tomorrow morning.

“Shit,” I mutter, stabbing a bite of macaroni salad with my fork. That means only one more night at my hot tub.

With Zach…

“Stop it,” I say, and one of the other PA’s gives me a weird look.

The afternoon gives way to early evening. They shoot some pickups, then reshoot Hugo’s entrance into his house, this time keeping the scarf. The second AD pulls me aside and says he wants me on set tonight for the bloody bits. I’m to assist the makeup crew in cleaning Zachary up between takes and taking photos for continuity.

Double shit. Not only am I going to have a front row seat to Zach murdering Javier—which is sure to be a harrowing performance—I have to actually touch him.

On the face.

So much for no contact, I think and then curse my cheeks that have no business growing warm.

The actors arrive after the dinner break, talking and laughing. Which is bizarre since Javier’s face has been made up to resemble pulverized ground chuck. His handsomeness is masked by prosthetic swelling, bruises, and oozing gashes. He’s practically unrecognizable.

As the scene is set up, I watch Zach move away from Javier—away from everyone—to get into character. His breath begins to come hard and flares his nose. His fists clench, and he paces the corner of the office like an animal straining to be let off its leash.

Imagine that same energy prowling up the bed, naked and hard. A feral gleam in his eyes when he takes what he wants…

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