Page 145 of Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance

“I am worthy of this role.”

“I can do this.”

“I can do this.”

“My beautiful girlfriend will withhold sexual favors if I don’t audition.”

“Hey!”

She leans forward and kisses me. Then her next words brush my lips. “You are worthy of this role. I’ll arrange a private audition. See where you stand.”

I stare into her eyes. She knows me, all the way to the bone. My insecurities, always so well hidden behind a smile and a camera flash.

“Is this the first role you’ve wanted for me?” I ask.

She picks up bits of pie from the plate with the back of her fork. “I’ve been thinking about it since the headshot for Beatrice Good came across my desk.”

“Who’s Beatrice Good?”

She pulls out her phone. After a quick search, she shows me the picture. Midthirties. Dark hair. Where have I seen her?

Wait.It’s the fortune teller from the party.

“You found her?”

“She found us. She remembered us stopping by her table at the Hollywood party.”

I might be busted. “And?”

“She told me you paid her to give me a fortune to go find love.”

“How long have you known?”

“A couple of weeks.” She licks the back of her fork, clearly not upset in the least.

“But you waited to bring it up.”

She grins. “I gave it a good think. I figured you were trying to push me in the direction that was best for me. So I’m bringing it up now because—”

“You want to push me in this direction.”

Her smile widens. “I love how we finish each other’s—”

“Syllables.”

She laughs. “That’s perfect.”

I look back down at the page. “And if I fail?”

“Then I can sigh in relief that I’ve saved thousands of unsuspecting women from pining over you after hearing you sing. It’s hard to share you, you know. But I can do it.”

“You won’t be disappointed in me?” I won’t bring my mother up at this moment. Kelsey already knows.

“You’re amazing, Zach, no matter what role you play, center stage or behind the curtain.” She presses her palm to my cheek.

I slide my face to kiss the inside of her hand. “All right. Let’s see what happens.”

“Good.” She uses her free hand to stab my pie again. “Too slow!”

---