Page 16 of Finding Her Leading Man

“That’s good.” His voice rumbled behind her. If she shifted, she’d brush against his body. The fork appeared in front of her. He must have moved closer, dropping his voice as he asked, “Did you want to try a piece?”

Of him, maybe. She closed her eyes for a moment, getting herself under control and pushing away that thought. She couldn’t go there, no matter how much she wanted to. She accepted the fork and took the last bite of the cake. “Again, this is excellent, Becky,” she mumbled.

Becky’s lips pursed, her eyes shifting between Samantha and Trevor. She’d caught the by-play between them. After their girls’ night, Becky had declared that Samantha should stop letting Jasper ruin her future and take a chance on Trevor.

Samantha shook her head, trying to get Becky to keep silent on the matter.

Thankfully, Becky seemed to drop the subject. “Alright. The last piece of cake is a cinnamon roll cake.”

“I’ve never heard of that.” Trevor picked the fork and scooped half of their small slice off. He hesitated. “You can go first this time.” He offered her the fork, his other hand brushing along her lower back.

She took the fork, eating the cake but not tasting it. It was probably amazing.

His chest rumbled with laughter at something Cameron said. The pressure of his hand on her lower back intensified.

She swallowed, again, needing water.

Needing space.

“Samantha, come help me in the kitchen.” Becky walked away without waiting, and as soon as they were behind closed doors, spun around. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but Trevor is hot as hell and giving you nine-thousandsignals out there, and you’re standing there like…like the damn statue in the park down the street. I thought we’d decided you’d take him up on his offer.”

“You and the rest of the women decided that. I’m still not sure.”

“Hell.” Becky set her hands on her hips. “You’re holding back for no reason.”

“I’m just not ready to go there,” Samantha shot back, releasing a small amount of her pent-up anger.

Becky tapped her foot, both hands on her hips. “Fine. I can respect that. Your last relationship just ended. Broken engagement. Lost your friends. Take the time you need. Heal. But I’ve known that man off and on for the past year and what Addie told you was completely true. He’s a good guy. He’s not out to snag you as a client. He doesn’t have some crazy agenda. I’d hate for you to think you had to wait until some magical moment before you were allowed to date again.” She narrowed her eyes in a way that only Becky could. “Your fiancé cheated on you. He didn’t die. There’s no mourning period. I get that you’re hurt but let me know when that pain finally turns into being pissed off. I can tell you’re mad. I saw it the other night. There’s a fire underneath that scared kitten you’re feeling right now. When you’re ready to release it, I’m your girl.” She walked to the door and held it open. “And you should probably lay off the antacids before it screws your stomach up for good.”

“I’m not used to people bossing me around. Except for directors, but that’s their job.”

That wasn’t true. Her friends had bossed her around. Her agent. Jasper. She’d left home young and determined. She’d rule Broadway. And somehow, that drive and determination had slipped. She’d given other people control over her life.

And she wanted it back.

Becky’s lips spread into a wide smile. “I boss everyone around. It’s up to you whether or not you listen.”

7

Trevor flipped the page in Grayson’s contract. He’d drafted the last dozen or so of the deals, and this one was nearly identical. If necessary, he could rewrite it line-by-line from memory. But each time he went into a new contract, he looked forsomething. Anything that might not be in Grayson’s favor. Depending on the co-stars and production crew, he sometimes threw in perks for them, like a candy table on set. Grayson didn’t eat much candy, not while needing to stay in such top shape, but the crew sure did.

Grayson finished doing fifty push-ups and reached for his water bottle. “Find anything to change?”

“Maybe.”

“Do what you need to do. I trust you. By the way, I’m thinking of taking Juliana somewhere exotic during a break in filming. I don’t want to mention it to her before I see the schedule, though. No reason to get her excited for something I won’t have time for.”

Trevor crossed through a section. He might be able to make that happen for him. The director in the next film was much more reasonable. Some others that they’d dealt with in the past were complete jerks.

“Have you talked to your parents?” Grayson started another set of push-ups. “Is your mom bothering Addie about the wedding? Juliana said something about her stressing over programs.” He grunted as he pushed out a few more. “I made her promise that our wedding wouldn’t be as stressful.”

Trevor laid the contract aside and dropped down to the ground beside Grayson. “I promised Addie I’d call our mom today. I’ve avoided it until now, but I do need to get both Mom and Dad to back off.” He did thirty push-ups and sat back. “I’ll call them after I finish with you. Get it over with.”

“Nicholas and Amelia Johnson.” Grayson chuckled and got into position to do the last set of fifty. Trevor joined him. “Your parents are something else.”

“I know. Addie reserved a room at the bed and breakfast for them and is putting up our housekeeper from when we were little at Cameron’s parents’ house. Addie was more excited about that. Cherie was like a mom to her.” He stopped talking to finish the set, keeping up with Grayson’s pace and enjoying the burn in his chest.

Trevor pushed back. “Damn.” Exercise for him was typically a daily run and weights two to three times a week. It was boring and routine. It worked for him.

---