Page 3 of Finding Her Leading Man

“What’s the story with Samantha? I know you two presented together last month at that awards show, but why would she be here?” He watched Grayson’s profile, trying to figure out if he’d heard something. “Isn’t she under contract forAladdin?”

Samantha Nilsson made the perfect Jasmine, with her almond-shaped, blue eyes and long, dark brown hair. After seeing her and Grayson present the award, he did the most normal thing in the world. He’d looked her up on the internet.

She had a multicultural background that made her absolutely gorgeous. Her mother was Mexican American and her father, Swedish. Such a small, damn world for her mom to be from Statem.

“I have no idea why she’s here.” Grayson pulled out his phone. “But I’d like to find out. You know, it’s odd that we’d both end up in such a small town. I’m here for your sister’s wedding, but Samantha said she was taking a break. I agree that everyone needs a break, but it’s usually time away from a project, not dropping mid-season and moving across the United States to get a job at a diner.”

Trevor gripped the strap of his bag. He was in Statem to focus on Addie’s wedding, to run interference between his sister and their parents. That should be his sole focus. Not trying to get to know someone who seemed so broken. She’d wanted to play it off, but he saw through it. His hand tightened. What would’ve made her go from being a Broadway superstar to the unsure, upset woman he just met?

“I texted a guy I know in New York.” Grayson slipped his phone back into his gym shorts. “He’ll tell me without making it a big deal. Can’t imagine the production company would let her take-off without good reason. Or that she’d walk away from her contract like that. Her work ethic is part of her reputation.”

Trevor stared at the cracks in the sidewalk as they headed to the high school weight room for Grayson to work out. Each step increased the tension between his shoulders. Something had put those shadows underneath her eyes.

And he wanted to fix it.

Hell, he just wanted to spend some time with her. Rarely did the opportunity present itself for him to be stationary for a month. Not with Grayson’s schedule.

“Damn.” Grayson passed Trevor his phone after looking at it. “I feel bad for her.”

You’ve been out of the country too long. Three weeks ago, it came out that Jasper Henderson cheated on her after being together six years. They were due to get married at the beginning of June. Didn’t cheat with one woman but several, including two of her friends and her agent. Unfortunately, Jasper still had seniority over her. The director released her from Aladdin temporarily to let the drama die down. Jasmine tried to shove Aladdin off the carpet after she found out.

“Sorry sack of shit.” Trevor’s hand tightened on the strap of his bag until it hurt. Men who treated women that way were scum.

Grayson glanced at him. “Easy, now. My contract is coming up for negotiation soon. Unless you can haggle from a prison cell, don’t go popping off at this guy. This isn’t any of your business.”

“Says the man that almost crushed a guy’s windpipe for making a move on his girl.”

Grayson grinned with pure satisfaction. “I already had feelings for Juliana by then. You can’t possibly have feelings for Samantha. You met her five minutes ago.”

Grayson was right, but Trevor was still inclined to hit something. Punch on a bag or lift some weight and get the uncomfortable buzzing out from under his skin.

Better yet, he wanted to see Samantha again. That would help. Redirection. She was better off without that Jasper guy. Maybe he could prove that to her.

“I think I will work out with you today.”

Grayson smirked. “I’ll take the company, but you’re wearing jeans.”

“You know what? You’re right.” He stopped on the sidewalk. He hitched his thumb over his shoulder. “Let me run back and change. I’ll meet you there.”

He sighed and set his hands on his hips. “She just got her ass handed to her by a guy, lost her job, and ended a six-year relationship a month before her wedding. She doesn’t need you flirting with her on top of things.”

Trevor held his hands up. “I have no idea what you are implying.” He did. He dated. A lot. Nothing serious because he didn’t want to be tied down. He traveled the world with his job. Having one woman in one city sounded claustrophobic.

But he had another month in Statem.

Grayson rolled his eyes. “You’re impossible when it comes to women. How many have you dated this year? Nine?”

“I’ve taken eleven women on dates, but you make it sound more than it is. I didn’t have some deep, long-lasting relationship with any of them.”

“No. But you hop. Don’t you think, after this text—” Grayson held up his phone “—that she probably needs time to recoup?”

“Orshe might be interested in going out, taking her mind off things. You know people can date other people without it being a lifetime commitment. Just two people, enjoying a conversation.”

“I don’t know why I waste my breath. See you at the gym. But I’m not waiting for you to start.”

Trevor turned and walked back to the bed and breakfast, raising a hand in greeting to the sweet landlady who enjoyed feeding him and Grayson massive breakfasts. He turned the corner to the stairs.

“Ah!” Samantha stumbled backward.

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