Page 91 of He's The Reason Why

“Of course. Whatever you need, Tamar,” Rachel said with a smile.

“Sure,” Piper said. “See you tomorrow.”

Tamar took her tablet, and she and Paul went back to the booth.

Gina gave Piper a big hug. “Great job, sweetie.”

Blake clapped enthusiastically. “Really well done, Piper. Excellent work.”

“Yes, nobody would guess this is your first time,” Rachel said in a syrupy voice. “You’ve had excellent coaches.”

Jeremy clapped a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve come a long way, kiddo. Proud of you. Super proud. You know, you have an acting career waiting for you if you want it.”

Piper’s smile was genuine and filled with delight. “You’re toosweet, Jeremy. You and Gina made it really fun and you’ve taught me so much. I couldn’t have done this without you, and Blake.”

“You did the work,” Gina said. “We were just your cheerleaders. Come on, everybody, let’s go celebrate a great day. Jeremy’s buying.”

Jeremy protested as the three of them left. Blake fell into step behind them, but then Rachel put a hand on his arm to stop him.

He looked at her questioningly, but she cast a significant glance in Piper’s direction and waited until the trio had left before she spoke. “She’s certainly improved. Did she take lessons or something?”

“Something like that,” Blake said. “She’s a quick study.”

Rachel nodded. “I suppose she’s all right for a beginner. I do think Jeremy is being cruel, though. She doesn’t have a real future in this business. She’s much too…commercial.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Rachel’s meanness was always subtle, but he couldn’t figure out why she thought commercial was a bad thing.

“Oh, you know.” Rachel waved a negligent hand. “She’s fine as long as she’s animated, but she doesn’t have our background for live performance.”

“Actually, she does.” He felt his temper rising and did his best to tamp it back down. She could pick on him all she wanted. He had no problem pushing back. But this venom directed at Piper was out of line. “She’s spent her entire life performing live.”

Rachel’s laugh was low and derisive. “You mean as apopstar? Please. That’s not acting. That’s not craft. That’s dancing around on a stage like a performing bear. She’d never make it in this business in front of a camera. It’s too up close and personal.”

The anger he’d been trying to suppress surged up through his chest and out of his mouth before he could stop it. “That’s enough.”

Rachel’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry?”

“Just because you’re a good actress doesn’t mean you have to tear everybody else down.”

Rachel’s face reddened. “Blake, I didn’t…that’s not what I meant.”

“Yes, it was. You have no idea when to stop playing the game and just be a decent human being. You never did. So let me set you straight. I’m not casting you as my lead because you’re not right for the part.” He stared into her icy-blue eyes and drove his point home. “You never will be.”

It wasn’t just one part he was talking about. It was all of them. As long as he was directing, he would never, ever cast Rachel. Not even as an extra.

It took a second, but then he saw the realization of what he’d just said wash over her face. The pretend hurt melted into anger, then rage.

“Andsheis?”

“Piper has more natural ability than some people who’ve been in the business for twenty years. She’s good. Really good. She’s going to win awards, starting withScorched.”

Rachel huffed out a laugh. “Please. She’ll be gone tomorrow. Just another one-hit wonder on the road to nowhere. She’ll never have a star on the Walk of Fame.”

“Funny, I’ve never seenyourname on a star. Wonder which of you will get there first. My money’s on her.” Blake turned to leave and caught Piper watching them from the booth.

Her arms were crossed, her gaze was locked on him, and her face was an unreadable mask. The door was open, but since it led into the hallway, he wasn’t sure she could hear what was said unless the mics were still hot.

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