Page 28 of Hot Set

“It wouldn’t be the end of the world,” I said awkwardly.

“But you like working on this production, don’t you?” Brandon asked.

“Yes,” I said carefully, “But I also don’t want to hold things up.”

Brandon smiled. “Well, considering all the chaos we’ve already dealt with, I don’t know. I guess this would be just one more thing.”

I gulped. Why did he have to be so nice? It would all work out better if Brandon was a jerk. Then, I wouldn’t have any problem telling Brandon that having sex with him was a mistake that meant nothing. But I’d be lying.

And even if Ihadbeen attracted to Brandon, we still wouldn’t have worked. I was looking to join the FBI. That was my dream. And if I were picked for the job, I’d have to move. There would be no way around that, and I could never ask someone to pick up their life and go with me.

This was for the best. Be polite and professional, avoid Brandon as much as possible, and do everything I can to join the FBI.

“Hello, plebians!”

Seth tossed his motorcycle jacket in Brandon’s face and swept into the vacant make-up chair beside me. I’d never been so happy to see a man in my life.

“About time,” Brandon said, the remark not nearly as scathing as it should’ve been. “You’re holding us up.”

“Good things come to those who wait,” Seth said.

“Don’t get biblical. Besides, I don’t know that I’d callyoua good thing,” Brandon replied dryly.

Seth tipped his head back and smirked. “You know you adore me, Brandon. Don’t deny it.”

“Adore?” Brandon replied. “I like that you haven’t quit yet. Does that make you adorable?”

“I would never do that. You wouldn’t survive without me.”

With Seth’s distraction, I turned back to my make-up. I knew pretty well by now what I wanted to put on Seth’s face, so I pulled out the usual base. We were doing blood and gore today, so there would have to be latex and gum.

“Make sure you make my good side shine, Alex,” Seth said.

“You haven’t got one,” Brandon retorted. “You’re impossible,” he said. “We should’ve been filming your scenes at least thirty minutes ago.”

Thirty minutes was actually an accomplishment for Seth, who’d shown uphourslate before.

“Clearly, it’s not urgent,” Seth said. “You and Brandon were just sitting here talking.”

“Only for a few minutes,” Brandon replied.

I turned around and squeezed the foundation onto my wrist. “Ready?” I asked.

Seth grinned. “Ready,” he said in a sing-song voice. “Be gone, Brandon. You’ll distract him.”

Brandon rolled his eyes but climbed to his feet. “I’ll see you guys later, then. Alex, try to make sure Seth actually comes to the shoot once you’re done.”

“No promises,” I replied.

Brandon looked between Seth and me. “Do your best,” Brandon said, seemingly resigned to his fate. “Please.”

As Brandon turned away, Seth winked at me. “Good luck, Alex,” he said.

I needed good luck far more than Seth knew.

Chapter ten

Brandon

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