Page 20 of Nothing Heals Me Like You Do

“Not for me. I grew up with it and so many of my first pictures are of me on set with my mom and dad, before they split up. Obviously, I don’t remember any of that, but… it’s all I’ve ever really wanted to do. To be part of telling a story like that. To disappear into a character. To understand them, to learn what makes them tick. It’s so addictive. It’s my art. It’s how I create. I love it and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Maybe Justine should ask Sienna to give an acting workshop at the LGBT Center, which the Rainbow Shelter worked with closely.Argh. There she went again. She shook off the thought.

“I’m happy for you that you get to do what you love.”

“Don’t you think I’m a spoiled brat who got everything handed to her on a silver platter?”

“Of course not. Why would I think that?” Of course, the thought had crossed Justine’s mind, but that was before she’d actually met Sienna.

“The differences between us could literally not be bigger.” Sienna pushed some rice around her plate. “I am aware of that, just as I’m hyper-aware of my privilege.”

“I’m not one to hold anyone’s luck against them. You simply can’t choose the family and country and situation you’re born into. It’s like a cosmic lottery.”

“I’m sorry that you didn’t have that kind of luck,” Sienna said.

Justine waved off the comment. Pity was the last thing she needed, although it did, at certain times, work wonders to make certain people open their wallets—but there was a time and a place for that, and it wasn’t here tonight in Sienna’s penthouse.

“I can’t thank you enough for this delicious meal.” Justine changed the subject—praise was always a good way to do that.

“I have dessert as well.”

“God, you’re spoiling me.” Her belly more than full, Justine leaned back.

“Are you a dessert aficionado? Because you never know in this town.”

“I am, although I guess it depends what’s on offer.” The food and wine had fully relaxed Justine and she looked straight into Sienna’s eyes.

Sienna chuckled in response, seeming to catch Justine’s drift. Contrary to Sienna, Justine appreciated someone easy to flirt with. Someone who didn’t waste time playing games and being coy. Someone who was, very simply, up for a good time after a nice glass of wine and a delicious meal.

“It’s just a dark chocolate mousse, nothing fancy,” Sienna said. “Although maybe instead of coffee with it, we should have that conversation you came here to have.”

“No coffee for me, anyway.” Justine ogled her empty glass of wine. “I’ll have some more of that, if you have it.” Justine sat facing the kitchen and it was impossible not to notice the gigantic wine fridge in the corner. “And yes, let’s talk. We were intimate and that at least deserves a conversation.”

Chapter11

Sienna refilled Justine’s wine glass and presented her with a bowl of chocolate mousse. Then she sat down and waited for Justine to begin the conversation they’d been dancing around all night.

The entrée she’d prepared had gone down well, which pleased Sienna—cooking a meal for someone she liked was one of her greatest joys in life. And she liked Justine, that much had also become obvious over the course of the evening. She liked her no-nonsense attitude and her big heart, but also the delicate structure of her cheekbones, which gave her face a gorgeous, timeless quality that made you want to stare at it forever. Not to mention the captivating light-blue of her eyes.

“I enjoyed our night together.” A sparkle lit up Justine’s eyes. “Even more so because it made Rochelle and Rita act all out of whack.”

“So I gathered.” Sienna was still trying to work out the intricacies of Justine’s relationship with her ex.

“But this is not about Rochelle, even though, let’s be honest, it is very much a mindfuck that you’re playing her.”

“Do I remind you of her?” Sienna asked.

“In some ways, yes. But that might just be the power of suggestion. The human brain is so susceptible to that. Maybe if I’d met you in circumstances that weren’t you being cast to play my ex, you might not remind me of her at all, but I’ll never know. Either way, you remind me of the best parts of Rochelle. Her gregariousness. Her warm smile. Her easy way, you know? I fell for her pretty hard back in the day. She was so kind and lovely—she still is, now.” Justine paused. "But you are very much your own person, of course. And I know more than most that real beauty comes from within. That said, I find you very attractive. I'm not deluding myself about that. We didn't sleep together simply because I was drawn to the goodness of your heart. Although life has made me a pretty good judge of character and I sincerely believe you’re one of the good ones." Justine’s tone was slightly self-deprecating, as if she found her own words amusing but silly.

Sienna was melting under Justine’s bright gaze. There was a lot to unpack in what Justine had just said, but the gist of it was, unmistakably, that Justine liked her as well. What Sienna was keen to find out, however, was where things were headed from here.

“I’d thank you,” Sienna said, “but the particular shape of my face you’re drawn to is merely due to genetics so I can’t take credit for that.”

“See, this is exactly why I’m attracted to you. You’re incredibly down-to-earth for a nepo-baby movie star.”

“How did you think I was going to be?”

“For starters, I would not have expected you to make that delicious meal.” Justine briefly sank her front teeth into her bottom lip. “And, well, I also never would have expected you to respond to my inane flirting the other night at Min-ji’s.” She scrunched up her lips. “I guess I’m with Rochelle on that. It is quite perplexing if you look at it objectively.”

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