Page 6 of Lethal Lover

“What?” I mumble, looking at Warren. He shrugs, and we both look at the stagehand who leaps onto the stage in similar fashion to the way Warren did earlier.

“What’s going on?” Trixie asks. She comes out with her hands on her hips, glaring at anyone who dares look at her. It’s the same nasty expression she has ninety percent of the time, anyway. It’s not just resting bitch face. She has a real problem with me.

“I guess Peter got mugged. They are taking him in to check on him and do a police report. New York’s crime scene strikes again. Just enjoy the night off, Tricky T.” He winks at her and darts backstage, and everyone bursts into murmurs and hushed tones.

Maybe Warren’s following me around is a good idea. I didn’t realize how dangerous the streets are in NYC. It makes me wonder how safe it is for me to even walk home alone. I finger my phone through the pocket of my jeans and consider calling an Uber instead of walking to the subway tonight.

“Want to go to dinner?” Warren asks, and I give him a confused look. How could he even want to eat at a time like this? Is he heartless?

“We just ate…” My deadpan expression doesn’t sneak past him, and I see a flicker of frustration in his eyes.

“Dessert, then?”

“Sorry, War. I need my beauty sleep. How else can I stay New York’s most beautiful actress?” I wink at him and stand up, dusting my jeans off. I pick up my leftover container and soda cup and hope he doesn’t get pushy. I don’t need drama around here.

In my dressing room, I put my things together, and when I use my phone to schedule an Uber for a ride home, I remember that I told Liam I would let him know if I had a slot free up in my schedule. It makes me smile thinking of him. I’ve felt like an ugly duckling my whole life until he lavished his compliments on me. So with the smile still on my face, I call the number he gave me.

“This is Salva…” His voice gets me, making my heart beat a little oddly. I feel like a teenager with a crush, but he’s so much older than me. It doesn't seem real sometimes.

“Uh, Liam?”

“Elena, so nice to hear your voice. How is the rehearsal going?” He sounds happy to hear me, which makes me happy. It’s a nice feeling to know someone likes me.

I bite my lip as I say, “Well… It’s canceled. I am free for the evening. I thought maybe we could… Well, you said…”

“Ah, I’m so sorry, Elena. I’m busy all evening…” There’s a pregnant pause, as if he’s thinking. I would love to spend the evening with him, but if he’s busy, I can always just stay home and watch a movie or something. It would be good to catch up on my sleep. “You know what? Let me just clear my schedule. Where are you? What are you wearing?”

A surge of happiness wells up inside my chest, wrapping around my throat. I cough a little and answer. “I’m at the theater. I’m just wearing jeans and a T-shirt. I’m not really dressed for any fancy place.” Last time we went to dinner, it was a starred restaurant I felt completely out of place in. Even with the dress he gave me, I felt like a piece of toilet paper dragged on the bottom of his shoe. It was his style, not mine, though if I’m dating a man as wealthy as him, I have to get used to that.

“No problem. I’ll send a car for you and we’ll get some burgers or pizza. How does that sound?”

I feel like gushing, but that will only make me look foolish and immature. Liam has to be ten years older than me, maybe more. I want to impress him, not embarrass myself. So, I take a composing breath and glance around the room.

“That’s great. I’ll be ready in ten minutes.”

Twenty-five minutes later, I sit across from him at a small table in the dining room of Burger King. My jeans and T fit right in, but Liam is in a three-piece suit and he looks really out of place. It’s a wonder he isn’t getting robbed for that watch on his wrist. It looks expensive, and people are staring at us.

I take a bite of my burger, thankful I barely touched the Chinese which is now in my trash can in my dressing room. Liam eats a French fry, but I have to chuckle at how awkward it seems. I feel like Cinderella without the gown being followed by Prince Charming in public. I wonder when he’s getting out the glass slipper.

“What?” he asks, picking up his paper cup of soda.

“You just don’t see such a wealthy man wearing such a nice suit eating French fries very often.” I smile at him and look away, feeling silly for pointing out the elephant in the room.

“Ah, this? It’s nothing. People stare at me everywhere I go, anyway. I don’t mind. I’m with the most beautiful woman in the city. They are going to stare, anyway.”

He charms me. His charisma is magnetic, drawing me in and making me a believer in whatever he says. Liam is handsome and alluring. I can’t believe he’s interested in me. Maybe it’s justbecause of my status at the theater, though, and I don’t really want a groupie or a fan-boy. That thought makes my smile fade a little, but Liam says my name and it brightens right back up.

“So, Elena. Tell me about the show.” He slides another French fry into his mouth, and I shrug and swallow the bite of burger. It’s awkward eating in front of someone you've just met, but make that person a billionaire and it’s even worse.

“Well, I got the lead in the last play, but this time, Nina got it. I’m a secondary role, though, so I don’t mind.” I pick up my soda and sip it, and he clicks his tongue.

“Well, that’s alright. You’ll get the next one. That director just doesn’t know what he’s got yet.” He winks at me, and I blush. So maybe he’s not just after me because of my status. I’m not as good as he thinks I am. It was a fluke how I got the lead in the last play. I don’t really see myself getting to that status for a while. Trixie and Nina are both older than me by a few years. They have more talent, more experience, and honestly, I think they’re prettier too.

“I appreciate your saying that.” I look down at my burger as I have another bite. The rest of dinner, we chat about the show and what it’s about. He asks me tons of questions, a lot of them revolving around how my fans have been sending me letters and gifts. I suppose it’s normal. He wonders if he’s competing for my attention with other men. I think it’s sweet that he has a jealous streak, so I put him at ease and let him know no one else has caught my attention.

When dinner is over, Liam leads me to his limo, which again looks very odd parked out in front of Burger King. I’m not even sure there is parking on this street, but there it is, taking up two parking spaces. I slide into the back seat, and he follows me, andwhen the door shuts, his hand rests on my knee. I feel a little tense now, like maybe I should have just gotten that Uber.

“Uh, so you’re taking me home now?” I ask, not even trying to mask my nerves. Liam is a grown man, and I’m not talking about a boy turned into a legal adult and curious about life. Liam is experienced and probably has women ten years older than me lined up to pleasure him in ways I’ve never heard of. I’m just not that sort of girl.

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