Page 20 of The Casting Couch

Almost every guy they paired me with lately was a Bob.

Bob was code for “kind of a loser,” or “emotionally vacant gym bro with two facial expressions,” or worse… “chronic mouth breather.”

I sighed, stretching my arms behind my head, making sure my abs caught the overhead light just right.If I had to fake-lust after another Bob, at least I’d look good doing it.

The door creaked open and Laura walked in, clipboard in hand and Starbucks in the other.

I grinned.“Hey, Queen of Mean.Who’s my lucky co-star?”

Laura shrugged without looking up.“Hell if I know.I’m just here for the check.”

Classic.

And then…

They walked in.

Jack first.Then Liam.And trailing awkwardly behind them…

Holy.Shit.

My brain stalled mid-thought.

Him?

Tall.Lean, but not skinny.Big brown eyes, dark lashes, hair that looked like it hadn’t seen a proper cut in months but somehow worked.A little scruffy.A little messy.And a blush creeping up his cheeks like he’d just been caught watching porn on the library Wi-Fi.

Oh… this was interesting.

My grin curled before I could stop it.

Well, hello, New Guy.

The man’s eyes did a full sweep of me, and yeah, I clocked it.The wide-eyed stare, and the way his gaze lingered just a second too long at my chest, then flicked down to my hips like he was trying not to.

Cute.

Real cute.

Laura, meanwhile, froze like someone had sucker-punched her.She blinked at him, then pointed a very accusatory acrylic nail straight at his chest.

“What the hell are you doing here?”she asked, her voice climbing an octave.

The poor guy turned redder than a fire hydrant.“Uh… long story.”

I bit back a laugh.God, I liked this already.

Liam stepped forward with his usual gentle smile.“Bradley, you’re in expert hands.”

Jack nodded.“Just act naturally.Don’t overthink it.”

Bradley stared at them like they’d both asked him to perform Hamlet in a thong.“Do I have to do this… in front of all of you?”

Laura grinned, all teeth and evil delight.“Better get used to it, sugar.”

Jack gave a lazy wave toward the camera setup.“We’re not gonna shoot anything too explicit.Just need to see how you photograph… and how you interact with Nico.”

At the sound of my name, Bradley glanced at me again.This time I held his gaze, slow and steady.

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