Page 10 of Out of the Shadow

He sniffs again, making me wonder if he has allergies. “But none as fascinating as you are.”

I roll my eyes and laugh at his outrageousness. “You’re a charmer, that’s for sure.”

Blaine comes over to us. “That was a great screen test, you two,” he says with a grin. “Trevor, can I speak with you for a few?”

“I’ll give you guys some space,” I say, standing. I notice Marlene standing by the reception desk. She motions me over, so I make my way to the front of the office.

“This looks so exciting,” she says, her eyes fixed on the cameras in the conference room.

“It was this time around. The first guy they tested for the job is a real jerk, but this one’s nice. We bounced ideas off each other like colleagues. I hope they pick him.” I pause. “And me.”

Marlene shakes her head as she hands me a message slip. “I didn’t want to distract you from the TV show, but a potential new client called.”

I grab the slip of paper from her hand. “Great! And I haven’t gotten the part yet.” I check out the people in the conference room, but Trevor and Blaine are still deep in conversation. I don’t want to interrupt them, and I really need the business. “I’m going to call them back now.”

“You do that.” She points toward the conference room. “I’ll make sure to keep these guys occupied if they try to leave before you’re done.”

“Thanks.” I head over to my desk and dial the number. I’m doing this. I am going to keep our agency afloat—better still, make it profitable. When a woman answers, I enthuse, “Hi, this is Angie from Russo Real Estate. I understand you’re looking for an agent to help you with your house hunt?”

“Oh, hello,” she says with hesitation. “Well, I actually just made an appointment with The Mayflower Agency. I’ll get back in touch with you if things don’t work out.” Click.

I sit at my desk looking at the receiver before replacing it on the base. Shit. I check the message slip—she called when I was doing that awful screen test with King. When I didn’t answer, she must’ve called Poppy.Damn King.

Why did he try out for this show anyway? He obviously has more money than God, and I see him all over social media, so it can’t be for the notoriety or the paycheck. Trevor better get the role. With me.

I stomp back over to the reception desk.

“How’d it go, honey?” Marlene asks.

I give my cousin a look and sigh. She places her hand on top of mine. “Don’t worry. I have a great feeling that this television show is going to be a game changer.”

“Juliana said that, too.”

I paste on a smile and will the empty feeling lodged in the pit of my stomach to go away.

King

AT LEAST Idon’t have to get an actual job. Blaine called last night and told me I beat out Trevor for the show. Take that,Dad, I can do this on my own.

Too bad Blaine picked Angie to be my co-star. Her tight little body and long, brown hair could’ve made her hot, but her attitude sucked. I don’t know what crawled up her ass, but her anger management issues aren’t my problem.

When I stroll into Russo Real Estate for our first cast meeting, a woman in maybe her late-thirties sits behind the full desk in the front. She wasn’t here when I came in to do my screen test a week ago. Placing my elbow on the desk, I offer her my panty-dropping smile. “Hi, I’m King Hunte. I’m here for the show.”

Her demeanor doesn’t change. She doesn’t get flustered. Come to think about it, neither did Angie. Huh.

“Hello, Mr. Hunte, I’m Marlene Ragan. Congratulations on winning the co-starring spot. Everyone is in the conference room.” She pushes away from the desk and stands.

Her tone is professional, but she’s wearing a pair of leggings and an oversized shirt, belted at the waist, with flats. Not exactly office attire, if you ask me.

Reserving my opinion, I follow her to the closed door behind which is the dingy conference room where I did my screen test. I check my Rolex. I’m barely twenty minutes late. The receptionist opens the door and motions for me to enter.

As I pass, I say, “Thanks.” She nods and then I look into the room. Blaine, Kaitlyn and Angie sit around a round table where paperwork is the star. Some bagels and drinks are set up on the sideboard. I stroll over and grab a bottle of water and take the empty seat between Blaine and Angie. “Hey.”

Angie’s eyes turn to slits. A bit unsettled by her reaction, I turn my attention to Blaine, who scowls at me. Seriously? Twenty minutes late is early, in my book.

Blaine says, “Glad you could join us, King. Angie”—he looks at my co-star—“you already know that we ran all of the screen tests by our focus groups, and it wasn’t even close. Everyone fell for you and King.”

That’s what Blaine told me over the phone when he gave me this gig. I crushed it. My former friend Trevor didn’t stand a chance. I take in the paperwork spread across the table, labeled “Contract for Television Series.” My signing bonus check better be here. Blaine begins explaining what to expect when we’re filming. Whatever. I’m only in this for the money.

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