Page 55 of Three's a Crowd
‘Adam, Daisy, great, you’re here,’ he said with a sigh, flopping down onto the sofa next to Adam. ‘I thought I was going to have to spend the whole evening swapping small talk. I guess that’s the problem with mixing business with pleasure,’ he said under his breath, grinning at them. ‘What?’ he asked, bemused by their dumbfounded response.
Adam recovered himself first. ‘Yeah, what a shit life you lead, mate,’ he muttered, shifting away from Zach on the sofa.
Daisy frowned at him, embarrassed by his drunken sarcasm. ‘It’s just so strange to see you like this, amongst these people, that is,’ she said, desperately trying to salvage the situation and get them all back on a friendly keel. ‘I can’t get used to you being famous,’ she finished lamely.
‘Yeah, well, it’s not all it’s cut out to be,’ he said, frowning at Adam. ‘What did you think of the film? Be honest, I can take it.’ His expression was expectant, though; he was obviously hoping for a positive response.
Adam just shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I slept through most of it,’ he said. ‘Sorry, mate.’ The apology was made without much conviction.
Daisy stiffened in anger at this cruel response. How could he be so rude and uncaring towards his best friend? But she knew why he was being like this. He was jealous of Zach’s success.
Zach’s face was a mask of nonchalance, but Daisy saw the hurt flash in his eyes.
‘Yeah, well, I guess it’s not everyone’s cup of tea,’ he muttered.
‘Well, I loved it, and I thought you were brilliant in it,’ Daisy said, giving him a heartfelt smile and hoping she could undo some of the damage Adam had wreaked. She knew how she’d feel if it was her receiving such a damning review of her work at the radio station and she desperately wanted to save Zach the pain.
‘Thank you, Daisy,’ he said with real warmth in his voice. ‘And you look beautiful in that dress. I knew you would.’ He smiled now, the expression in his eyes genuine.
She smiled back, warmed by his praise.
Zach’s attention was suddenly drawn away by his co-star arriving beside him.
Daisy gazed up at her from her lowly position on the sofa.
The woman was radiant. Her flawless skin glowed with health and she projected an enviable, comfortable-in-her-own skin vibe.
‘Hey,’ Zach said, ‘let me introduce you to Savannah.’ He turned back to his co-star. ‘This is Daisy and this is Adam,’ Zach said, gesturing towards them in turn. ‘They’re two of my oldest friends,’ he added, slapping Adam gently on the arm.
Adam just glared at him and leaned away.
Daisy tried desperately to keep her face neutral and friendly whilst shaking hands with the stunning, somewhat other-worldly-looking actor.
‘Hi there, great to meet you. Zach’s told me a lot about you both,’ Savannah said, apparently unaware of the uncomfortable atmosphere that had fallen between them all.
‘Zach, have you seen Jon? He said he’d meet me here, but I can’t find him anywhere,’ she said scanning the crowd that had gathered behind her, all desperate for a moment of her time.
‘No, sorry,’ Zach said, shaking his head. ‘He could be in the bar area. I’m sure he made it on board though, don’t worry.’ He gave her a reassuring smile.
‘Yeah, I’m sure he did,’ she agreed, somewhat placated. ‘I’m just going to check over there,’ she said. ‘Excuse me. It was great meeting you both,’ she directed this towards Adam and Daisy, before gliding off to the bar, a sea of admirers following in her wake.
‘She’s madly in love with the director and they’re having a bit of a shit time of it at the moment,’ Zach confided under his breath.
Daisy experienced a rush of relief at this information. So, Savannah and Zachweren’ttogether.
Someone executive-looking came over then. ‘Zach, great performance. I have a new project coming up that might interest you…’
Daisy took the opportunity, while Zach’s attention was otherwise engaged, to chastise Adam for his behaviour.
‘What the hell’s the matter with you!’ she hissed, glaring at him.
Adam just shrugged at her. ‘Just look at him, Daisy. He thinks he’s some kind of god parading around here. Wanker. And you’re just making a fool of yourself sucking up to him like a groupie,’ he added, clearly well on his way to being drunk again.
But before Daisy could respond to this nonsense, Zach turned back to them.
‘Sorry about that, I guess I’m still working,’ he said with a roll of his eyes.
‘You really are a good actor, you know,’ she blurted, a little wildly.
