Page 17 of Love At First Fright
“No? You just run into rooms and sigh loudly against door frames all the time then?”
“I didn’t sigh.”
He took a slow sip of his drink. “Sure.”
“I just heard Jeremy and his cronies in the hall,” she admitted, waving her hand in the direction of the foyer. “I’m not interested in dealing with him tonight. Or existing in that world.”
“But you are in that world now. Or you will be, when the film comes out.” Ellis had risen from his chair and was walking slowly towards her. The bubbles from the prosecco earlier were dancing around in her belly.
“Maybe a little more, but I’ll never be like you. And that’s fine by me.”
“Alright for some. Enjoy your privacy while it lasts.” Ellis smirked, and took a deep drink.
“Why aren’t you out there? What’s your excuse? It’s not very gentlemanly to leave your girlfriend alone at a party.”
Ellis offered her a seething glare over the rim of his glass. “Maybe I’m not a gentleman. Maybe I like my privacy, too, what little I get of it. Jenna doesn’t need an old man like me anyway.”
Old man? Who was this guy kidding?
Rosemary snorted. “Please, you’re barely pushing forty. Name another old man who spends half his time topless and slicked in baby oil for the camera.”
It dawned on her, from the smug grin on his face, that she had just paid him a compliment.
“You’ve watched my movies.” Ellis stepped closer and, by some strange gravitational pull, Rosemary didn’t back away.
“Not intentionally. They’re everywhere, it’s just cultural osmosis. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Too late. I feel extremely flattered. I’m buckling under the weight of it.”
This time, she felt a smile creep onto her face. Ellis finished his drink, placing the glass down on the table.
“The coast is probably clear now, if you want to head back to your room, Rosemary.”
He had to stop saying her name like that, all deep and velvety.
“I was thinking about staying in here actually, maybe read one of the newspapers.”
“And it won’t bother you if I stay and do the same? Maybe we can compare notes on the reviews sections.”
“Be my guest,” Rosemary replied through gritted teeth.
Ellis chuckled, his hand coming to rest on the doorknob behind her, lightly grazing Rosemary’s forearm. His touch was warm. “You really don’t like me, do you?” he asked.
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, I have eyes. And ears.”
“It’s not personal, Ellis.”
“It feels rather personal, Rosemary,” he shot back.
“You’re just not how I imagined Alfred would look.”
“What’s wrong with me?”
“You’re not the right…shape,” she said lamely.
“Shape? What shape should I be?”
