Page 32 of A Reluctant Boy Toy
“Thank you,” said Molly.
The driver kept his gaze forward. “Of course.”
I slipped my shades back on and played music. No one ever asked me what I listen to, but for the record, when things got super tough, I listened to Italian opera or dub step or electro house music—any music more dramatic than my current overwrought emotional state. I settled forLa Traviataand imagined curling up beside Hades and Persephone and Morrigan and Stone.
A few minutes later, I drifted to sleep on the shoulder of Molly’s lightly padded jacket.
I woke when she nudged me.
“What?”
She widened her eyes. “You just howled in your sleep.”
I shook myself awake. “I did what?”
“You gave a few yips and a bit of anow-oooo.”Shelegitgiggled.“Guess I know who you were dreaming about.”
Embarrassed, I asked. “Are we there yet?”
“Almost, sir,” the driver told us. “Another five miles.”
I closed my eyes, and in a few more minutes, we left the highway for a coastal access road. Gravel crunched beneath our wheels when we pulled into the clearing where the car had left us that first night.
The pen was still set up, despite the fact that Stone must be long gone. Deacon Caine stood speaking into the mic on his headset. Several members of the crew carried lights and sound equipment toward the area where we’d shot the day before.
“Wait.” Molly pointed to someone coming out of the trees. “Isn’t that your guy?”
“Stone?” I turned in the direction she was looking. “He left this morning, so I doubt it.”
“I think it is.” It took me a second, but I saw what she saw. Stone, Hades, and Persephone emerged from the woods like something from a fairy story. Deacon opened the pen and backed away. Stone put the hybrids inside and latched the gate. A small thrill rippled through my chest and spread.
“I guess he didn’t go after all,” Molly observed.
“He said he was heading out first thing.” I couldn’t fathom why he’d still be there. Had he lied to make things less awkward?
“You have to introduce me.” Molly practically leaped from the car.
“Wait—” Acutely aware I’d gotten sick on the way back, I wasn’t thrilled to walk over to the animal pen with her—until Stone looked my way and a smile lit his face.
“Oh, hey. Sebastian!” He waved as he came toward me. Then his happy expression melted into one of worry. “Are you okay?”
“I thought you’d be long gone.”
“That’s on me,” Deacon said from behind Stone. “The powers that be liked the scenes with Stone’s hybrids so much, they want more.”
Maddie wasn’t going to be happy about that. “Did you talk to Madison?”
He nodded. “We promised we’d find her a body double for those scenes and shoot the closeups without the animals. Gina, Kyle, and Marlon have already agreed to the new scenes.”
That made sense. None of the other werewolf actors had complained about the animals on the shoot.
“In the meantime, I’m staying for a while,” Stone said. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look awfully pale.”
“I’m just a little—” Molly dug her elbow into my ribs. “Ow.Er, I told you about Molly, my PA. I said she’s the very model of a modern major general?”
“Pleasure to meet you, Stone.” She stepped forward and held out her hand. “Let me know if you need anything. I’d be happy to help out.”
They shook warmly. “I was going to invite Sebastian for dinner. Would you care to join us? It won’t be formal. Do you know who would deliver a pizza out here?”
