Page 586 of Hell Hath No Fury
“I also give a killer massage,” I say.
“Now you’re just being cruel,” he says in response.
Needing the fresh air to clear my mind and give me a sense of control, I get out of the car and let it wash over my fevered skin. “Did he make it?”
“Barely.” There’s a pause, then a sigh. “Enough about that. Tell me about you. I’m sure you can’t be the angel Diana makes you out to be.”
Smiling, I unlock the front door to Mom’s house and let myself into the empty living room. “She can’t help herself. Since I’m an only child, she’s always spoiled me.”
“Don’t I know it. She knew I wasn’t interested in dating and yet, here we are.”
I toss my keys on the buffet table next to the front door. “I hope she wasn’t too much of a pest.”
“Considering I’m getting a massage out of the deal, I’m feeling more into the idea of a blind date. Besides, I always look for an excuse to go to the theatre.”
A laugh tickles the back of my throat. “Do you go often?”
“Not as much as I’d like. Work keeps me pretty full up these days. I’m surprised you still like it, even though you’re there for work all the time.”
“Not so much these days, but I wouldn’t have gotten into acting if I didn’t love it.”
“What do you love about it?”
Settling onto the fluffy couch that has been a staple in our household for as long as I can remember, I stare up at the ceiling, considering. “At first it was just an obligation. You know? School plays, high school performances, speeches. But as I got older, I realized I was good at it. Really good. And I liked being up on stage, feeling almost invincible, being anyone in the world.”
“Must be a great feeling, having all those adoring eyes on you.”
Laughing softly, I murmur, “Unless you put on a bad performance.”
“Well, I doubt you’ve ever given one.”
“Not too many, but everyone has a few.” I toe off my shoes and stretch my legs on the cushions.
“If you enjoy it so much, what brings you back to Nassau? As much as I love the arts, we aren’t exactly known for them.”
Blowing out a breath, I say, “I guess I’m one of the unlucky thousands with big dreams and not enough talent. After college, New York was all I wanted, all I could think about. Those big dreams died hard when I woke up a couple weeks ago and realized I’ve been slogging for years without making any headway. I never even landed a real audition. So I gave up my room in the apartment I shared with six other actresses and came home.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“Teach acting?” I say with a humorless laugh. “I don’t know. Maybe go back to college for something else.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“Thanks. I hope so.”
“And you never know.” I hear him smiling over the line. “Maybe I’ll see you on stage sometime.”
The laughter bubbling in my throat spills over my lips. “Want a special performance, huh?” I bite my lip, stemming the flirtatious banter that threatens to burst forth. I haven’t even met this guy and I’m already flirting with him. First the club, now this. My sex-drive must be in high gear.
“I wouldn’t say no to one,” he says, his voice low and inviting.
“Maybe if Saturday goes well, you will.”
“Upping the stakes, hmm.”
“Incentive,” I nearly whisper it over the line. The part inside of me stoked by the thought of the club is enjoying the back and forth with this stranger. Maybe it’s easier because I can’t see him. Haven’t met him. He’s still an imaginary lover, practically anyone I want him to be. My ex hadn’t been so open to out-right flirtation and he loathed most overtures of a sexual nature. It’s no wonder I’d grown stifled in the relationship.
“I’ll put my game face on,” he says next. “Make sure you wear something that will put your mom to shame for setting us up.”
