Page 23 of The Exception

I stared at my phone, hoping to convey my irritation via a look, over the lines, even though we weren’t on video. I put the device back to my ear. “Why would I pretend about anything? I’m going to walk onto the set, ask for him, and tell him exactly how I found him.”

“Heh. Leave my name out of it.” The laughter landed flatly. “And do you think he’s going to see you?”

I didn’t know, but that wasn’t going to stop me from trying. “Give me the information. I’ll handle the rest.”

An hour later, I was pulling into a makeshift movie lot. The guy working security recognized me—was a fan from back in the daysin his words—and wanted a selfie.

I was happy to oblige. “I’m here to see Elijah. Could you point me to him?”

His eyes went wide. “Reunion?”

“Something like that.” I was hoping exactly like that, but I was already walking a fine line between the honesty I preferred, and pissing him off even further. “But it’s a surprise, so do me a favor and keep that pic offline for just half an hour.”

“Yeah, of course, man.” He pocketed his phone and pointed me in a direction.

I’d gotten here late enough that a lot of the crew was wrapping up for the day. I probably should’ve waited until tomorrow—it was unlikely Eli was still here—but I had to trynow. I needed another chance to make things right with him.

Being on set was like coming home, in both bad ways and good. It was easy to wander through the lot toward my destination, and felt natural to take the back path to avoid being stopped too many times for whatever reason.

A familiar voice and a laugh flitted to me, and a shiver of excitement ran through me.Kandace?

No. Someone who sounded like her, and I was putting her in their place because she teased my dreams.

“Then how do I know the kisses are real?”

No, that was definitely Kandace. Who was she talking to about kissing? I could step in and provide a personal demonstration and neither she nor they would doubt it was real.

“I think you know.”

Fuck. That was Eli. Was it possible for me to be double hard?

“A brilliant, driven, observant woman like you? You must know how much I want you.”

He did?

He wasn’t an idiot, if he knew her, of course he wanted her. They were both people of good taste. And as I rounded a corner, sure enough, Eli stood toe-to-toe with Kandace, towering over her, kissing her with the kind of intensity that couldn’t be acted, no matter how good someone was.

I swore I could feel the heat flowing between them from where I stood, and they had no idea anyone but them existed right now.

They looked sexy as fuck, and I was torn between watching a little longer, and leading with a witty entrance. How did I wittily break up a chemistry-laden staring match between the man I never quite got over and the one night stand I hadn’t forgotten?

So you two know each other?

Prettiest sight on the lot.

I was looking for the stars. You must be them.

Ugh.

Eli pressed a hand to Kandace’s cheek and drew a thumb over her bottom lip. My dick almost burst through my jeans at the thought of watching the two of them together, but the jealousy was just as intense.

I was about to do something super stupid, I just knew it.

“Funny meeting both of you here,” I said.

As if the master himself, John Woo, was shooting the scene, the entire world slowed to a crawl as both of them turned to me. Eli’s scowl flowed in like an art form, and pink spread across Kandace’s cheeks.

“Both? Wait, you know him?” The world was back to normal speed as Eli glanced at Kandace.

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