Page 34 of Heavy Shot

"Just completely relaxed," he answered. "You rest well?"

"I did."

"Good." He explained the morning's breakfast and they talked a little before she asked, "You're doing Colbert, right?"

"Mmhmm. Press for Lone Star starts in New York. Colbert, then the Today Show. Then Live with Kelly. I have to be up at the ass-crack of dawn for those, but it's a feature segment interview. Good press for the film and I can talk about Knight."

"I'll set my alarm so I can watch Hoda Kotb fawn all over you."

"Is she the Today show? Thank god! I thought I was getting saddled with Savannah Guthrie. She drives me up a tree. I thought about doing some crazy indie film just so when she interviews me, I can say shit like, 'I took the role because I've always wanted to murder someone--this was the closest thing to it.'"

"Oh, I meant Savannah Guthrie," Rhiannon said, wrinkling her nose.

"Ugh."

"Maybe she’ll be out sick, " she said, with a shrug. She paused for a moment then added, "You should do an indie film, anyway."

He mirrored her shrug. "I think about it. But there's no money in it, you know? Don't tell anyone, but I'm all about the money."

"There could be money in it. You're an a-list star, Kline. What's more important, though, is that you've got real talent," Rhiannon said, seriously. "You're making millions a picture, but none of the films has set you apart or allowed you to really show people what you've got. There's plenty of money to be had in rehashing old, tired storylines, but what about something darker? You can't remake Hugh Grant movies for the rest of your life. It would kill your career. Action movies are fine, but they're fluff. Schwarzenegger could hardly speak English properly, but he blew a lot of shit up and people loved him for it. He doesn't try to stretch because he can't and you've never seen him up for an Oscar, have you?"

Kline’s posture had changed, and he was pulling back slightly, "I could be governor! I could be governor of California!"

"You could be anything you want if you play your cards right, but you have to play the cards right. You know, Roland's not going to be around when your credibility dries up after you've made too many forgettable films, because he won't be able to sponge off your spotlight," she said, matter-of-factly. "Market more than your face, Kline. Seriously. Do a thriller or a gritty crime drama. Play against type. You've got the chops. Don't you have any producer friends who might help get you into something edgier?"

Now his mask was slipping, and true discomfort was showing through. He got up to clear the table and start the dishes. "Yeah," he said. "I do.”

She frowned and fingered the napkin on the table, "I'm sorry if I upset you. That wasn't what I was trying to do. It's just that I've followed your career and I've seen what kind of amazing talent you have and it's obvious to me that you've got so much more to offer."

"No, I'm not upset," he shook his head, clearly upset. "That's really flattering. I just don't want to talk about work if you don't mind. I've got two weeks ahead when I don't get to talk about anything but work. Starting tomorrow. Is that all right?"

"Of course," she said, somewhat sheepishly. "Forget I said anything. I have a tendency to engage my mouth before my brain, in case that hasn't been made perfectly clear by now."

"I like both your mouth and your brain," Kline smiled sincerely. "Want to go put them in the hot tub again?"

"Hm, actually, how about a dip in the pool? More room," she said, winking.

"I'll beat you to it!"

They raced out the door and spent the rest of the day much as they had the day before. Kline had an early flight in the morning, though, so he put a stop to all activities before ten and they tucked themselves into bed for the night. He saw Rhiannon off just after five in the morning, sending her out the private, back drive. "I want to see you again. I’ve got a lot of press coming up, so some days I won't be good for much, but I'd love to see you."

“Of course! I want to see you, too.”

“Good,” he said, leaning in to kiss her. “Because I think I’m falling for you.”

Rhiannon drew back to look at him, surprised. He was smiling. “Seriously,” he said. “I think you’re just exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’m glad I found you.”

“Technically, I think Thad pointed me out to you.”

“So, I owe him a finder’s fee.”

That made her laugh, and he kissed her again. Several seconds later, she pulled away. “If I don’t leave now, I might not ever leave.”

“Would that be so bad?”

She growled at him and rolled her shoulders. “You have work and I have work.”

“Then I guess I’ll let you leave. But only if you promise to come back.”

---