Page 7 of Where is Amber? (Before Us)

“Then, how can he say that?”

“He can say whatever the fuck he wants. He’s Marcus Rothman.”

“So prove him wrong.”

Noah reached for me, hands tightening around my hips before he swept me toward him, my legs straddling his as the bubbles surrounded us. I cupped his face in my hands and studied him, watching his eyes brighten as he considered me.

“You’re serious,” he said.

I nodded.

“How would I do that? How could I prove my acting ability to the master of action when he won’t let me even attempt a screen test?”

“Find a similar role that isn’t his, and then show him what you can do.”

“Easier said than done. Do you think anyone in the same genre will give me a shot when the man they aspire to be makes it clear he isn’t interested?”

“I’d think they’d be more interested in getting asses in seats. Who is a bigger draw than you at the moment?”

Noah brushed my jaw with his knuckles, affection clear in his blue eyes. “It doesn’t work that way.”

“Then they’re stupid.”

“An argument for the ages,” he scoffed, deadpan. “So, you think I could do it?”

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s a ridiculous question.”

“You’re in love with me. You’re biased.”

“Honestly, being in love with you, if I didn’t think you were capable, I would tell you. The last thing I’d want is for you to go out there and make an ass of yourself. You have enough yes assholes in your life without adding another.”

“When you sayyes assholes,you mean my team?”

I smirked my agreement.

“Okay, then what do you suggest?” he asked, leaning forward and resting his forehead against mine.

“Bo said you’re considering executive producing a movie to get cast.”

“I wouldn’t say I was considering.” He huffed out a laugh, his thumb brushing along my earlobe. “I said it in the heat of the moment after I’d read the third non-descript romance manuscript. I was feeling frustrated.”

“But you also said it could be feasible.”

“If I broke one of the cardinal rules and invested my own money.”

“So, it would be a gamble.”

“I could lose everything.”

“What about if you got an investor?”

“That’s a lot of money to risk for anyone. Why do you think some of these movies have three or more production companies involved?”

I wasn’t sure why I was encouraging this as much as I was. Maybe I hated seeing Noah so dejected over the whole thing when we both believed he was more than capable of pulling off a role like this. The financial aspect of it was a risk if he did decide to take this on and chose the wrong director or crew to be in the movie with him, but the thought of him thinking he was incapable felt like a crime. Noah was talented, and he was more than capable of taking on this new persona of serious action actor.

“It’s just something to think about,” I finally said, realizing he’d reached his limit. We could go back and forth like this all day.

“I’m honored that you think I’m capable, Elmer. I just don’t know how to begin pulling something like that off.”

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