The Scene Stealer: A Hollywood Romance

“Hey, Larsen?” She spins on her heels at my question, arching her brow in reply. “It means a lot that you came to apologize. Most people don’t have the courage to do that.”

I don’t expect any reply, so when she doesn’t give one, I’m not disappointed. But a small grin does grace the fine lines of her mouth as she leaves me alone with my thoughts and heavy dick.

Guess I’ll need to take care of that before I head toward the diner.

I show up at the main hub of Shady Pines about an hour later. Trying to rid my mind of thoughts of Larsen, my cock, and any combo of all of the above takes a lot longer than I anticipated. But finally I was able to focus on my upcoming script and the read through I have scheduled.

Arriving here in this town seems like forever ago, not just a couple days.

“Hey,” I say to Joanne as I walk through the front door and watch her juggle a pitcher of water and several glasses on a tray like an old pro.

“Hey,” she calls out, passing me by without a second glance.

As I focus around the large room, I notice that no one is looking in my direction, a complete contrast to the salacious gazes I received yesterday. One sweep of the room and I have to do a double take when I notice the woman with the long curly hair sitting alone at the counter. Dressed as if she came from a high-end business meeting, she’s clad in designer duds, no department store finds for this one.

Her head is twisted to the side and I realize that her gaze is pinned on the beautiful woman standing in the kitchen hiding away from the world again.

Knowing I have no choice, I slip onto the stool beside my cousin and pull my face into her line of sight, blocking her view of Larsen.

“Hey, Tessa.”

Her appearance here should shock me, but it doesn’t. I’m more surprised that it’s taken her this long to track me down. Not only can she trace me with her phone, but her father has complete control over my financials, so he can see where I’m making purchases.

“Devyn, good of you to finally join me.”

“Finally?” I ask.

“Ah, yes. I’ve been waiting here for about an hour.” She’s been here since Larsen arrived.

My mute friend steps up to the counter and sets a steaming cup of coffee in front of me before retreating back into the kitchen. My eyes follow her every movement, I can’t stop them even if I wanted to. I’m pulled to her by some invisible magnetic force that I can’t describe.

“Well, that explains things.”

Tessa’s claim pulls my attention back to her and I twist on the stool to face my cousin. “What does?”

“That there is a girl involved.”

“Tessa,” I growl defensively. Larsen is nothing like the women with whom I usually associate. She’s different than all of them.

“Don’t worry. I actually like this one.”

Skeptically I raise an eyebrow at my cousin, she dislikes everyone. I silently beg her to explain more.

“Well, it’s obvious, despite the fact that she’s beautiful, she has been nothing but kind since I came in and asked for you. And when I showed her the social media posts of you and her in this place yesterday, she seemed scared out of her wits. I actually watched her turn this horrible shade of gray. Plus, I figure that she isn’t some bimbo using you to increase their social status.”

“I know she’s not a bimbo. She’s studying to be a nurse.”

“Admirable profession.”

I grunt as I take a sip of my coffee, turning around to watch Larsen take a few orders from some older men that take a seat at the counter.

“She could be good for you and your image.”

I don’t want to talk with Tessa about whatever relationship I am having with Larsen at the moment. The woman doesn’t even have a cell phone, nor does she want one. I’m not even sure how we’d stay in touch since I don’t go anywhere near an email address or social media messenger, I leave those to Tessa. All she has is that ancient landline without an answering machine.

Chugging back the rest of my coffee I turn to my assistant with a fear spiking me right in the chest. The blade sharp and deadly as it wedges between my bones and muscles. “Tessa, why are you here?”

“There is a production meeting Quinn wants you to attend. That means I need you in Chicago.”