Winning Moves (Stepping Up 3)

“Oh, God, Jason, tell me they didn’t actually call you that?”

“Might as well have,” he said, “but in the end, surprise surprise, they’re pleased to report that website hits for the Stepping Up site tripled last night. Free advertising at our expense. Which reminds me, we need to get your parents on a vacation and out of town before the bloodhounds find them.”

Kat nodded. She wasn’t eager for them to take off when she’d only just arrived, but she’d already figured out how much traveling meant to her mother. “I think that’s a good idea.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. I bought them tickets to visit my parents in Thailand this morning but I didn’t want to send them over until you gave me the okay. I didn’t think they’d take the gift if it wasn’t framed as a job. Not with the pride thing your dad has going on right now.”

Her lips parted with her surprise. “Jason, you didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I did. I made public the one time in your father’s life he ever had a meltdown. I got together with my investment guy as well and he’ll meet with them tomorrow, before they head to the airport.”

Kat blinked at him, speechless for a moment. Without her father’s craziness in that casino, Jason would never had ended up in the news, but he didn’t blame her father. He blamed himself. “Fame hasn’t changed you. I don’t know why, but it hasn’t.”

“I’m still the same guy who can’t stand this close to you without wanting to kiss you.”

Her knees felt weak again. He had a way of doing that to her. “And I’m apparently the same ol’ Kat who likes that about you.” Her lips curved. “Except, of course, when I’m trying to resist you.”

“And are you?” he asked. “Trying to resist me?”

“If I knew what was good for both of us, I would be,” she said. “But no. I’m not. Whatever is going to be, is going to be.”

The door burst open from the stage area and voices filled the hallway as the dancers rushed forward. Ellie had clearly called for a lunch break.

“Let’s make a run for lunch before some other crisis stops us.” He motioned toward the direction Carrie and her man had headed out.

“I’m all for that,” Kat said, rushing down the hall with him.

They were in the hotel and almost at the diner when they heard Ellie calling after them. “Kat! Jason! Wait. Wait. I need you two.”

“So close to escaping,” Jason whispered.

Kat laughed and turned with him to greet Ellie. “What’s going on?”

Ellie jerked to a halt in front of them. “That tabloid website ‘Truth’ just posted a story about the two of you being married. The minute we broke for lunch and the cast and crew cranked up their smartphones, the news was out. We have to figure out what to say about it.”

Jason glanced at Kat. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. I say we go eat. I need to talk to both of you about a nightclub promotion the hotel wants us to do anyway.”

“I’m all for lunch,” Kat agreed. “How about you, Ellie?”

Ellie gaped at them. “That’s it? You two want to eat lunch? Aren’t you worried about this?”

Jason shrugged. “The studio knows we’re exes. It’s not a secret. And it’s certainly not taboo. You married one of our producers. Darla married the host of Stepping Up.”

“So, do nothing?” Ellie asked, looking distressed by that idea.

“Besides tell anyone who asks that it’s true and to focus on a rapidly approaching opening night?” Jason said. “Yes. Nothing. This only has the wings we give it.”

Ellie’s gaze flickered between them. “You’re positive?”

Kat glanced at Jason, who gave a firm, “Yes. Positive.”

Kat couldn’t help but hope he was right.

12

SEVERAL HOURS LATER, Jason was finally through with the studio heads and media damage control, and could get to work on his real job of directing. He sauntered into the theater and headed to the front row seating where a table was set up for staff. Kat and Ellie stood center stage, talking with the script manager, while dancers prepared to work through the opening scene of the show. Seeing Kat up there, doing what she loved, back in his life, felt right like nothing else had in a very long time.

He settled into the chair on the end of the row, next to his assistant director Ronnie Wilks, a young film school graduate that was quickly building an impressive resume.

“How’s it going, Bossman?” Ronnie asked, turning his Texas Longhorns hat backward and running his hand down his jeans-clad leg.

“As fine as any day in the tabloids can go,” Jason replied dryly.

“That’s what you get for being famous,” Ronnie joked.

Only it wasn’t a joke to Jason. It was reality, and one he was ready to leave behind. “Let’s make this show the star,” Jason commented. “Not me.” He motioned to the computer on the desk. “Do we have the schedule drafted for tomorrow? We need to be fully blocked and on to polishing by next week.”