“God. I wish I could get out of it. This is the worst part of being famous. Having to be someone’s damned dancing monkey.”
“Dance, monkey, dance,” he said, letting out a chuckle that rattled the walls. “Poor you. Boohoo. It’s so hard being the handsome, rich actor.”
He had always rubbed it in when I complained. “You could go in my place. You are my stunt double, and this would be quite the stunt.” I only wished that were really possible.
“Not on your life. I have to go and represent the stunt department. Besides, I’m already trying to line up a date.”
“Are we supposed to bring dates?” I had not really been seen in the public eye with a real date.
“Yes, and leave Hilda at home.”
“She’s pissed off at me anyway. The dishwasher broke, and I forgot to call and have another one sent.”
“This wouldn’t happen if you hired that hot blonde assistant that I told you about.” He had tried to convince me that I needed to hire her since he couldn’t afford to.
“No, thanks, and I prefer brunettes if hot is a requirement.”
“I know, but I, my friend, prefer blondes.”
I gave him a sideways look. “I always knew you had a thing for me.”
“You wish,” he said with a chuckle.
“I don’t need an assistant. Hell, right now, I don’t even need a housekeeper. Hilda was only supposed to come in and clean once a week, and now it’s up to four days a week.” I had to admit that it was a good thing she was hanging around. I needed someone to take care of my meals, and she was good about doing my laundry. Maybe I was getting a bit spoiled. A big house could be rather lonely.
Austin cracked his knuckles. “Well, I thought about asking a certain leading lady.”
“Tess?” I couldn’t help but laugh when he nodded. “I’m pretty sure you two would never work.”
“Come on. We flirt like teenagers. And we both already have to go. We may as well make the most of it, right?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know.” I knew he was more concerned about what happened after the party. If they slept together, then things could get really awkward.
“I do. Hell, if anything, it could be good for the press. What’s hotter than a Hollywood hookup? Hot blonde actress and the leading man’s stunt double? Women find stuntmen sexy.”
“You could be onto something.” Tess would probably say yes. “Just don’t ruin her focus. It’s bad enough this film has got a lead actor who is only capable of ten percent at the moment.”
“Shit, I’ve got to get going. I wanted to go see if she’d at least talk to me before her shoot.” Austin got to his feet and walked to the door. “You’ll pull it together. You always do.” He had always had more faith in me than most.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Yeah, you’d be lost without me.” He shut the door behind him when he left, and I realized I didn’t have much time before my next take either.
Better make the most of it.
I hurried out of the trailer and walked across the set, looking for Kate. She had been using the round table as her own personal office when it was not in use. I went in there, and there was a meeting happening with Ben and some of the production team.
Ally looked up and spotted me at the door through the small window, and though I tried to wave her back as if it was no big deal, she ran over and opened the door. “Hey, Jake. Did you need to talk to Ben?”
“Actually, no. I was looking for Kate.”
She gave me a strange look. “The last I saw her, she was headed for the lot with her things. Ben pushed her out of here and offered her his own office, but she couldn’t stand the mess.”
“I’ll go see if I can find her, thanks.”
“I have her phone number if you want it.” She said, giving me a sly smile. She took out her phone and pulled the pen from behind her ear to jot it down on a piece of paper. “Take this. And tell her I said hi.”
“Ally!” Ben shouted. “Where did that girl go?”
She hurried back to the meeting, and I rushed off before he could pull me into whatever chaos they had brewing.
I walked out to the back lot, which was full of cars and stage equipment, as well as a few of our backdrops. I glanced around but took out my phone and put her number in instead. The phone rang and rang, and she didn’t answer. “Dammit.”
I decided to give up, and when I turned around, I spotted the stunt car just feet away and a loose paper on the ground by the door. Inside, Kate was busy typing away, her head down, her eyes focused. She didn’t see me pick up the loose leaf of paper and was startled when I tapped on the window.