HOLY SHIT. THAT WAS INTENSE. I actually felt like it was me for a minute. How incredible to see how much he wants me from that perspective. I sit at my desk and bury my head in my arms. I wonder what happens now. Dinner and sex every night until he leaves? That wouldn’t be the worst way to spend my free time.
“Hey you.”
I look up to see Melissa.
“Hey. How’s it going out there?”
“It was fun.”Grinning, she sits down. “That scene just a few minutes ago, wow. I think we should call him Mr. Holly…whoa.”
I laugh. “You’re silly.”
“It was so hot. Don’t you wish you could’ve been Yasmin for just a few minutes?”
“It’s just acting.”
“I know, but damn. What a scene.” I just smile knowing I was his inspiration. “We’re heading over to The Pub for lunch. Want to come?”
Another chance to be around him again. “Uh, I guess. You’ll hound me if I don’t go.”
She laughs. “You’re learning.”
I stand, and we walk to the front together. The cast and crew are filing out. Yasmin and Antonio are already outside. A safe distance is good.
When we get inside the restaurant, we sit at our usual table, but to my surprise, Yasmin walks over.
“Mind if we sit here?”
Antonio stands behind her looking pale.
“Sure,” I say. They sit down, Antonio next to me and Yasmin across the table.
“It’s a nice, warm day,” she observes.
“Yeah,” Melissa agrees. “It’s usually not this warm in February.”
“Lucky us. Coming from Cali, I am freezing all the time.”
“It probably won’t stay this warm,” I add. “We’re due for more snow.”
“Well, maybe I’ll find a way to keep warm, right Antonio?” She smiles, and he frowns in response.
“Whatever, Yas,” he says, as he sticks a French fry in his mouth.
“Oh, but you wouldn’t have time for me since you found someone else to spend your time with.”
I do my best not to react. It’s exactly what she wants.
“You know Antonio is such a ladies’ man,” she continues.
“Shut up, Yasmin,” he says.
“What was her name? Or do you even remember?” She laughs. “I’m surprised you didn’t find one of these lovely ladies in town appealing enough.” She taps my hand. “Apparently, there are some nice choices in the town next door. Isn’t that right, Tone?”
I immediately relax when I realize she’s not onto us.
“I don’t mean to be rude,” I say, “but none of us are really interested in hearing about this stuff. It’s none of our business.”
“Isn’t it?” she asks.
I pull my head back. “What are you trying to say?”
“You know.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Hey,” Antonio says. “Let’s talk about something more pleasant.”
“Like?” I ask.
“Movies!” Melissa offers.
I roll my eyes and pick at my salad. I fucking hate Yasmin.
“Sure,” Antonio says. “What’s your favorite, Melissa?”
“The Love Man. I just adore it.”
He chuckles. “You flatter me.”
“No, seriously it was so good.”
“Thank you.”
“What’s it about?” I ask.
“Antonio plays a human form of Cupid,” Melissa explains. “He runs around helping people find their soul mate. He struggles when he realizes that he’s found his, but she thinks she’s in love with someone else. He can help her by shooting her love interest with his arrow, but he can’t get himself to do it. He can shoot her with is arrow and she’ll fall in love with him, but if he does, he loses his powers and soul mates around the world may never find each other again. He has to decide between his own happiness and everyone else’s.”
“That sounds cute,” I say. “And kind of sad.”
“It has a happy ending.”
“What happens?”
“Maybe you should watch it for yourself,” Antonio says, smiling.
“I guess I could.”
“What about you, Yasmin?” Melissa asks. “What’s your favorite?”
“Oh, that’s easy. Anything by my idol, Isabella Catania.”
I freeze. No fucking way.
“I’m sorry,” Melissa continues. “I don’t know who that is.”
“She was famous in the 80’s and into the early 90’s. I adored her. She was so beautiful and graceful. When I was just a small girl, I watched one of her movies, and I instantly fell in love. You should check out some of her movies.”
“Cool. Is she still acting?”
“No, she’s dead,” Yasmin continues. “She killed herself and her husband in a jealous rage.”
“Really?” Melissa says.
“Yep. I guess he was supposedly having an affair with his younger costar, and she flipped her shit.”
“Wow.”
I say nothing, still trying to comprehend that this discussion is happening.
“They had a daughter,” Yasmin continues. “No one knows what happened to her.”
“What do you mean?” Melissa asks.
“She disappeared. Everyone assumed someone in the family shipped her off somewhere. Right after it happened, the paparazzi were relentless, following her everywhere she went.”
“How old was she?” Melissa asks.
“Fifteen, I think.”
Sixteen. My head is spinning, and I feel sick. I just have to play it cool. I can’t let anyone see me react.
“Do you know her movies?” Yasmin asks me.
“I don’t watch movies.”
“Oh. Weird.”
“It’s not weird.” I stand up suddenly. “I need to make a call. Sorry to run out.”
“Are you okay?” Antonio asks, but his voice sounds so far away.
“Yeah, of course.”
“You look pale all of a sudden,” Melissa notes.
“Yes, dear,” Yasmin says, with fake concern. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I push in my chair. “I’m fine, everyone. I just forgot about an order I have to place.”
I rush out of the restaurant and walk home. This is a dream. A very bad dream. I get inside my house and lean against the door. I have to calm down before I hyperventilate. A knock at the door a few minutes later startles me.
“Giovanna?” Antonio calls out. “Are you there?”
“Go away.”
“Just let me see that you’re okay.”
I stare at the door. I can’t tell him. I can’t tell anyone. I take a deep breath and wipe my face. Opening the door, I block him from entering.
“Why did you follow me?”
“Because you were acting weird and you went in the opposite direction of the store.”
“So.”
“So, I care about you.”
“I appreciate that, but I just stopped by to, uh…” I look around. “Grab my scarf. It’s getting a little cold outside.”
“I don’t believe a word you’re saying. Yasmin upset you somehow.”
“Yasmin is a bitch.”
“Yes, she is. What did she say?”
“Nothing. It was just the whole vibe. I know she’s trying to make me jealous, and I guess it just pissed me off.”
“I’m sorry. She’s a pain in my ass. She’s the jealous one. I think she’s picking up on the fact that I’m interested in you.”
I drop my shoulders and sigh. “I’m sorry I caused you to worry. I just needed some space.”
“No problem.” He leans against the door frame. “Can I come in?”
“Uh, no.”
“No?”
“People?”
“Oh, right.”
He stares at me with a smirk on his face.
“What?”
“You’re gorgeous, you know that?”
“You’re relentless.”
“I know. Have dinner with me?”
“Not tonight. I just need some alone time. Last night was a lot for me.”
“Okay. I’ll ask again tomorrow.”
“I’m positive you will.”
“See you later, Beautiful.
“See you later, Movie Star.”
He walks off, and I close the door. I wish I could enjoy his attention. I wish he wasn’t connected to the one thing that has ruined my life and every relationship in it. Absolutely no good can come from hanging around with Antonio Russo. But dammit, why do I want to so much?