I shut the door behind me and rested my back on the cold hard wall next to it. I closed my eyes and tried to block out the racing thud of my heart.
“That didn’t take long.” A female voice sounded out. I snapped my eyes open and frowned at the sight of Erin, who stood opposite me. She was grinning, her eyes dancing in the fluorescent light of the corridor.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well I’d have thought that even a quickie with Alex would have taken a bit longer than the few minutes you were in there.” She pointed her finger at the door behind me.
“No! Oh, my God, No! I haven’t just . . .”
“Really?” Erin exclaimed. “The look he gave you when you walked in, I would have thought it was a dead certainty that he’d have had you spread out on the table in front of him.”
Heat flooded my face. The thought had never crossed my mind—well, not today.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Well, I’ve known Alex for six years and I’ve not seen him with that look on his face since . . . well, since things went wrong with his last girlfriend.”
“Amy?” I queried.
She nodded. “So, not even a blow job?”
“No!” I shrieked. “What kind of girl do you think I am?”
Erin covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hide a snigger. “I’m sorry. But after what he told me about last night, I just presumed that there was a bit more going on between you two.”
“What do you mean? What did he tell you about last night?” As far as I was concerned there was nothing to tell.
“That he was going to offer you a lift when he saw you at the bus-stop.”
“He was?”
“Yeah. He said he’d never seen such a pathetic sight, but as he pulled up closer, he’d seen that there was nothing pathetic about you. I think he mentioned bright pink underwear.” She giggled.
“Hot pink,” I said, repeating what Alex had said last night. I was stunned that he had discussed me with Erin.
“Yeah, whatever. But he was explaining how wet you were and how adorable you looked, even though your lacy pants were claiming his attention.”
“He said they were lacy?” Shit, he must have really got an eyeful.
“Yeah, he was ready to offer you a lift, but realised you were completely drenched. He’d just had his car valeted and the seat covers replaced after his mishap the other week. He didn’t want you ruining his new covers.”
“He saw that I missed my bus,” I told her, hoping that she’d see how nasty an action it had been to leave me there.
“Yeah, he told me that as well. You’ve got to laugh, Ella. It is quite funny. That’s what we were laughing at when you walked in.”
I glared at her before storming off. I was annoyed that my situation had become a joke between them when I didn’t see anything funny about it. But I suddenly realised that she had called me Ella. I spun around just before I entered the studio.
“Erin!” I called back down the corridor. “I didn’t get the chance to meet you yesterday. How do you know my name?”
She frowned before answering. “It’s what Alex called you when telling me about last night. Why? Has he got it wrong?”
I shook my head. “No, it seems he’s got that just right.”
The man was unbelievable. He insisted on calling me Work Experience Girl, but used my name when talking about me to everyone else. And what had Erin been on about? She said that Alex had been looking at me a certain way, and that she was sure more than a chat would have happened when she’d left us alone in his dressing room. That was even more unbelievable. I was a penniless, struggling student. He was a super-rich film star. He’d never be interested in anyone like me, not when he could have his pick of famous and attractive women. I swore silently to myself, annoyed that I was letting him bother me. He had proved quite consistently all day yesterday that he didn’t like me. All this talk from Erin was misplaced and wrong. I refused to get my hopes up even one tiny little bit. But, the fangirl was still blazing within me. Part of me wanted to hate him, part of me wanted to help him, and part of me, a very small part, still fancied him like crazy.
I pushed the studio doors open, reminding myself that Alex Denton was an ass, and he wasn’t particularly nice either. Whatever I thought, however much I craved for the nice side of him to come to the surface, I would never get involved with him.
“Ahhh, Ella.” Rowan sidled up to my side, speaking quietly. “I see you survived your talk with Alex. Everything okay?”
“Fine,” I replied through gritted teeth. I sank into my chair, furrowing my brow and rubbing my forehead with my fingers.
“You sure you’re okay?” Rowan persisted. “It’s just that you seem a bit on edge.”
I took a deep breath and turned to face him. “I told you I was fine. I’m just ratty because I didn’t sleep very well last night.”
“I’m not surprised after yesterday. It was a big day for you. Lots to take in.”
I nodded my agreement, but inwardly knew that it was my dreams of Alex that had caused my restless night.
“I meant to ask,” Rowan said. “But . . . well, I’m not sure how.”
I frowned. “Ask what?”
“I wondered if you’d let me take you out for a meal sometime.”
“Me?” I couldn’t believe it. I had only just been thinking about trying not to fancy Alex and now the renowned producer, Rowan Busby, was asking me out. “Like in a date?”
“Yeah, why? Does that sound strange?”
“No, no. Not strange.” I willed myself to think quickly. I had no interest in Rowan. He wasn’t my type. “I just . . . well I don’t really have time to date. What with studying and all this.” I waved my hand around in the air to demonstrate my commitment to the work experience I was on. My hand was still raised in the air, pointing in the direction of the studio doors when they swung open and Alex appeared. He frowned in mine and Rowan’s direction before prowling over to us. Once again, I was unable to tear my eyes away from him.
Why did I get the feeling that he wasn’t happy about something?
“Ella, a word please!” he demanded, inclining his head to the corner of the room. He waited for me to stand up and follow his instruction, but I was rooted to the spot. He’d used my name, not Work Experience Girl.
Maybe there was some hope after all, but I stayed in my chair. I didn’t want him to think that he could just order me around like he did everyone else.
“Please?” he said, drawing out the word.
I narrowed my eyes before slowly standing. “What do you want?” I asked as I moved toward him.
“Not here,” he whispered. “Over there, away from everyone.” The warmth of his hand rested on the small of my back as he urged me to move across the room. My mouth was suddenly dry, and my skin alight where he touched me. And I could smell him. His cologne wrapped around my senses as I breathed deeply. I had only ever dreamed about being this close to him.
He stopped our walk when we reached the corner of the room. Bending his head to my ear, he whispered. “I don’t want everyone listening.”
He was so, so close, and to have the heat of the full length of his body next to mine was causing me to overheat in a most ridiculous way. I fought how I was reacting, willing myself to calm. I didn’t want him to see how he affected me.
He took a step backward, and scanned the room with narrowed eyes. One of the sound engineers happened to be looking in our direction.
“What are you looking at buddy? Get back to work, or I’ll make sure you never work on a film of mine again!”
I tutted at his outburst, and crossed my arms in front of my chest. “He probably won’t want to ever work with you again after all this anyway,” I informed him. “I know I’d pay money to not see you again when filming finishes.”
His bright eyes turned to me, flashing wildly as he observed my protective stance. His hands travelled to his hair and rubbed the back of his head before looking directly into my eyes. “I wanted to apologise.” His voice was quiet, unsure.
“What?” I exclaimed, completely surprised.
“Shhh . . .” He moved closer again. “I don’t want everybody to hear.”
“But . . . but you just apologised.”
“Exactly. Believe me, I don’t make a habit out of it.”
I managed a smile at his admittance. “No, I don’t suppose you do. But what exactly are you apologising for?” I was curious as to what had sparked his words.
“Well, last night for starters. I shouldn’t have left you there like I did. It wasn’t nice.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“Hmmm . . . as I said, sorry.” He paused, frowning even more. “I also want to apologise for the way I’ve been speaking to you.”
I breathed deeply, wondering where this Alex Denton was coming from. I contemplated whether he was playing with me, and any second now he would revert to how he had been yesterday. But as I concentrated on his serious face, there was no sign of the precocious and arrogant man I had witnessed yesterday. I now saw the Alex Denton that I’d seen in interviews; the man who I had believed in before all this.
“Okay. I accept your apology.” I hoped that he wouldn’t make me regret it.
“Good. Thank you.” His lips curled into a smile.
“But that doesn’t mean you can start being nasty again,” I said, closely watching his reaction.
He swallowed, his jaw flexing tightly. “Agreed,” he said seriously. “Well, I’ll try.” His smugness returned as he smirked. His eyes fixed on mine, and for a split-second I caught an intensity in his gaze that was un-nerving. It was a burning look, one that caused a lightness in my chest, and made my heart beat incredibly fast.
It was the look that Erin had mentioned earlier.
“Ella!” Rowan called from across the studio. I turned in his direction.
“Seems Mr Crisp Muncher wants you.” Alex grinned as his eyes followed mine toward Rowan.
I couldn’t help but laugh at Alex’s nickname for him. “Crisp Muncher?”
“Yeah. You’ve seen how many packets of crisps he eats. Just don’t let him munch on anything of yours.”
I dipped my head and stared at the floor. I fiddled with the sleeves of my cardigan as I recognised the heat of a flush creeping across my cheeks.
“Oh fuck. He’s already made a move on you, hasn’t he?” Alex said.
“I . . . he asked me out just a few minutes ago, before you came in,” I admitted.
“What did you say? Don’t tell me you agreed.” His voice had risen in pitch.
“I turned him down. I’m too busy with college. By the time I get home in an evening I don’t fancy doing anything other than curling up with a book and a bottle of wine.”
“A bottle of wine? Do you have a drink problem, Ella?” He raised his eyebrow, and the humour in his expression caught me off-guard. Was Alex Denton flirting with me? Seriously?
“Ella!” Rowan shouted, this time I noted the more than slight agitation in his voice.
“I need to go” I said. “Sorry.”
Alex nodded, but reached for my arm. His fingers wrapped around my wrist. “Ella, if he pesters you, let me know. I’ll have a word with him.”
“There’s no need,” I replied.
I was puzzled as to where all his concern was coming from. This wasn’t how I had expected him to behave after yesterday’s display. This Alex Denton was the one I had fantasied over for years.
“Even so, please tell me if he becomes overbearing. Oh, and I’ll give you a lift home tonight. It’s not a problem. And it’ll stop him forcing you to accept a lift with him. Just tell him you’re with me if he starts asking questions.”
“What? What do you mean—with you?” It sounded strange, probably because I’d zoned out of the conversation and lost myself in my fantasies.
“For the drive home,” he said. “I feel it’s the least I can do after my behaviour yesterday.”
I forced myself to focus. “Okay. That would be . . . errr, very kind.”
He nodded at Rowan. “Run along then Ella. Don’t keep Crisp Muncher waiting.”
I chuckled quietly at the use of Rowan’s nickname.
“Thank you,” I said.
In the last few minutes, Alex had renewed my faith in him. Seeing him like this had also strengthened my belief that it was Amy who caused him to be the vile human he had been yesterday.
I ambled across the room toward Rowan just as Amy burst through the studio doors. Turning back to look at Alex, I caught the change in him. His back was straight and his mouth already set in a mocking sneer. He was scowling, looking just like he had yesterday.
I was so busy contemplating the changed appearance of Alex that I didn’t look where I was going.
I crashed straight into Amy.
Her loud shriek pierced the quietness of the studio as she fell to the floor.
“You stupid cow!” she screamed.
“I’m so sorry,” I said as I bent down and offered her my hand.
“Sorry?” she hissed. “You will be. If I’ve broken anything you can kiss goodbye any career you ever wanted in films!”
I wanted to run from the room, free myself from the staring eyes of all the people. Not only did my face heat, but my neck and ears burnt impossibly hot. I swallowed quickly, trying to fight through my embarrassment and upset, and reached for her elbow, ready to help her to her feet. “Please, let me help,”
“Get your grubby, slutty hands off me!” she yelled.
I froze.
My upset halted its march upon my senses.
That was twice, in less than twenty-four hours, that I had been referred to as slutty. My anger at the way I was being spoken to pushed ahead of the tears that had fallen. I jerked my hand away from her.
My upset was replaced by anger.
Slutty.
Me?
When she behaved as she did?
She remained on the floor, clutching at her knee, and staring at me in disbelief. But all I saw was Amy’s nasty side. A side she never, ever, let the public see. And what had she just called me?
“Grubby, slutty hands?” I growled at her. “Slutty hands?”
“Ella.” Alex’s soft voice caressed my ear. His hand rested on my shoulder.
“No!” I snapped. “How dare she call me slutty? Her of all people? When she behaved how she did? When she did what she did to you? How dare she?” My anger pushed through me at an alarming rate. Even though she was still on the floor, I wanted to step forward and slap her face.
Amy’s wide eyes caught my own before she glared at Alex.
“You told her?”
“I never said a word. But I’m beginning to wish I had. I quite like seeing Ella fired up.”
Alex’s hand still held my shoulder, but now I was aware of the comforting way his thumb was moving in small circular movements.
“You . . . you promised you’d never say anything.” Amy’s words were angry, but I also detected a real sense of fear in her tone.
“I haven’t. I have no idea how Ella knows. Perhaps Simon has blabbed about everything. He never could keep his fucking mouth shut,” Alex snapped.
“He would never say anything,” she retorted angrily.
“Hmm, I guess you’re right. You two have your reasons for keeping it all quiet, don’t you? Doesn’t do your public image any good to know the truth, does it? Whereas mine. Holy shit. Yeah, I’m fair game for all the mud-slinging that comes my way!”
“It’s because you’re an ass. I hate the day I ever met you!”
The room fell silent, even Alex didn’t reply. But his thumb pressed even harder into my shoulder.
“Now,” Amy said. “Are you going to help me up?”
Alex gave his reply, loud and clear. “No way, Amy. You pick your fucking self up. I’m taking Ella away from your madness. Give her some time to compose herself.” His arm tightened on my shoulder as he whispered. “Let’s get you away from all these watching eyes. We need to talk.”
I nodded. A sudden coldness hit me and I began to shake.
What had I done?
“C’mon,” he said, guiding me to the studio doors.
My tears took a hold again. I had knocked a film star to the ground, and she was currently threatening to ruin my dream of working in film production. But more to the point, Alex Denton currently had his arm around me, and was hugging me to his side.
Was this real?
Was this actually happening?