Page 178 of My Five Daddies

“Not that I know of. Just go and enjoy a free meal on theirdime.”

I sigh. “Fine.”

“Have fun. Be charming!” He hangs the phone up before I can tell him that I’m always fuckingcharming.

I’m still in a good damn mood as I shower up and get changed. I’m in the back of the car exactly an hour later, still smiling to myself and still reliving that kiss over and over in mymind.

The car takes me up into the hills, and the houses get bigger and bigger. Eventually it stops outside this fucking huge mansion, which I assume is the producer’s place. I don’t know much about him, although I know he’s filthy rich and named Harold. I’m sure I was told more, but I don’t really pay attention sometimes when Mickey goes on and on about the importantpeople.

I ring the bell and a man wearing a waiter’s outfit opens the door. He leads me in through this huge entrance hall, complete with a chandelier that probably costs as much as my car, and out through theback.

The porch is large and mostly open, with a beautiful view of a deep, gorgeous in-ground pool and the sprawling LA cityscape spread out below. The sun is setting slowly as I step over toward the table and size up what I’m dealingwith.

Sitting at the head of the table is Harold. I vaguely recognize him from the first table reading. He stands up and grins at me. He’s balding, with a hawkish nose and deep-seated blue eyes. He’s shorter than I am, though most peopleare.

Next to him is a guy I don’t know. He’s shorter than Harold, with thick dark hair and a dour expression on hisface.

And sitting across from him is HollyHart.

“Jackson!” Harold says, coming over to me. “Great of you to come, I’m reallyglad.”

“Yeah, of course,” I say, shaking hishand.

“This is Franklin, an executive from the studio.” The other guy nods at me and I nod back. “And of course, you knowHolly.”

“Evening, stranger,” Holly says, smiling atme.

I smile back. “Evening,lady.”

“Come on, sit down. Food’s ready if you’rehungry.”

I take my seat at the other end of the table and a waiter appears with a tray of food. I take a little surf and turf type deal, with a lobster tail and a nice cut of steak. He also hands me a glass of whisky. Obviously they did their homework aboutme.

“You know, Jackson, the studio thinks this movie could be huge,” the executive says as I dig into my steak. I’m fuckingstarving.

“I bet,” I say to him. “We’re killing it. All thanks toHolly.”

“No, we hear it’s all thanks to you,” Harold saysquickly.

I glance over at Holly and she frowns but saysnothing.

“Really, Jackson, I saw a daily. Those action scenes? How do you do it?” Haroldasks.

“I just picture the Taliban and go from there.” I grin at him a little bit. SEAL shit like that usually goes overwell.

Both men laugh and Holly just gives me a polite smile. She’s not buying my bullshit, which is fine byme.

“Seriously, it’s all the training and the stunt guys. I just do what I’m told,” I continue, sipping mydrink.

“Well, whatever it is, keep doing it,” Haroldsays.

The others start eating and I notice that Holly looks a little nervous. I don’t know why, but she’s not looking at me. Things have been weird since I rejected her, but I don’t think that’s thereason.

“Tell me, Jackson, how’s that director working out?” Franklin the studio guy asksme.

I shrug a little bit. “He’s fine. A little weird. But he knows what he’sdoing.”

“We’ve heard stories,” Franklin says. “Are you sure you’re comfortable withhim?”

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