Page 33 of Breaking Free

“To be what?” Josie prompted.

“She called him a horn dog and a lot worse.”

Like Cindy had, Josie took a moment to process the woman’s allegations. “That doesn’t sound like Hunter. But he’s my uncle, and we don’t have the kind of relationship where we talk about that. I can say that while I’ve been staying with him, I’ve never had an awkward encounter with a woman he’s had over, and hedoesn’t have a revolving door to his bedroom. I’d have been out of here a long time ago if he did. Besides, I doubt if he’d risk his career, which is just taking off, or the reputation he’s building, by behaving inappropriately.”

“Why would she say something like that if it wasn’t true?”

“You hear about backbiting in Hollywood. Maybe she wanted the part you’re up for. Or maybe this woman is an ex or has a personal vendetta against him.”

Although she needed to decide based on her own feelings and experiences, Josie and Cindy, having almost identical opinions of Hunter, one professional and the other personal, eased some of her worries.

“What was her name?” Josie asked.

“She didn’t offer it, and I didn’t ask. After she threw out the C-word and called him a C-hunter, I was ready to get out of there.”

“I bet,” she muttered. “Who does that at work, and with a stranger?”

“Right?” Piper agreed.

The entire episode, from the apathetic casting director to Hunter directing the series to the vicious name-calling receptionist, left her cold. Things like that didn’t happen where she came from.

Piper took a deep breath and thanked Josie for her insight. “Please, don’t mention this to Hunter or anyone,” she urged. “I’d hate to cause problems if this woman is just a bitter ex or a disgruntled failed actress.”

“I won’t say a word, but if there’s someone at work spreading rumors that could affect his career, he should know, don’t you think?”

“You’re right, of course.” That would be an awkward conversation, one she dreaded.

As she navigated the busy streets toward home, she weighed the evidence and made a decision. She wouldn’t let rumors and gossip dictate her actions. She would give Hunter the benefit of the doubt but take precautions, including no private lunches with the boss. He was giving her an opportunity, and she owed it to herself to see where it could lead.

If the ugly stories turned out to be accurate, like the bitch at the reception desk said, she had enough self-respect to say no and walk away. She just hoped it didn’t come to that.

There was another pressing issue though. Two nude scenes. Could she bare all to a camera and the world? Worse, to her family, friends, and her father’s church congregation back in Iowa?

“Holy crud on a cracker,” she muttered to her windshield. “Who would’ve thought mortgage signings in a suit in a stuffy office would suddenly be so appealing?”

Chapter 10

PIPER PACED THE FLOORin front of her bed, the weight of the script in her hand feeling heavier by the minute. As soon as it arrived, she’d pored over it, paying particular attention to the steamy scenes and the stage directions, including wardrobe—or lack thereof. Panic had set in with the realization of what was expected of her in this role.

A lot of actresses started out doing nude scenes. Did they regret it later on? Some put their foot down and still made it big. The thought of stripping to almost nothing in front of the cast and crew and potentially 282 million Netflix subscribers worldwide had her stomach churning.

She needed to talk it through with someone. It was late, but she dialed Josie. “I don’t think I can go through with it,” she confessed, no greeting or pleasantries first when she picked up.

“The Decadence mixer?” she asked, sounding confused.

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