Page 92 of The Best Wrong Move

I hold my breath, waiting for another gut punch to fly in.

“I’ve been watching you all night. But, Olivia, you do look like you’re telling the truth about how you feel regarding Dom.”

“Of course I’m telling the truth. How could you think I was using him? He’s — he’s everything.”

“Frankly, it wouldn’t have been the first time someone tried to use people who are close to me in order to get to me. It happens to my brother, my wife — hell, it even happens to my housekeeper, my dog walker . . .”

“Well, that’s not me. I can see how someone might do that. I mean, you’re Quinton Rockwell for God’s sake. And your wife is Selma Hatfield. You two are . . . well, you’re legends in Hollywood. But that’s not who I am. I wouldn’t use Dom to get to his famous family. He’s incredible all on his own.”

“The thing is, when you’relegends, as you put it” — he cringes, seemingly more human than he was only a moment ago — and a lot more sober — “or you’re filthy richandrelated tolegendslike my brother is, it’s hard to tell who’s genuine. Who truly cares for you. And who’s just looking for a handout.”

I sigh. “I think Dom knows I’m genuine.”

Is he for real?It makes me feel cheap. Like he thinks I’d sleep with his brother just to get a dinner meeting about a film script. I can see his point, but I’m not Taryn. That’s just not who I am. “I really like Dom. I fell for him long before I found out who he was. And certainly before I knew who his brother was.”

“I can tell Dom likes you too.” He sits back again and smiles up at the sky. “You know, he rarely even tells people we’re related.”

He looks more relaxed now. Quinton’s entire demeanor seems to have changed since I finished my pitch with him. He doesn’t even appear to be drunk anymore. His latest glass of whiskey has hardly been touched, and he’s laid off the creepy vibe too, thank goodness. I don’t know which version is the real him, but I like this side of him much better.

He goes on. “I love my brother more than anything. I think sometimes Dom feels like I’m difficult. But, the truth is, I just want the very best for him. I want to share the happiness I’ve foundwithhim. With everyone in the family. We both know it can be lonely at the top of your game. I have Selma, who, by the way, is much kinder than she let on tonight. Once she heard about your script and all . . . But Dom? He has no one. At least, when it comes to love. I think he hides behind his success a bit too much. While Selma and I choose to live in the spotlight, Dom chooses to hide in the shadows.”

He glances in my direction, all bravado drained from his face. He just looks tired now.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Most people just want to be near this level of success. Close enough to touch it, and everything that goes with it.” He looks over at me somewhat sheepishly. “Who to trust, and who to keep on the fringe. It’s something we all struggle with. Selma and I have been burned by so many people we saw as friends. Even some of our family members, a time or two.”

“I hope Dom doesn’t question my feelings for him. Your brother is everything to me. He makes me feel whole again, especially after my last very public breakup, and all the mistakes I’ve made since. I came here to escape some embarrassing viral fame back home. Dom saw through all that. He saw—” Quinton raises an eyebrow at me when I pause. Unsure of how to finish. “Well, he sawme. More clearly than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“Yes, I recognized you from that silly meme the moment I saw you. You proposed to your boyfriend on national television. He said no.”

I sigh and lie back in my chair. That stupid meme will be printed on my gravestone, as my one and only claim to fame.

“That’s me.” I take a small sip of whiskey and wince as it burns down my throat.

“Did you book Dom’s rental just to get to me?” he asks suddenly. “I’ve told him not to use his real name in the listing as the property manager. People are crazy smart these days. I knew somewhere along the line someone would book one of his places, knowing who we are.”

“His listing agent’s new assistant made that mistake.” I sit up straighter and swing my legs back over the chair, looking him dead in the eye. I will put this little notion to rest for good.

“Quinton, listen to me. You may be one of the best directors in the world, and I may have just completely bombed that pitch, but I really, really like your brother. I had no idea Dom was related to you until he told me a few weeks ago. I didn’t even know who he was until long after we started seeing each other. I’m definitely not smart enough to book a rental owned by the brother of a Hollywood director. Okay? Thank you for thinking I’m that accomplished in my online sleuthing skills, but, really, you don’t have to worry about that. I booked his place because it was cheap. I didn’t even know it was a shared townhouse, more or less owned by a guy related toyou.”

I pause to catch my breath.

He starts laughing, putting his hands up in front of him like I have a gun pointed in his direction. “Okay, okay! I believe you. You know, sometimes I just have to make sure. We have a long history of fame-chasers in this family.”

As long as I’m on a roll here, I dig my teeth in even further.

Chapter 65

If Quinton already hated my pitch, I may as well go for broke. If Quinton was truly hitting on me, Dom needs to know.

“What was that wholehitting-on-your-brother’s-datething earlier anyway? I’m with Dom. You’re with Selma. Why be the creepy heavy-hitting Hollywood director to the girl who just wants to spout off a pitch and go home?”

I stare at him, blind rage filling my eyes, but he just sighs and shrugs, looking slightly embarrassed.

“I just wanted to see if you were genuine. I would have never actually put any real moves on you. I would have stopped things before they got started. If it seemed like you were willing to take the bait, just to get your script read by me, I would have known for certain that Dom was in trouble.”

“What?” I feel rancid whiskey threaten to spill back out.

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