Page 45 of No Interest in Love

Her answer niggled in the back of my mind. I checked the time, and my own meeting wasn’t for another ten minutes. So I relaxed a bit, even though Shay’s the kind of person who would show up early for everything.

“So what’s his name?” I might have flexed my jaw muscles more than usual when I saw her watching me drink.

“Why do you care?”

“You said entertainment biz. Is he famous like you?”

Her face fell, making my gut wrench with something I’ve come to know as massive and unjustified guilt. It was the last time I referenced her meme fame.

“He’s an actor. You’ve probably seen him take parts you want all over town.”

“Ouch,” I said with a smile, knowing hands down right then that she was there to see me. And damn, it sucked because I thought this agency was my “in,” but the fact that Shay was my “in”…well, it wasn’t going to happen.

So I had more fun with her.

“I’ll bet your wound-up ass that I’ve booked more jobs than this ‘actor.’ ” Yeah, I put the quotes up with my fingers like a thirteen-year-old girl. I saw her rebuttal on the tip of her tongue, and I sat back and let her release it.

“Really? Do you have an agency headhunting you?”

“Oh, so this is a business meeting?”

“Yes. And I need to look professional. You are not helping.”

“Hey, you sat down next to me.”

She tilted her head again, her dangle earring brushing the overlarge shoulder of the blazer. “You are correct.” She went to stand. “As always, nice bumping into you,” she said with her sarcastic grin. Her heel got caught on the bottom of her pantsuit, which was far too large for her, and she caught herself using the back of my chair.

I laughed and held my hand out for her to shake, stopping her fumbly exit.

“Jason Sterne.”

She went white. Then red.

“No…”

“Yeah. Changed my name for the stage.”

She slumped back into her seat, pushing away her bright green martini. “Double shot of tequila,” she told the bartender.

“I would’ve thought the intern coming to sign me would’ve actually seen me act,” I said, rolling my empty glass.

“I trust Julie’s judgment. She thinks you havereal potential,” she said, widening her eyes at her emphasized words. She downed the first shot right after that.

“Well, do we want to waste our time here?” I got up to leave, not only the disappointment of the representation being a complete bust forcing my ass off the stool but also the fact that I was facing a dilemma. Shay was adorable that day, shooting back tequila and wearing a ridiculously unflattering—yet flattering—outfit, and her feisty personality was something I found amusing.

Shay leaned down and pulled a manila folder from her briefcase. She stuck it out to me and said, “I know you probably don’t want to work with me, but I’m still offering. Despite our run-ins, you’re a good actor.”

I raised an eyebrow and took the contract from her slowly. “Based off Julie’s recommendation?”

She stood up, downed her second shot, then straightened her jacket. “Based off my own opinion. I didn’t know I was meeting up withyou. But I’ve seen you perform. And I think—”

“Wait, wait, wait…” I said, holding my hand out for her to stop. “You’ve seen me perform, and you didn’t recognize me?”

“Not as Jason Sterne.” Her mouth pulled up in arrogance. “Just as my nemesis.”

I cocked a brow and leaned closer. “Aren’t you paid to recognize kick-ass talent?” I gestured to myself. “And stage presence?”

Her mouth opened and closed a few times. I saw the moment she decided to jump back into professional mode. Her face lost expression and her gaze leveled with mine. “I know exactly what auditions to get for you. If you want to give me a shot.” She tapped the folder. “My contact information is all in there.” Her heel caught on the bottom of her pants again as she made her way to the exit. I grinned at her, sort of in shock at the contract sitting in my hand.

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