Page 16 of Hollywood Crush

“The…the opposite, in fact,” said Daniel. He continued to walk alongside me as I looked resolutely ahead. “Well, more a fear of the opposite. I might have my fans, but I’m not untouchably famous. Or infallibly rich. I have to work every day to earn my keep, and Sandra, my agent…she says if I’m seen to err one way or the other my career will be toast. I just did a film in Ireland which will be releasing in the next few months, about a gay farmer…”

I blushed. It may have been a trailer I’d watched a few times and a film I was very much looking forward to.

Daniel continued. “Anyway, a film about a gay farmer in which I would play the love interest. Sandra hit the roof. Thinks that playing a gay character could tank my career. So I jumped at the big, high-paying fantasy role. She thinks it could set me up for life if the series does well.”

“I see, so you can’t be seen to be gay in public?” I asked.

“More, it pays to keep people guessing, I think. Can’t be too close with men or women, when I do, to make sure they’re famous and to invite the paparazzi.”

“That sounds exhausting,” I said. We were passing the local pub and had come almost to the end of the village proper. “Why do you do it?”

Daniel stopped, and it forced me to stop at the same time. “I…I don’t know, sometimes. I love to act. I love being creative. It feels recently like I’m Sandra’s cash cow, if I’m honest. And it’s only this show that’s making me all that much cash.”

“So you’re telling me all those films, all thosesponsorship deals…and you’re not making much money?”

“Well..” Daniel hesitated. We had begun walking again without me even noticing. The lanes that led to the garage were quiet as always. You could walk an hour further away from the village and not see another soul sometimes. “I do makesomemoney, but after Sandra’s cut and the publicist she hires, and my accountant, and the stylists for the odd red carpet…I probably have a year’s worth of living expenses squirrelled away.”

“Would be nice to have a month’s worth squirrelled away if I’m honest.” I had said it without thinking, but Daniel grabbed my arm.

“You have an entire film production retaining your hotel for months and you don’t even have a month’s cash in hand?” Daniel sounded shocked.

“It’s not so bad…with all the renovations, extra equipment for the kitchen and gym, we’ve broken even. Once you’re all out I’ll have a hotel that’s been entirely renewed and hopefully a bit of dollar from tourists who love the show.”

“And a season 2,” said Daniel. “We might be back and you can negotiate a higher rate.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, peasant.” I smiled at Daniel and he smiled back. He glanced behind us and around again, then took my hand as we walked. I felt my heart flutter like a teenager.

“Do we need to talk?” I asked.

“If you’d like. No pressure though.”

“Right….I’m sorry about what went on the other night. I really had only meant to show you the conservatory and my cooking skills. I hadn’t started the night with the intention of jumping you. It was really unprofessional, and I hope you don’t think worse of me.”

Daniel held up our clasped hands. “Does it look like I’m thinking worse of you?”

“Well, no. I mean… I guess not.” My whole psyche was focused on our hands now, and I couldn’t think of what to say next. What did he want? What did heneed? They were answers I didn’t have, and questions I didn’t know how to ask.

“What do you want?” Daniel asked before I could formulate my own question.

“I honestly have no idea,” I said. “If you want, we pretend that night never happened. I go back to being your uber-professional hotel manager, you go back to being an actor who doesn’t look twice at me.”

“There was never a time I didn’t look twice at you. I thought you were gorgeous the second I clapped eyes on you.”

“Did you steal that line from a film you starred in?” I asked.

“No,” Daniel said. But when I looked at him he blushed. “It was a TV series, actually.” I laughed loud enough that a robin in one of the bushes to the side of us twittered angrily at me before flyingaway.

“Look at you, pissing off the birds,” he said.

“Usually only happens when I tell them I’m more interested in blokes.”

“Stick to the day job.”

“I intend to.” We grinned at each other again. It was almost infectious, smiling with him. Even if I knew my smile couldn’t possibly compare to that winning Hollywood grin. My teeth had never taken very well to braces, for a start.

“But to answer my own question,” started Daniel, “I don’t know what I want. It’s rare enough that I get to pick what I do want myself. Someone else picks what films I get parts in, what I wear, what to promote, where I get to stay.”

“Good for you I have a bossy streak then,” I replied.

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