Page 8 of The Actor: Harrison

Tonight was a big no since the start, but I couldn’t imagine I could stoop so low. “It doesn’t seemshehas a high opinion of me.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not to trying to defend her or anything, but I think she’s just fed up with this industry and you’re exactly what this industry represents. A white rich man with everyone bowing at his feet. You don’t have a problem with finding the next job. You receive hundreds of proposals. On the other hand, she’s an attractive woman trying to be taken seriously by a bunch of assholes trying to stick their cock into her instead of recognizing her value.” He’s not completely wrong.

“Okay, but I’m not one of those assholes. She judged me before even speaking to me. It’s not fair.”

“It’s also not fair that she has to struggle to make a name for herself in Hollywood when she’s way more talented than a lot of men thriving in this industry.” He raises an eyebrow.

He’s right, but it doesn’t mean it hurts any less. What she said hit way too close to home.

“Do you know where Kevin is?” I ask Aaron when a very bad idea forms in my head.

“Over there, why?” He points toward a group of people gathered by the pool.

I say nothing, but start walking toward the back door, Aaron hot on my heels.

“You’re not doing something stupid like getting her fired, are you?” he asks worriedly.

“No! God, she bruised my ego, but I’m not that much of an asshole. Jesus Christ, you really think I would do something like that?”

“Just asking. You’re marching furiously toward her only producer, you never know.”

I realize I must look like an angry rhino charging the crowd. I slow down and pull myself together before putting a smile on my face and approaching Kevin.

“Here you are, I was looking for you!” I grin at his surprised smile.

“I thought I saw you around here. I’m glad you came.” He turns around, leaving the conversation with a director and a couple of other producers and giving me his full attention.

“I love this party and your house is amazing!” I put maybe a bit too much enthusiasm in my words but he doesn’t seem to notice.

His smile broadens. “This will be my bachelor retreat. I can finally party as much as I want without my wife complaining about the women coming and going.”

His wife was probably complaining about the ones who were coming and going in his bed, but I don’t point it out.

“I’m sure you’ll enjoy your new freedom.” I wink and he laughs.

“I’ll make sure you’ll be on the guest list.”

“I can’t wait!” I really don’t want to be here, but I can’t say it out loud.

He glances behind my back and notices Aaron a ways behind me, talking with one of the actors enjoying the party. He’s not looking at us, but I know he’s assessing the situation. I saw him a bit worried about my mission and I can’t blame him. I’m not here to talk about the party.

“Are you here to steal my project?” He motions toward my friend with a smirk.

“I’m here with a proposal,” I say with a smug smile plastered on my face.

He turns toward me with a mixture of boredom and curiosity that perfectly fits his character. He can’t show how interested he is or he’ll give me an advantage in this conversation. Something like that would never happen in Hollywood, especially around big sharks like him.

“I had the chance to talk with Sienna about her new project.” I kick myself when I realize I should have asked Aaron more about it. I was so focused on getting back at her I didn’t think that far ahead. I didn’t think at all.

“Really? She’s very proud of it.” He smirks, not saying anything else, waiting for me to reveal my cards.

“I know! She wouldn’t stop talking about it. She blurted out so much the only thing that came to mind was,I need to know more!” I pull off my best performance of a person enthusiastic about a new idea he’s just heard about.

Kevin seems genuinely surprised. Maybe because he didn’t expect her to push this with me. I have no idea if he knows that she hates my guts. It’s difficult to gauge what his position is in this project, besides putting up the money. For all I know they could be lovers who share a hatred for me.

When the thought crosses my mind, my stomach squeezes uncomfortably. I never considered this could be the case. I probably look like a fool. She strikes me as someone with way too strong an opinion to appeal to someone like Kevin, who likes them docile and submissive, but you never know.

“Really?” He raises a pleased eyebrow.

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