Page 41 of Howl for Me
They pull up chairs like it’s nothing, settling in like we are all friends.
Lori turns to me, excited. “Cass, this is Kent. He’s in production at Moonlight.”
I blink. I do recognize him. Not well, but enough. He’s been at the studio a few times when I’ve been there, usually behind a clipboard or barking orders.
“And this is Hugo,” she adds, nodding to the man beside him. “Set design, mostly.”
Hugo smiles at me, warm and easy. He’s got kind eyes and soft curls that flop over his forehead when he leans forward to shake my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” I say, and mean it. He seems sweet. Lori leans in, nudging me slightly. “Kent’s my date to the party tomorrow.”
I lift a brow, surprised. “Didn’t realize it was a bring a date type of event.”
“Of course, it is,” she says with a wink.
I glance between them, then at Hugo. “For a studio that’s supposed to be underground, there sure seem to be a lot of people that work there.”
Kent nods, still chewing. “That’s the thing, Moonlight’s quiet on the outside, but there’s a lot going on behind the cameras.”
Lori swallows a sip of water. “The party tomorrow is how everyone gets to meet each other. It helps. You can’t shoot a scene if no one’s comfortable. It’s weird enough with cameras and lights and everything else.”
“That makes sense,” I murmur.
Hugo smiles at me again, this time a little more nervous, like he’s working up to something. “Well, if you’re not going with anyone tomorrow… we should go together.”
I freeze. Lori’s eyes shoot wide before she quickly lifts her glass and sips her water, like it might hide her reaction.
Kent’s already nodding, completely unfazed. “That’d be fun. All of us together again tomorrow night.”
I feel the edges of my thoughts start to blur. Technically, Johnny hasn’t asked me to go with him. There’s no rule that says I’m supposed to. My job is to make sure he’s on time, not to be his plus one. But what if he does have someone? What if I show up at his house tomorrow and some woman answers the door, already dressed, already claimed?
God. How stupid would I look, sitting in the backseat like the assistant I am while he sits up front with someone who’s everything I’m not?
No. I’ll call Johnny tomorrow. I’ll make sure he’s ready, on time, and then I’ll just meet him there. That’s still professional. That makes sense. Doesn’t it?
I look at Hugo and smile, small but sincere.
“Sure,” I say softly. “I’d like that.”
And I try not to think about the fact that my heart sinks just a little when I say it.
Chapter Nineteen
Johnny
The phone won’t stop ringing. I crack one eye open and glance at the clock on my nightstand. Shit. It’s already noon. The ringing dies off, giving me a blessed moment of silence before starting up again.
“Damn it,” I mutter, dragging myself out of bed. My head is foggy, my limbs heavy. I stumble across the room, stub my toe on the edge of a boot, curse louder, and finally answer the phone.
“What?”
Cassidy’s voice comes through sharply. “It’s noon. Why are you just waking up?”
I rub my face and flop into the armchair by the window. “Good morning to you too, sunshine.”
She goes quiet for half a beat. “You sound like… wait. Were you drinking?” Her tone shifts from annoyed to full-on threatening. “Johnny, so help me God,”
I laugh, low and a little raspy. “Cass, no, I didn’t drink.”
