Page 7 of How He Got the Girl
She sighs. “I give up. What do you do?”
“I’m an actor.”
“I should’ve known.” Mallory taps her pink nails on her mug. “Would I recognize you from anything?”
I rub my hands on my jeans. It always feels a little awkward talking about my dream career, especially when I’ve been trying—and failing—for years to achieve it. Unlessholding up a tube of toothpaste, saying, “You handle the razzle, we’ll bring the dazzle. Dazzle the world with your smile when you use DazzlePaste” in a commercial counts as my Hollywood debut.
Yeah…didn’t think so.
“No.” I clear my throat. “But I have an audition tomorrow.”
“What for?”
“A romantic comedy movie. They want an unknown actor. I’ve been trying to catch my big break for a while now, so I hope this will be it. Honestly, I’m just grateful for every opportunity to audition. Each one gives me motivation to grow my craft.”
Mallory leans back in her seat, looking impressed. “I’m more of a fantasy girl myself, but I hope you get it.”
Her honesty is as refreshing as an ice-cold glass of lemonade on a summer day. “That’s my dream role. Being the lead in a fantasy movie would be epic, but I’ll take anything that gets me into the industry.”
She lifts her mug into the air. “To getting your dream role one day.”
I clink my mug with hers. “To one day,” I echo. “Is being an elementary school teacher your dream job?”
Mallory nods. “Although I think I’d enjoy any job where I get to help teach and grow the next generation.”
“It’s one of the most noble and important professions.”
“People say that kids are brutally honest, but I like it.”
“Something tells me you’re pretty blunt, yourself.”
She shrugs. “Sounds like you’ve already got me pegged.”
I might know snippets about the beautiful woman in front of me, but there’s so much more I want to know. It seems cruel that I’m meeting her when I’m on the cusp of my big break into the industry, something I’ve beenworking toward for years. But if I land that role, I can cross that bridge when I come to it.
For now, I only hope that Mallory gives me the time of day to learn everything that makes her who she is.
“Ihaveafeelingthere’s a lot more to the woman behind the biting words.” Griffin’s eyes meet mine while a playful smile tilts his lips.
The way he’s looking at me makes me feel like he can see right into my soul. It’s as if he’s searching for the answer to who I am—like he wants to uncover everything there is to know about me.
Although I don’t know anything about the man except that he rights his wrongs, knows the best place to get hot chocolate in eastern Tennessee, and is trying to catch his break as an actor—even if the fact that he wants to be an actor feels like a potential red flag—I can’t help but feel the same way. There’s a feeling deep in my gut that has me wanting to peel back all the layers of this handsome man and discover who he is at his core.
I shoot him a flirty smile. “Just like there’s more to the man behind the pretty face.”
“You think I’m pretty?” His grin is more genuine than cocky.
I never thought I’d consider dating someone long-distance, let alone an actor. Heck, he could even be preparing for his audition right now. But it’s the little things likehis lopsided smile and how he pressed snow to my hands immediately after burning me that make me feel like I can trust him regardless of the flirty persona he puts off. Deep down, I think I’ll regret it if I don’t try to see if there’s something between us.
“I think you already know that you’re pretty.” I pull my hands farther into the sleeves of my sweater, like a turtle retreating into its shell, before taking another sip of my snickerdoodle hot chocolate. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said it was the best cup I’ve ever had. It’s warming my soul, and Griffin calling the teaching professionnobleis filling my heart right alongside it.
“I like your fiery spirit.” Griffin takes a sip of his drink, his smirk barely visible behind the mug.
“I like your face,” I deadpan.
“Tell me something I don’t already know.” He winks.
Winks! I don’t think I’ve ever had a man wink at me before, but Griffin makes it look effortless. I’m pretty sure if I tried to return the action, it would look like I have something stuck in my eye that I’m desperately trying to get out.
