Page 6 of See You There
CHAPTER TWO
“Putyour hand on my ass one more time, Chandler, and I’m going to slap you. That will give the people watching plenty to talk about,” Dahlia hissed, as they left the restaurant in Phipps Plaza.
The movie Dahlia and Chandler had filmed for Peachtree Pictures was set to be released at the beginning of August, only weeks away, and she and Chandler’s faux romance was back on per studio instructions. Dahlia hadn’t seen Chandler since just after the movie wrapped and the disastrous night out with the new owner of the studio, Matt Crawford. Her stomach turned over at the memory.
Chandler had flown back to Los Angeles where he lived most of the year, and she briefly visited the town she grew up in. Dahlia had hoped to track down Scott through his mother, Tammy, but no one had been home at the house she used to live in. Dahlia’s visit with her sister Hannah, who still lived there, hadn’t gone much better.
Her sister had been too busy for more than a stilted conversation over a quick meal on her lunch break. Hannah also informed her that Tammy had moved away since Dahlia had been there last. No one she spoke with seemed to know whereTammy had gone. Or if they did, they weren’t willing to share the information with Dahlia.
The trip had been a complete failure.
“Why did you wear those shoes? They make you taller than me. I hate that,” Chandler whined.
Dahlia glanced down at the bright blue espadrilles that matched her high-waisted shorts. “It doesn’t matter, Chandler.”
“I’m trying to get a role as an action star. I can’t look small.”
Dahlia eyed the way his shoulders and arms were bulging out of his tight T-shirt. “You’re not small. You must have been in the gym the entire time you were in LA.”
Chandler preened. “My agent thinks I’ve got a real shot at this role if I can bulk up before the audition. It’s all about image,” Chandler said, before detailing how much protein he ate every day and how much he lifted.
Dahlia let her mind wander, keeping a slightly contented smile on her face. He was right. In their business, image was everything.
Chandler’s phone buzzed, and he typed out a text before scanning the surrounding people.
“Hey, babe, my trainer is here. He’s got my vitamins. It’ll just take a minute.”
Dahlia followed Chandler as he walked toward the public restrooms. Her brow wrinkled, and she hesitated at the end of the hall. Two burly men were waiting for Chandler by the door to the men’s bathroom, and whether it was her instincts or her past, something was flashing a stop sign in her brain.
“I’ll wait here,” Dahlia said, but Chandler ignored her.
He grabbed her hand towing her behind him, and she was forced to keep up so she didn’t twist an ankle. Several feet from the men, he dropped her hand, and she turned back, offering friendly smiles to the few people who snuck glances at her as they passed.
Neither she nor Chandler were big-name stars yet, but there had been a huge media push this last week. The film was shot in Atlanta and had caused a lot of interest in the local press. Some bystanders had pulled out phones to take their picture. Chandler had noticed, too, which was why he slipped his hand to her rear earlier.
“Lia,” Chandler said from behind her. “My boys want to meet you.”
“Hank Foreman.” The larger of the men extended his hand to shake hers. His head was shaved on the sides, with a mop of blond hair gelled into a short pompadour on top. His large hand engulfed hers, making a vein ripple grotesquely through an orange cartoon character on his wrist. “I’m a big fan.” He grinned brightly. “Chandler’s been telling us all about this new movie. We can’t wait.”
Dahlia looked at the slightly smaller man at Hank’s side. He hadn’t been introduced, so Dahlia simply smiled.
“Oh, yeah,” Hank said, noticing where her attention had gone. “That’s Joel. He’s shy.” He guffawed as if he said something funny.
Dahlia kept her practiced smile steady. “Lovely to meet both of you.”
“Stop drooling over my girl.” Chandler laughed, slipping an arm around her waist. Dahlia bit her tongue so she didn’t snap at him. The public believed they were a couple. It wouldn’t help movie sales if people knew her romantic lead made her skin crawl.
Joel gave her a blatant onceover, and Chandler high-fived Hank with his free hand. Dahlia thought the man’s tattoo looked as annoyed as she was.
“I’m afraid we need to get going,” Dahlia said in a smooth voice. “I have an appointment.”
“See you around, man.” Chandler used his arm to steer her away.
“Why do you always have to sound so stuck up?” Chandler muttered, simultaneously flashing a smile at a fan who had lifted their phone to snap a picture.
“I’m not stuck up,” Dahlia said through her teeth, keeping her smile wide. “I was perfectly polite.”
“That’s you, Lia. Always perfect.”
