Page 77 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

With a cock of her hip, Sam flipped her hair. “Are you ready, Liv? Let’s go get this party started.”

Nerves still tingled in my gut, but Sam’s excitement was a little contagious. Lifting my chin, I gave them both a confident smile. “I’m ready.”

Chapter 46

Josh

Seated on the edge of the armchair, I watched the massive flat-screen intently, moving my character slowly, gun raised, ready to shoot. Behind me, voices mingled, laughing and teasing as they watched Troy Sutherland, my costar in Willow’s Way, and me fight it out in the game version of the movie.

It took me a little while to get used to playing a character who looked so scarily like me, and even longer still to get my head around the sound of my own voice accompanying him.

Moving my avatar around a corner, I only had a split second before Troy pounced, his character jumping up from behind a barrier and shooting at me. I pressed the buttons quickly, making mine throw himself to the ground and roll, before aiming and shooting wildly. Troy’s screen splattered dramatically with blood before both our screens closed, announcing me the winner.

Applause and laughter erupted around us. Troy and I chuckled, handing our controllers over and shaking hands. I had to admit, I was pretty impressed. When they originally announced they’d be making a game of Willow’s Way, I was skeptical it could be done, but having just played the first scene, I was willing to concede it was pretty awesome. The guys and I would definitely be playing the complimentary copy they’d given me.

Even though the success of the game had nothing to do with me really—other than the royalty I’d make from it—I still hoped it did well when it released at midnight. It was, after all, an extension of a brand I was connected to.

One of the game’s executives came forward—Jeremy, if I remembered right. “Excellent shot, Joshua,” he said, delight shining in his eyes. “You’re a natural.”

Troy rolled his eyes. “It was all ass, man.”

I smirked at him. “Yeah, you tell yourself that. It might help you sleep at night.”

Jeremy rubbed his hands together. “Anyway, on behalf of Abstract Games, I’d like to thank both of you for joining us tonight. It’s been awesome watching you both have so much fun with the game. We have high expectations for it,” he said, a slight sheen of sweat covering his forehead. “We’ll be taking the party next door in a few minutes, and would love for you to join us if you can.”

I wasn’t exactly keen to socialize too much more tonight, but seeing as I was staying upstairs, I knew it wouldn’t hurt for me to at least mingle for an hour or so. Picking up a glass of water, I gestured for Troy to lead the way with a grin.

“If you’re thinking we’re going to have another night like Vancouver, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to keep up,” he said as we started following people to the next room.

Lowering my head, I laughed. “If I didn’t have to be on set tomorrow afternoon, I’d challenge you to that.”

“How’s it going over there, anyway?”

I nodded with excitement. “Really good, actually. Steven’s awesome to work with.”

As we moved into the room, we took a moment to appreciate the setup. The lights were turned down low, music was pumping courtesy of a DJ stationed at the far end of the room, and the atmosphere was pure fun. The party seemed like it was in full swing, with a dozen or so people already out on the dance floor.

“How are you finding Hannah to work with?” Troy asked, collecting a drink from a drifting server.

We made our way through the bodies to the other side, closer to the dance floor. “She’s been all right so far. She’s pushing for exposure, though,” I said, giving him a dry look.

Troy chuckled into his drink. “Of course she is. You’re hot property at the moment. She wants a piece of it.”

“That’s the thing, though, isn’t it?” I said, watching the action on the floor. “It’s not so easy trying to figure out who’s real and who just wants a piece of you.”

“Ain’t that the truth.”

Taking a drink, I watched some guys on the dance floor, homing in on a couple of girls dancing in the middle. I could see why they were drawn to them. Both girls were pretty hot. One was tall and curvy with short brown hair and sultry lips, painted red, and the other was a little smaller, with long, blonde hair that fell down her back in waves. She seemed

to be the one the guys were drawn to most, with her short, silver dress that hugged her in all the right places, and matching four-inch heels that made her long, tanned legs seem like they went on forever. She was the epitome of sexy.

As she swung her hips to the music, slowly turning her body to the side, one of the guys put his hands on her, moving in closer. I watched with amusement, waiting to see what she would do, and when she stepped away, shaking her head at him, I had to bite down my laugh. The dude should’ve known better. I couldn’t see her face to be sure, but I was pretty sure she was out of his league. Hell, she was probably out of my league too.

The guy didn’t give up, though. He didn’t try to touch her again, but he stayed close, trying to draw her attention. It was a train wreck, really. I should’ve looked away, but there was something about her that made me want to keep watching.

As she and her friend continued to dance, slowly trying to distance themselves from the guys, they started to rotate so her friend would end up closer to them instead. It was a classic move. One I’d seen all too often, but I didn’t mind. At least this way I’d get a chance to see what she looked like.

I watched her step around, her hair falling over her face, then she laughed, her hand brushing her long, silky tresses back over her shoulder, and the smile fell clean off my face.

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