Page 41 of The Man I Once Hated

My irritation subsides once I realize that Miranda’s a good distraction for me. The last thing I need is to become the guy who skulks around in the shadows, obsessing over a girl. I’m not that guy. As much as I may be attracted to Cara, I can’t let that happen.

“So, what are you running by me?” I ask after our drinks have been refreshed. Bourbon for me, white wine spritzer for the director.

She glances around conspiratorially and then tugs the sleeve of my suit jacket so I’ll follow her further down the bar. Once she’s happy we’re in a more secluded spot, she gets into it.

“Gio Sanchez is here,” she leans in to whisper.

I straighten at the sound of the name, my eyes scanning the room above the heads of cast and crew members. I spot a few familiar faces from the press randoms that always manage to get on the list at these things, and finally pick out the short, round Italian producer. He has a bulbous head, with more hair coming out of his nose than his scalp.

“Scouting?” I turn back to Miranda, who nods and shakes her head no at the same time. “What does that mean?”

“He’s here for Cara,” she says. “His new project? He just told me he wants her for it.”

This is news. Big news. Because the movie isn’t finished filming yet and she’s already making waves. Something like pride blooms in my chest and I look over to where she’s chatting and laughing with her other cast members. For all the shit I give her, there was never a doubt in my mind that she’d be a big name.

“You did this,” I fix Miranda with a knowing look. “How else would he know she even exists?”

She shrugs, a wry smile on her lips. “I may have sent his office a daily or two when I heard he’s casting. I didn’t expect him to show up this soon, though. Do you think she’ll go for it?”

“I think she’d be crazy not to.” This time when I look over, Cara’s looking straight at me.

She smiles coyly, pressing closer to Luka. He bends down and she whispers something in his ear that makes him laugh, all while holding eye contact with me. I know she’s messing me around. Teasing me. She’s been at it all night.

I hate that it’s working. The jealousy I’m feeling is quickly transforming into plain and simple desire. I want nothing more than to get her alone somewhere so she can feel the consequences of her actions.

“I hope you’re right,” Miranda brings my mind back out of the gutter. “It’ll be kinda embarrassing if she were to give him the runaround after everything.”

I shake my head slowly, take another sip of my drink. “Cara’s a professional. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“I know, you’re right. But do you think you could talk to her before Gio does?” she asks, turning on the schmooze. I know when I’m being played and this is it.

“What do you want me to say?” I scoff, milking the moment for what it’s worth. I like to make people feel like they have to work for it. It’s another favorite game of mine.

“Come on, Eddie…”

I steel myself against the use of that nickname. God, I hate it.

Miranda goes on, “You have a way with her, you know you do. She responds differently to you. If anyone’s going to persuade her, it’s going to be you.”

I’m shocked by Miranda’s observation, all this time thinking that Cara and I have been doing a pretty good job at keeping things under wraps. That’s been a huge part of the excitement - feeling like we’re duping everyone, winning at sneaking around set.

I know Cara, and she’ll never pass down the opportunity to take the lead in a serious movie. It’s the reason she’s here. All of her years of work finally paying off. It’ll definitely take the sting out of being tied to the slapstick feature she’s working on.

But…

If I play along, it means I have a reason to get Cara alone tonight.

“Okay,” I sigh heavily, laying it on real thick that I’d rather be doing anything else. “If you really think it’ll help.”

Miranda bounces on the spot and claps her hands together before realizing she’s drawing too much attention. Then she snaps her arms back down to her sides and schools her features.

“Thank you,” she says with a simple nod. “You’re doing the right thing.”

When I get to Cara, her co-star seems to be well on his way to getting shitfaced. Luka’s hands are a little too low on her back for my liking.

“Ed, Edster, my man.” He holds up a hand for a high five, his other slipping dangerously close to cupping Cara’s ass.

I leave him hanging and push through the abomination of my name with gritted teeth. I know that if I’m to touch his hand, I’ll crush it before decking him to the floor. Fucking punk.

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