Page 13 of Touch Me

“So have Matthew or Carson called?”

I shake my head. “I’m guessing Evelyn told them not to. Sheran after me—I mean, she gets why I’m so upset.”

“She would. Yeah.”

Evelyn and I were in the early days of our relationship backwhen I was “Rained” on by that cretin. And I know damn well she remembers justwhat a miserable shit he was. A miserable shit who later managed to land theleading role in what quickly became one of the most lucrative franchises inHollywood history.

So, yeah. My running out may actually have screwed themovie. And my career.

I draw a deep breath and try again to take a sip of wine.Because right now, a chardonnay buzz is exactly what the doctor ordered.

But, no. I wrinkle my nose and put it back down. That wine’sdefinitely gone off.

“He rode down with her,” I add, making a face. “He wanted togo with her all the way to my car, but she made him go back up once they hitthe lobby.”

“That ass,” Nikki says, still deep in the loyal friend zone.“What did he think he could say to you now that he couldn’t say back when hewas being a total prick?”

I let my shoulders rise and fall. “That he knows he was anass. That he wishes he hadn’t hurt me. That it’s a great picture and we havegood chemistry even with me hating him.” I make a face. “He’s probably rightabout that. Considering the ups-and-downs of those two in the script, chemistrymixed with utter contempt wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

She puts her now empty glass on the coffee table. We’re inthe second-floor library surrounded by the many books that Damien has collectedover the years. It’s a room that feels cozy and safe. But it’s also starting tofeel a little claustrophobic.

“Wait,” she says, shifting on the sofa and tucking one legup under her. “You’re still going to do the movie? With Bryan The Devil Raine?”

I spread my hands and sigh. “He said he’s sorry. Evelyn saidhe sounded genuinely contrite.”

“Like hell he is. That man is the most narcissistic prick onthe planet.”

“Yeah, but he’s also a man who can make a career.” I draw abreath. “He used me. Now it’s my turn to use him.”

“I don’t know, James.” She reaches for my still-full wineglass and takes a sip. “Is that really the way you want to make it big?”

I give her my best stare. “Um, yeah.”

She laughs, then takes another sip, apparently liking thewine just fine. “I get it,” she says. “I really do. But that doesn’t mean it’sa good idea.”

“Oh, come on. Why not? He’s a major box office draw, andwe’d share top billing. Plus, he’s talented—much as it pains me to say—and onset he’s professional. Or so everyone says. Besides, he’s been divorcedtwice—both after just a couple of months—and I’m happily married to the bestguy in the world.”

“Second best,” Nikki says.

“We could arm wrestle for the title, but I’d win. Especiallysince you’ve drunk all the wine.”

“True,” she agrees, then frowns. “Why is that?”

“I think I’m catching something. Probably a stomach bug.Even I don’t usually barf on potential co-stars out of malice.”

“So it didn’t come on suddenly?”

“The barf-a-palooza? Yeah, that was a super-fun surprise.But I felt nauseous this morning, too. Totally skipped coffee.” I shudder justthinking about it.

“Well, don’t pass it on to me. Once someone in the housecatches something, everyone does. Kids are like walking Petri dishes. And Iespecially don’t want to get sick right before Damien and I head out of town.”

“I’ll do my best to go home with all the germs I came inwith. Besides, the kids aren’t here, are they?”

She shakes her head. “With the cousins. What are your othersymptoms?” she continues, without even the slightest pause.

“Why? Is something going around?”

She just rolls her hand, as if to urge me along.