Page 22 of Grunt: A Marine Romance

“Cut!” The director waved them back. “Selena, that was great. Bret, I need you to at least smile at Robyn. You look like you’re at a funeral. One more time, people.”

“How long is this gonna take?” Xavier yelled at the director. “I don’t have time for amateurs.”

Selena could see a vein in Bret’s bicep bulge. He had been right—celebrities in Marin were just as spoiled as they were in Los Angeles.

“Don’t worry, Xavier, I’ll take care of it.”

Xavier slammed the door on the director’s face.

The director leaned in to Bret. “Bret, this time, just lean in and give Robyn a kiss. You don’t have to say anything. C’mon, people, let’s try to get this before I die of old age. Hustle, hustle!”

Selena stumbled back down the driveway for take number four, nearly killing herself twice. Stupid beautiful shoes.

They walked up the stairs, cameras trailing behind them.

Four takes later, the introduction was finally filmed. Bret and Selena stood in the entryway.

Robyn moved toward Bret, her eyes tracing his body. Selena’s stomach clenched. Robyn looked stunning, even better in person. Her mocha skin contrasted with her green eyes. She wore her hair in a natural short afro. The actress was famous for playing a sexy cougar on her hit daytime soap opera. The tabloids always printed rumors of her affairs with her costars. Selena wondered if Robyn would turn her charms on Bret. Maybe the tabloids were just harassing Robyn the same way they harassed Dima and Selena. “Bret, are you new to the show? I’ve never seen you.”

Bret nodded his head. “Yes, ma’am. This is my first, and only, season. I used to be a competitive ballroom dancer—Selena was actually my partner. We won the U.S. Championship as teens. I’m currently a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. I’m just doing one season to raise money for my buddy’s family. He was killed in Iraq. But I assure you, I know how to dance and will work very hard to get us into the finals.”

Xavier put his arm around Bret. “A Marine, huh? I tried to enlist for ‘nam but I couldn’t because I suffered from tuberculosis. Thank you for your service.”

Robyn’s lips parted and formed into a slow smile. “What an amazing story, Bret. I’m honored to be your first, and only, celebrity partner.” She brushed against Bret. “Please, why don’t both of you come in and we can get to know each other.”

The camera zoomed in on Bret’s face. For a second, Selena thought that Bret would push it away, but he clenched his teeth and walked into the home.

A strong scent of sage filled the air. They stepped into the sunken living room, with glass walls and French doors leading to the deck.

Robyn lingered in the hallway. “Can I offer you a drink? Wine, beer, iced tea, tequila, mojito?”

“No, thank you, ma’am.”

“Please Bret, call me Robyn.”

Selena held back a laugh—she thought Bret was so cute, all polite and nervous. “I’ll take water.”

Robyn went to the kitchen.

Though Xavier must’ve been at least fifty years old, Selena found him very attractive. His long dark curls hung on his face, covering his soulful eyes. Her mother was a huge Quintana fan. Selena’s first concert had been to see him when she was a child. The man played a guitar as if he were seducing a woman. With his rhythm and Selena’s talent, they were a shoe-in to make the finals.

Robyn reappeared with a glass of water with a sliver of lime. “Please, sit down.”

“Okay—cut!” The director yelled. “We got what we needed. We’ll see you all tomorrow for the first dance practice.”

Bret relaxed his shoulders. The cameramen packed up and exited the front door. Selena was so used to the cameras, she had forgotten they were even there.

Robyn handed Selena the glass of water and then settled next to them on the sofa. “So Selena, what’s your ethnic background?”

Selena almost choked on her water. She hated questions about race. Selena was proud of her heritage but she didn’t like the way the media would use her Latina background to paint her into some spicy tamale stereotype. “My mom is Mexican-American. My dad was French.”

Xavier became silent, now that the cameras were gone. Was his arrogant bravado just part of his image? But even though he spoke no words, Selena connected with him. Their culture, their dedication to their artistic passions. The way he looked at her, Selena thought that he would be able to understand her.

Robyn looked into Selena’s eyes. “Both Xavi and I feel that it is very important to remain connected to your culture, your true spirit. We work with a guru that has helped us realign with our respective African and Aztec ancestors. We would love to help you do the same.”

Selena glanced at Bret, praying he wasn’t rolling his eyes. She bit her lip. “That would be wonderful. Sign me up.” Bret tapped his feet. She knew that he wanted to spend as little time there as necessary. “Thank you both so much for welcoming us into your home. Both Bret and I are beat—we traveled from Los Angeles this morning. If you wouldn’t mind, we’d love to get some sleep so we can start early tomorrow morning.”

Xavier stood up. “Of course. We have a studio in the pool house, so we can both train down there. I don’t wake up too early. Can we start around eleven?”