by K. C. Wells
“Well, hello there.” Dean was walking toward him.
Jase came to a halt. “Hi. If you’re quick, you’ll catch Chris. He’s over there, finishing my breakfast.”
Dean snickered. “That’s the way to keep an eye on that gorgeous figure, for sure. Actually, I’m glad I ran into you. Do you have any lunch plans? Are you eating with Chris?”
Jase wasn’t certain, but he vaguely recalled Chris talking about having a lunch appointment. “I have no plans.”
Dean beamed. “Excellent. Would you like to have lunch with me? I thought we could talk about something that interests both of us.” When Jase gave him a quizzical look, Dean’s eyes gleamed. “Acting, sweetheart. Chris told me you’re an actor.”
Jase snorted. “I’m hoping to be. So far I’ve only done commercials and a couple of small parts in soap operas.”
“But you had an audition recently, didn’t you?”
Jase stared at him. “I guess Chris has been talking about me,” he said slowly.
Dean smiled. “He’s obviously fond of you. He thinks very highly of you, from what I’ve gleaned. So… are we on for lunch?”
Jase nodded. “I’d really like that. Chris speaks glowingly of you too.”
Dean laughed. “Now I’m worried. That man knows way too much about me. Shall we say twelve thirty? I should be finished with my craft session by twelve.”
“Sounds good.” Jase was delighted to have been asked. “By the way, what’s your class on?”
“Would you believe, writing sex scenes?” Dean grinned. “And yes, before you ask, I can advise on how to write het sex scenes too.” He winked. “The equipment might differ, but the end goal is still the same. Thankfully I’m not the only one giving the class. I think they added me for the contingent of LGBTQ romance authors who are here.”
“Are there many?” Jase knew how many authors would be appearing at the book signing the following day.
“More than there used to be.” Dean’s smile faded. “In the past, I think the organizers would have been happy if they could have shoved us all in one little room and ignored us, but we keep coming back in growing numbers. I estimate there’ll be about seventy such authors here this year. Our best yet.” That bright smile was back. “You won’t be able to miss us. Just look for the rainbow flags.” Dean glanced at his watch and grimaced. “Shit. I’m late for my breakfast meeting. I’ll see you here at twelve thirty, okay?”
“Great.”
Dean patted his shoulder and strode into the restaurant. Jase headed for the elevators, smiling. Dean was an easy man to like.
“SO what’s the story with Pretty Boy?” Dean said, slipping into the booth, facing Chris.
He gave a start. “Warn a guy before you sneak up on him.”
Dean arched his eyebrows. “If I did that, it would hardly be sneaking, would it?” He poured water into an empty glass. “My breakfast guest just messaged to say she’ll be late, so we have a few minutes.” He leaned forward, elbows on the table, his chin resting on his steepled hands. “So? Pretty Boy?”
Chris let out a sigh. “His name is Jase, as you well know.”
Dean’s eyes sparkled. “But he is pretty. There’s no denying that. And curious minds want to know if you really have robbed him from the cradle.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Are you and he doing the horizontal mambo?”
Chris gaped at him. “Well, if we were, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”
Dean gave him a speculative glance. “You’re not fucking, then. My next question is why not?”
“Excuse me?” Chris was gobsmacked.
Dean let out a dramatic sigh. “Honey, I was there last night. The seventies thing? You didn’t see me, but then, that was hardly surprising, because you only had eyes for him. Now tell me you’re not lusting after that gorgeous bod, and I’ll stand on this table, yelling ‘Pants on fire’ at the top of my voice. And you know how far I can project, sweetie.” He sat back, his arms folded against his chest, his expression smug.
Chris sagged against the padded back of the seat. “You know me far too well.”
“Funny. I was just telling Jase the same thing about you.” He smiled. “We’re meeting for lunch, so I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth, hence talking to you first.” He tilted his head. “So tell me why you haven’t made a move on someone who clearly thinks the sun shines out of your hole.”
He stiffened. “He does?” Then he recalled Jase’s words.
To make you notice me.
Fuck.
Dean widened his eyes. “Tell me you’re not that blind, please.” He froze as a figure approached their table. “Della! I’ll be right with you.”
She smiled. “I’ll be over there.” She gave Chris a nod before going to a table on the other side of the restaurant.
Dean sighed. “Looks like our time is up. Seriously, though? He’s gorgeous. He’s sexy. From what you say, he’s intelligent and funny. So do us all a favor: stop lusting after him from afar and ask him out on a date. He can only say no, and if he does that, I’ll run naked through the ballroom during the signing tomorrow.” He grinned. “And you know I’d do it, don’t you?”
Unfortunately, Chris knew only too well. “I’ll think about it.”
“Well, don’t take too long.” Dean stood up. “You’ve been thrown together this week for a reason. I’m a firm believer in fate.” He walked around to Chris’s side and patted him on the back. “Go get him.” And with that, he strode across the restaurant, calling out, “I’m all yours, darling!”
Chris was still mulling over Dean’s words. He makes it sound so easy. It was then that he realized that for the first time, he wasn’t thinking about ruining their relationship.
Because maybe, just maybe, there was a chance.
Chapter Eleven
CHRIS stayed long enough at the Bridesmaids event to catch sight of Jase in a tux. The white shirt and black bow tie stood out against the black waistcoat that hugged his torso, and his jacket fitted him closely. His hair was styled in its usual soft wave to one side.
He looked so beautiful that Chris was stunned into silence. Jase mingled with the guests, posing for photos and talking with readers, looking relaxed and happy. Then he caught sight of Chris, and his face lit up.
Jase walked over to him, smiling broadly. “You made it. I thought you’d gotten a better offer.”
Chris felt a flush of guilt. He’d meant to be there earlier, but he’d been in his room, desperately trying to come up with a totally brilliant pitch.
Why don’t you ask Jase? Maybe he has some ideas.
The thought wasn’t preposterous. In fact, it was damn good. But before he could voice the suggestion, Jase sighed.
“I guess I’d better get back to my mingling. Thanks for stopping by.”
“What? As if I’d miss the chance to see you in a tux. We’ve never done a shoot like that. I’m obviously missing out. Maybe we need to find you an author who’s writing about a playboy or a billionaire.”
Jase grinned. “That sounds like it’d be a fun read.” He glanced down at his clothing. “I’m sorry I only get to wear it once.”
Chris had a thought. “What about the Saturday night party? Everyone gets dressed up for that. A tux wouldn’t be out of place.”
His face brightened. “Yeah, that’s a great idea.” He peered over Chris’s shoulder and that sigh was back. “Looks like I’m in demand. I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Sure.” Before Chris could say another word, Jase leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek, then headed across the room to where a group of women stood, beckoning him excitedly.
The intimate gesture sent warmth coursing through Chris. Then he remembered his lunch appointment and headed out of the event to go to his room. The more work he got done, the more time he got to spend with Jase.
This was turning out to be a wonderful con.
“TELL me about these commercials you’ve done,” Dean asked between bites of pasta.
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“I’ve advertised razors, the Yellow Pages, home improvement, beds….” Jase twirled the pasta around his fork. “Plus I’ve had parts in a couple of amateur theater productions.”
Dean’s eyes lit up. “Oh really? Tell me more. What parts have you played?”
Jase laughed. “Let’s say my experience has been… varied.”
“Now you’ve intrigued me.” Dean set down his fork. “I’m all ears.”
Jase counted on his fingers. “I’ve played Romeo, Bottom, and Caliban in Shakespeare productions. I played a statue in a production of Animal Crackers. And a host of bit parts in everything from murder mysteries to Greek tragedies.”
“Romeo is pretty impressive,” Dean admitted. “Have you studied acting?”
“I did some acting in college, but since graduating I’ve taken classes at the HB Studio in New York.”
Dean beamed. “Excellent. I’ve worked with actors who trained there.”
“I’ve signed up for their summer classes for the last three years, plus I’ve attended their workshops. When I could afford it.”
“You live in New York?”
He nodded. “Brooklyn. I’ve had any number of jobs to pay my bills. The photo shoots really help. That’s what goes toward my acting classes. And I had a couple of tiny parts in a few soaps.”
“You’ve got an agent, right?”
Jase gave another nod.
“And I don’t have to ask if you’re continually checking out Mandy.com.”
Jase snickered. “Only on days that end in a y.”
“Is your agent any good?”
“She’d better be, for what she charges.” Jase sighed. “I didn’t mean that. Juliet works damn hard.”
Dean’s gaze was compassionate. “You’re thinking about that audition, aren’t you?”
Jase gave a short laugh. “What gave it away?”
“I remember how it felt. That’s all. Waiting for the phone to ring. Watching for emails. Waking up each day wondering what you could have done better.” He tilted his head to one side. “What’s the part?”
“The movie’s about a group of friends who’ve known each other since high school, and how they rally when one of them develops a serious illness. I auditioned to play one of the friends.”
Dean’s eyes widened. “Apart from the plot, which sounds like it’s gonna be super emotional and require boxes and boxes of tissues, and therefore so not my kinda movie, that seems a really good part.”
Jase had to agree. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. I had to do a scene where the sick guy breaks it to all his friends at his parents’ anniversary party. Talk about emotional.” He took a drink of water. “And as for thinking if I could have done any better? I acted the fuck out of that part. I don’t think I could have improved on it.” Which was probably why he was stressing. Because if his best performance ever wasn’t good enough to put him in the running for a second audition, then he might as well give up.
“Is a career in movies your goal? Or would you consider going on the stage?”
Jase huffed out a breath. “Movies would be a good start. But to be honest? The stage is what draws me. Acting onstage is way better than in a movie.”
Dean wiped his lips with his napkin, placed it on his plate, and leaned back. “Now tell me why.”
“In theater, anything can go wrong at any second. The production is unfolding before the audience’s eyes. It hasn’t been edited again and again. Which is why theater actors are better than movie and TV actors, in my opinion.”
Dean chuckled. “I can name a few who’d argue that point with you, but they’re divas. What’s your evidence?”
“A movie director might go through a scene at least a dozen times, and from different angles, until he’s happy with the outcome. So think about how many chances an actor in a movie gets to get it right. A theater actor doesn’t get that. He has to do everything perfectly, first time, or else improvise on the fly if it doesn’t. And theatrical productions are really gripping.”
Dean arched his eyebrows. “So are movies. I’ve seen plenty that have had me on the edge of my seat.”
“Yeah, but what makes them that way is the addition of music most of the time, to heighten the intensity of the scene. Since when do movie directors film scenes in sequence? An actor has no idea of what the movie’s gonna look like until he sits through the finished product at its premiere. A theater actor gets the way the tension builds as the story unfolds. They see it happening in chronological order. The experience is so much more exciting, and for that to happen, the actors have to be really talented.” Jase smiled. “How many times have you sat through a movie and thought how a particular actor couldn’t act their way out of a paper bag? In theater, you have to get it right on the night. That’s what makes it so exciting.”
Dean smiled too. “I love meeting actors who are passionate about their craft.” He got out his phone, scrolled through it, then passed it to Jase. “Put your contact details in there. Phone, email, social media. I’m gonna keep my eyes and ears open, and if I see something that might interest you, I’ll be in touch.”
“Really?” Jase stared at him.
Dean shrugged. “You have no idea of the number of directors I meet with on a regular basis. I’m not promising anything, you understand, but I will keep my eyes peeled.” Jase entered his details and handed the phone back to Dean, who took a drink from his glass. “And changing the subject completely…. You and Chris.”
Jase stilled. “You make us sound like we’re an item. There isn’t a me and Chris.”
“But there could be,” Dean said quickly, his eyes sparkling.
Jase found it difficult to breathe. “What…. What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that you and Chris fit well together. I’m saying that judging by what I saw last night, if the two of you ever made it to a bed, you’d set the sheets alight. Forgive me for being blunt, but I see no point in beating about the bush. Life is too fucking short for that.” He leaned forward, his warm brown eyes focused on Jase’s face. “And don’t tell me you’re not interested, because I’m not blind.” He held up one hand. “Don’t tell me what’s stopping you, because obviously you’ve got some kind of mental obstacle that you can’t get over. Just push it aside and make a move.” He gave a lazy grin. “If someone had had the balls to say the same thing to me when I first met my husband, we’d have gotten together three years earlier than we actually did. But no, our friends thought it best to pussyfoot around and leave us to work it out for ourselves.” His grin widened. “Fortunately for you two, I’m not that kind of a friend.”
Jase snorted. “And you’re not on your own.” When Dean gazed at him inquiringly, Jase sighed. “This is the second time this week I’ve been told to get it in gear where Chris is concerned.”
Dean clapped his hands together. “Aha! It’s not just me, then. What more are you waiting for? A sign from on high?”
Jase was pretty sure he’d still be reticent even then, but with both Dean and Victoria telling him to do something, he was less convinced that his way was the right way.
Tonight. When his panel is over and it’s just us, away from the hotel and anyone who might want to talk to him… then I’ll say something.
Just what he was going to say, Jase hadn’t worked out yet.
Chapter Twelve
JASE’S fingers flew over the keys. Where are you? Lunch was over and he was free until Chris’s panel. And there was no sign of Chris anywhere.
Chris’s response was swift. In my room, working. A moment later another text popped up. Actually? You might be able to help me.
Anticipation trickled through him. Whatever Chris was working on, he’d been pretty cagey about it, and Jase’s curiosity was at peak levels. He hurried to the elevator, his mind racing. When he reached Chris’s door, he noted it was open, the catch preventing it from closing.
“Come on in,” Chris called out. Jase pushed open the door and entered the room
. Chris was sitting at the desk, his laptop in front of him. Chris glanced in his direction and sighed. “Hey.”
“So what is this supersecret project you’re working on?” Jase walked over to the desk and peered at the laptop. All he saw was the desktop. “Apparently too secret to show me.”
Chris pushed his chair back. “Okay. I need your help.”
Jase perched on the foot of the bed. “Hit me with it.”
“A friend in New York has offered me a one-night exhibition next May, as part of a weeklong charity event. I have until today to come up with my pitch. And it’s the pitch that’ll decide whether I get that night, so it has to be freaking awesome.”
Suddenly the desktop made sense. “You haven’t come up with a pitch yet.”
Chris sagged into his chair. “Exactly. I’ve been going over so many ideas since he called me Wednesday, but nothing leaps out at me.”
“You’ve been working on this since Wednesday, and I’m only hearing about it now?” Jase couldn’t help feeling a little hurt. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because you’re at your first con! You have panels. Meetings. You didn’t need me to add to all that.”
That soothed him a little. He was thinking of me. Jase folded his arms. “Then let’s put our thinking caps on and see what we can come up with. Two heads, and all that. What have you already rejected?” He listened as Chris counted off a string of ideas. They weren’t bad, but they weren’t fantastic either. Then a thought occurred to him. “You should play to your strengths.”
“I’d had the same thought.”
Jase nodded. “People. Stick with people.” Then it hit him. “Better yet… stick with men. Specifically, naked men.”
“Excuse me?” Chris blinked. “I can’t see Shane going for that.”
“It depends on how you pitch it.” The more Jase thought about it, the more he was entranced by the idea. “I’m visualizing men of all ages, all sizes, all naked, in varying moods. Pensive, jubilant, intimate….” He caught his breath. “Couples too. Throuples. Whatever. Take photos of real couples being intimate.”
