by HJ Bellus
“Everybody ready to take a little walk?” Dex asks.
“Why the fuck not?” Holt says sourly.
Danny shoots him a glance but says nothing.
“Sure,” I chirp. “Let’s go.”
We exit the hotel out the main entrance. The Plaza is gorgeous. I’ve never stayed anywhere this fancy. We follow Dex across the street into the park. True to his word, he’s finished in thirty minutes. We return to the hotel and Dex wants to get some shots of us drinking coffee in the restaurant.
Holt grumbles and then says, “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Why don’t you make it tea? Don’t they serve tea here? Maybe add a biscuit or something.”
Dex looks extremely uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Mr. Ward, but if I don’t get enough shots, everyone will want to bring you back together. It’s best we get everything now while we’re here.”
An impossibly long sigh roars out of him. Jeez, you’d think Dex was asking him to pull his fingernails out, one by one, with the way he’s acting.
Smiling, I say, “I’m fine with whatever you decide, Dex.” I decide to be the one to make his job less difficult.
“Go on there, Little Miss Sexpot, score some brownie points while you can.”
What the fuck! I totally expect Danny to step up and say something, but he’s such a wimp, he acts like he didn’t hear a thing. Well, I won’t stand for that. I’ve had enough of Holt’s surly act.
“Holt, I’m sorry you don’t like the fact I was cast in this role, but that does not give you the right to insult me.”
A nasty grin curls his lip. He lowers his eyes and they skim over my body. I instantly feel dirty.
“Is that right?” Then he takes a step toward me and invades my personal space. He leans in close and whispers so that only I can hear him. “What I’d like to know is how someone like you got cast in a film with me. What did you do, Midnight? Did you put that hot mouth of yours around Danny’s dick and do him a few dirty favors?”
A red ball of fury nearly blinds me. I’m not sure how to respond to this asshole without sinking to his level. I do know one thing: I haven’t encountered someone this vicious in a long time. It takes me back to a time I can barely force myself to think about.
Shaking myself out of that memory, I grit out, “Step away from me, Holt.” When he doesn’t, I walk away, toward Dex, and ask him where he needs me.
“Why don’t we get a table at the restaurant,” he suggests.
On the way, I question how I am going to tolerate working closely with Holt for the duration of the film. The man is revolting.
Once seated, the three of us smile as if we’re the happiest people around. I cover up my dislike for Holt by pretending I’m in a happy place. But I notice the icy glint in his blue eyes, the disdain imprinted on his expression. The curl of his lip that I used to think was sexy I now only see as cruel. Dex is quick, and soon, the session is wrapped.
Danny, who finally takes his eyes off his phone, asks, “So, what are you two up to tonight?”
Holt mutters something about meeting friends. I hardly pay attention. My mission is to stay as far away from him as possible.
“Midnight? What about you? You interested in grabbing a bite to eat?”
“Sure. What time?”
“I’m all about early. Is six okay?” he asks.
When I check the time, I see it’s already five thirty. “That’s fine. I’ll meet you back down here then. Do we need a reservation?”
“No. There’s a great place right around the corner.”
Dinner with Danny turns out to be great. One-on-one, he’s very outgoing and friendly. I decide to take a chance and ask about Holt.
“It seems Holt isn’t very excited about my role in the film.”
Danny nods. “He wanted his main squeeze. That’s how Holt is. Every time he makes a film, he pushes for his girl of the moment to be cast as the lead female actor. I keep telling him his women don’t have any experience.”
“I hope I’m not overstepping, but what made you choose me?” My curiosity is killing me.
“I don’t mind telling you at all. Your presence on-screen is unreal. When we looked at your screen tests, we were blown away. And you were the perfect fit for Christine. Your hair, your eyes, your stature. You were born for the role. Don’t worry about Holt. He does this to everyone he works with—tries to intimidate them. Don’t let him. Ignore him. He’ll get over it as soon as he works with you a couple of days and catches your emotion on the set.”
“That’s comforting, but he makes me want to punch his face.”
Danny takes a sip of his bourbon. “Yeah, I get that from all the women who work with him at first. He’s an asshole. What can I say? But wait until you watch the finished product. You’ll be raving about him then. Especially when you see your bank account.”
“Good to know.” Admittedly, Danny’s calmed me down about Holt. We finish dinner and he invites me to go for a drink. I’m more than a little leery about this.
“Midnight, I’m not into sleeping with my actors, if that’s what’s holding you back. I don’t believe in that shit. It spoils a good working relationship.”
“I did hear that about you.” I checked him out before I agreed to take this role. After you’ve worked in the porn industry, you think everyone’s out for one thing.
“So?”
“Sure, why not?”
We hop into a taxi and go to a really cool club. Danny grew up in Manhattan so I’m comfortable with him leading the way. We dance, have a couple more drinks, and I excuse myself to use the restroom.
When I return, I can’t find Danny. Then I spy him out on the dance floor with someone. I’m alone at the bar, when a nice-looking guy approaches and asks me to dance. We weave our way through the throng and claim a piece of the real estate. He’s not bad but I know how to move. I used to imitate my mom, who was a stripper, so my exotic-dancer skills are pretty damn good.
Not wanting him to get the wrong impression of me, I tone it down and move like everyone else does, swaying my hips to the beat.
A few songs later, we walk back to the bar and he leaves. Danny returns with his new friend and introduces us. She recognizes my name from some TV work I did. She gets excited and we chat. Then he leans in and asks if I mind taking a taxi back to the hotel alone. I’m cool with that. I guess he got himself a hookup for the night.
The guy I danced with, who says his name is John, returns.
“How about I buy you a drink?”
One more can’t hurt. I’m only slightly buzzed. “Sure, why not?”
“So, what’s you’re poison?”
“I’ll have a vodka tonic with extra lime.” I figure after this one, I’ll have the guy out front grab me a cab. As I wait for my drink, I take in the scenery. John hands me the glass and I sip the tasty concoction. We chat a bit, but then halfway through, I’m not feeling so hot. The room tilts and I get dizzier by the second. I begin to sweat and feel sick.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asks.
“No. I think I need to leave.” But I’m not sure I can make it to the door.
He takes my arm and says, “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.” He quickly ushers me outside as I slur the words, “The Plaza,” and my mind goes blank after that.
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Acknowledgments
I want to thank you for taking the time to read this book. It means the world to me. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude.
Marlee’s story was a very difficult one to write. The idea of the story hit me while up in the mountains at a family ranch house. Actually, it was the place where I married my high school sweetheart. The scenery is breathtaking and it’s one of those places you can feel the power of the universe beat in your soul. It made me appreciate everything I have in my life and realize in the same instance how it could all be taken away.
Marlee did live two
of the greatest love stories. She never grew bitter, instead cherished what those love stories left behind for her.
I’d like to thank Lydia Harbaugh. She’s my best friend, sister-in-law, and pain in my ass. She loves to highjack my Facebook talking about my itchy ass. Her other past time is boning my brother. But in all seriousness, she’s the best person I could ask to be on my team.
Thanks again to all!
Love,
HJB
Playlist-
Weak by AJR
Tin Man by Miranda Lambert
Mixed Drinks About Feelings by Eric Church
My Way by Calvin Harris
Heartache on the Dance Floor by Jon Pardi
Lean On Me by Bill Withers
The Ones That Like Me by Brantley Gilbert
It Ain’t My Fault by Brothers Osborne
Fix a Drink by Chris Janson
Round Here Buzz by Eric Church
You Look Good by Lady Antebellum
Greatest Love Story by LANCo
No Such Thing as a Broken Heart by Old Dominion
Ugly Lights by Miranda Lambert
Tomboy by Miranda Lambert
What Ifs by Kane Brown
Pushin’ Time by Miranda Lambert
This is Gospel by Panic! At the Disco
Whiskey and You by Chris Stapleton
Without a Fight by Brad Paisley feat. Demi Levato
A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega by Ashley McBryde
All on Me by Devin Dawson
Hound Dog by Elvis Presley
Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran
When You Say Nothing At All by Keith Whitley
Kiss an Angel Good Morning by Charley Pride
He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones
Marry You by Bruno Mars
Slow Hands by Niall Horan
