by Ally Blue
Oh well. No point in sitting here navel-gazing. He had a long day ahead. And a long night too. He’d finished the script for Inside, his latest film project, and gotten some sample footage with his camcorder, but it needed editing before he could put it up on Kickstarter. And he still needed to find his lead actor, which was proving to be a serious challenge.
Pushing to his feet, he scrolled through his contacts, found Carter’s number, and hit dial.
“Stay away from me, you bastard.” Solari stalked forward, her eyes glittering and her small hands fisted at her side. “If you ever come near me again, I’ll kill you.”
Rafael leaned back on the sofa and grinned over his copy of the script. “Perfect. I’d hate to be Max Fuhrman right now.”
Her face relaxed into a smile, though a single angry line remained stubbornly stuck between her eyes. “Thank you. I’m feeling inspired.”
By the fight with Gina, no doubt. Not that he was going to say that out loud.
He stood, leaving the script on the coffee table in Solari’s living room. “I think you’ve got that scene nailed down. Is there anything else you want to go over before I take off?” Say no. Please say no. He was itching to dig into edits on his sample footage before the night completely got away from him.
She shook her head. “No, you go. I need to go change anyway.”
“Oh. Okay.” He cast her a sidelong glance as he went to get his jacket from the coat closet beside the door. “You going out?”
“Maybe.”
Maybe, my butt. “Well, have fun. See you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Rafael. Good night.”
He shrugged on his jacket and opened the front door.
Nat the werewolf stood outside, his hand raised to knock.
Nat stared, frozen. He hadn’t expected to find Rafael at Solari’s place when he arrived to pick her up for their date. He wasn’t sure what to think.
He’s gay, remember? No reason to worry. Calm down.
Easier said than done. Especially when his nerves had been screaming ever since Solari had unexpectedly asked him out that morning, and he now found himself inches from a man who was even cuter than he remembered from earlier, and smelled nice too. He licked his lips, sifting through his suddenly blank mind for appropriate words.
A weird blend of irritation and pity slid through Rafael’s eyes—big, pretty, deep-brown eyes—before he smiled and held out his hand. “Hi, Nat. We meet again.”
“Uh. Yeah. Hi.” Nat reached out and shook Rafael’s hand, more from force of habit than anything else. After a whole day of picturing the moment he’d arrive at Solari’s apartment, this was so not how he’d imagined it. “I’m here to pick up Solari. We’re . . . um . . .”
The words dried up in his throat. He dropped Rafael’s hand, and they stared at one another, each taking the other’s measure in silence.
Solari rescued him before it got too awkward. “Nat, hi! Please, come in.”
Renewed anxiety sent his pulse galloping. He peered beyond Rafael’s shoulder. Solari smiled at him from what was clearly the doorway to her bedroom, and his knees wobbled. “Hi. You look beautiful.”
She laughed, and the sound was like bells. “You’re so sweet, but I haven’t even changed my clothes yet. Rafael, will you let him in, already?”
An angry look Nat didn’t get at all hardened Rafael’s soft, round features for a second. “Sure.” He stepped aside with a bland smile. “You kids have a great time. Night.”
Nat watched with a frown as Rafael strode out the door and shut it behind him. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Not at all. He’s in a bad mood.” Solari took Nat’s hand and pressed his fingers. “Have a seat. I’ll be ready in a moment.”
Her touch stole his ability to speak. Nodding, he stumbled to the nearest chair on rubbery legs and fell into it.
This is actually happening. I’m going out on a date with Solari Praveen. Me. Nathaniel Horn.
It didn’t make any sense. Part of him still half believed he’d wake up and find out the whole thing had been a dream. But in the meantime, he might as well enjoy it.
Solari emerged from the bedroom after a few minutes, wearing a long-sleeved, dark-red dress that clung to her body and swirled around her calves. He rose, dazzled and wishing he was one of those guys with the perfect words falling off his tongue all the time. He’d tell her she was a vision. A goddess. The smartest, cleverest, most stunning, most wonderful woman ever to grace the earth.
But he’d never been one of those men. He beamed his brightest smile. “I thought you looked gorgeous before, but, wow.”
“Thank you.” She walked up to him, her low heels clicking on the wooden floor. Smiling, she brushed her fingers over the lapels of the dark-gray suit jacket he’d bought especially for tonight. “You look very handsome yourself. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you in a suit. You should dress up more often.”
“Thanks.” He flicked imaginary lint off his sleeve and tried to pretend his face wasn’t a cherry red that matched her dress. He couldn’t decide if he was blushing because she’d complimented him, or because she’d evidently noticed him before today.
God, this was stupid. A twenty-six-year-old man shouldn’t feel like a teenager at his first boy-girl party. He’d dated plenty of women before. Why should Solari Praveen turn him into such an idiot?
Her expression turned sympathetic. “So. Shall we go? I’ve made reservations at Il Trovatore.”
Nat kept his mouth from falling open with an effort. Shit, an appetizer at that place probably cost more than he made in a week. “Oh. Uh, sure. Sounds great.”
“Oh, it is. Anna took me there when I first started on Wolf’s Landing, so she could discuss the character with me. The scallop fettuccini alfredo is wonderful.” She led him out into the chilly night air and locked the door behind her. “Don’t worry about the money. I asked you out, so I’m paying.” She pointed a mock-fierce finger in his face. “And don’t you dare tell me I can’t because I’m a woman. I have no patience for that sort of thing. Are we clear?”
He studied her face: her sparkling eyes, the teasing curve of her full lips, the way her black hair framed her features. She was perfect. He would never tell her what she could and couldn’t do, even if he were inclined. Which he wasn’t.
He grinned. “Crystal clear. Lead on, milady.”
Laughing, she tucked her hand in the curve of his elbow. “I like you, Nat.”
“Mutual, Solari.” He choked the words out past the tangle of terror and elation lodged in his throat, but if she noticed, she didn’t let on.
Together, they strolled along the sidewalk to the restaurant.
Nat wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but the hours that followed weren’t it.
He and Solari talked and talked and talked some more at the restaurant, until their waiter started shooting them barely veiled dirty looks as they hovered over the empty table. So he’d suggested coffee and dessert at Stomping Grounds, and they’d lingered over caramel cake and French press coffee there for another hour and a half. Conversation with her came so easily. He hadn’t felt such an instant kinship with anyone in . . . well, ever, really. But it didn’t feel like he’d thought it would. It felt more like finding a long-lost sister. Or a best friend he’d never met before now. Which confused him, after so many months of crushing on her.
By the time he walked her back to her apartment at nearly midnight, he was so mixed up he had no clue what to say, or how to act. In his heart of hearts, he’d hoped he might eventually find someone to be with. That he might have a life beyond work and taking care of his father. He’d always known, deep down, that she wasn’t the one, but . . . but, but, but.
But she was a dream. And now she’s a person.
How pathetic was it that he didn’t know what to do with that?
Solari stopped outside her door and gave a happy sigh. “I’ve had a wonderful time tonight, Nat. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you
for paying my way,” he said. She laughed, and he smiled around the hollow place in his chest. “I had a great time too.”
Silence fell. She peered up at him with a strange, assessing expression on her face. Like she could see through his skull. His heartbeat hammered in his ears. Please don’t kiss me.
The thought was so opposite from how he’d felt a few hours ago, he almost laughed.
She glanced away, one hand opening the zipper on her purse. When she looked up again, her keys in her hand and a knowing sympathy in her eyes, he knew she’d figured him out. “I like you very much, Nat. I think we can be great friends. Don’t you agree?”
He nodded, relief and sorrow and happiness tangled into a choking knot in his throat. “For sure.”
She smiled. The sight still sent a zing through his blood, though it was less sharp than before. When she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him, the longing ache that had been fading all night eased a little bit more.
This wasn’t what he’d hoped for, another lifetime ago at the beginning of the evening. But maybe it was better.
He slept badly, woke up late, and arrived on set Tuesday morning barely in time for makeup. Suz took one look at his face and for once in her life got to work without asking any questions. Nat was relieved. In the space of a day, Solari had transformed from dream girl to real-life friend. It was gorgeous and sad at the same time, and left him with a hopeless tangle of mixed feelings he couldn’t even begin to sort out. The thought of talking it all over with Suz during makeup made him shudder.
Suz worked fast. Barely an hour later, Nat left the trailer transformed into his werewolf alter ego. With fifteen extra minutes before he was supposed to be on set, he decided to take a chance and head over to see Solari. Now that he’d had some time to think, he wanted to make sure she knew he’d gotten over his crush on her. He didn’t want that to come between them.
He slowed his pace when he heard Solari’s voice from inside her trailer. It took him a second to realize she was talking on the phone. He couldn’t make out what she was saying, but her tone was sharp with anger. He lingered out of sight, wondering what to do. Hanging around felt a little creepy, even though he wasn’t really trying to listen.
He’d nearly made up his mind to head on over to the set and try to catch up with her later, when footsteps crunched over the gravel surrounding the trailer. By the time he realized the sound was coming toward him, it was too late to pretend he hadn’t been lurking.
Rafael rounded the end of the trailer and stopped cold when he saw Nat. “Nat. Hi.”
“Hi.” Nat shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and hunched his shoulders. “I came to talk to Solari, but . . .” He trailed off. The one-sided argument coming through the wall spoke for itself.
“Oh. Yeah, that’s . . . Um. They fight on the phone pretty much every day.”
Okay. Nat frowned. “Who’s she fighting with?”
Rafael regarded him with the air of someone trying to make up his mind. “Look, I know this is none of my business. But Solari isn’t really available.”
Nat stared. “Huh?”
“I mean, she’s already seeing someone. She’s in a long-term relationship.”
Guess that answers my question. Nat let out a soft laugh. “Thanks for letting me know. But it doesn’t matter. We sort of decided we’re friends, not anything else.”
Surprise and relief flowed through Rafael’s dark eyes. “Oh. Well. Good, then. That’s good.”
“So you thought she was playing me? And you wanted me to know the truth?”
Rafael’s cheeks flushed pink. “Like I said, I know it’s not my business. But it’s not right for her to take advantage of your feelings like that. I mean, I’m glad it didn’t turn out that way, but. Yeah.” He rubbed a hand over the short hair at the back of his head and peered at Nat with a sheepish half smile.
A sudden attraction zipped across Nat’s nerve endings. Flustered Rafael was too damn cute. Nat grinned as best he could with the prosthetics on. “Thanks for looking out for me. Even if you didn’t really need to.” The words emerged slightly growly, the way they always did when he had in his wolf fangs.
“No problem.” Rafael tilted his head sideways. His eyes narrowed. “Are you gonna keep dating her?” He bracketed dating with air quotes.
“I wouldn’t call it dating, but I guess we’ll keep hanging out.” Nat scanned Rafael’s face, trying to figure out what his deal was. “Why does it matter? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”
It was all Nat could do not to roll his eyes. Rafael might as well have I’m lying BeDazzled on his forehead.
“Okay, then.” Nat patted Rafael’s arm. “Don’t worry so much, Rafael. I don’t think I’m going to be a threat to her boyfriend. Or whoever.”
A strange expression crossed Rafael’s features. “Uh . . .”
Before Nat could decide what that meant, the alarm popped up on his phone, reminding him he needed to be on set in a few minutes. “I gotta go. I’m due on set. Tell Solari I said hi, okay? See you later.”
“Yeah. See you.”
He walked away, heading for the set. He didn’t look back, but he could feel Rafael watching him.
Normally, he hated being stared at. He tended to imagine ax murderers rather than admirers. This time, though, he didn’t mind. Partly because he wasn’t immune to good-looking men, but mostly because his brain was occupied with what Rafael had said, and even more with what he hadn’t said. He obviously knew some sort of secret. Nat was dying to know what it was.
He couldn’t help laughing at himself, despite the weird sidelong glances it earned him from the other cast and crew hurrying by. At least he’d shed the helpless, hopeless ache that had held him captive for months. Plus he’d gotten a new friend out of it, which was cool. He’d never made friends easily, and it was a relief to know he could develop an instant rapport with someone, particularly somebody as famous and—face it—out of his league as Solari.
While he made his way to the set, he thought about why she hadn’t told him she was in a relationship. He figured he knew. She’d asked him out, plus he’d heard her arguing with her person—boyfriend? girlfriend? Nat had no clue—which meant all must not be well between them.
Shit. He’d almost been the Other Man. So not good.
Duh. That’s what Rafael was trying to save you from.
The mental image of Rafael, all embarrassed and blushing, made Nat smile. The man might be a buttinski, but his heart was in the right place. And he really was awfully cute.
Nat was only a few steps short of the set when his cell phone vibrated. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. Maybe he could let it go to voice mail.
It was his father.
Fuck.
He almost ignored it anyway. His dad never called him for anything good, and rarely for anything important.
But the memory of his father’s injury and the constant fear of another one made Nat swipe Answer. “What’s up, Dad?”
“Nat. I need you to do something for me.”
“I’m at work. You know that.” He stopped and lowered his voice, even though he was nowhere near the entrance to the indoor set. “I’ll help you out if it can wait.”
Silence. Ragged breathing came through the phone. “For how long?”
“Until I’m off today. At least six tonight, I guess.”
“I can’t wait that long.”
Christ. Frustrated, Nat rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I’m sorry, but you’re gonna have to wait, ’cause I can’t just leave work for . . .” He stopped, realizing he didn’t know. “What do you need, exactly?”
Another stretch of tense quiet. A familiar dread coiled in Nat’s stomach. He had a feeling he knew what he was about to hear.
“I’m out of Vicodin,” his dad said, confirming Nat’s hunch. “And Dr. Takoda wouldn’t give me a refill. He called in something else instead. I can’t remember wh
at, but he said it’s not as strong. That’s no good, Nat. I need you to get me some more Vicodin.”
Nat closed his eyes. “No.”
“Nat—”
“I said no.” Opening his eyes again, Nat pushed his free hand into his jeans pocket so he couldn’t pinch the bridge of his nose or run his fingers through his hair or do anything else to mess up Suz’s hard work. “What the hell do you expect me to do, Dad? Do you think I’m gonna go to the ER or something and tell them my fucking back hurts and hope they’ll give me a prescription so I can hand the meds over to you?”
“You could.”
His father’s voice sounded so hopeful. It made Nat angry and sad. “No, I couldn’t. Even if I could, I won’t.”
“Please, son. Please. I’m hurting so bad.” Pleading now. Tears in his voice.
God, Nat was so damn tired of it all. “I’m sorry you’re hurting. I really am. But I’m not gonna help you get more drugs you shouldn’t have. You take way too many as it is. That’s why you keep running out early. And that’s probably why Dr. Takoda’s giving you something different this time.” He drew a deep breath, his throat tight and aching. “You need me to go pick up your new prescription?”
A put-out sigh floated through the phone. “No. Mrs. Hawk’s doing it.”
Thank God for small favors. “Okay, good. The heating pad’s under the bathroom sink. Try that. Take some ibuprofen in the meantime, or a Flexeril. Try to relax. Call and make an appointment with the doc to talk over your pain control plan. If I can’t take you, I’ll find someone who can. Okay?”
“All right.” Voice low, expressionless, defeated. When he spoke like that, Nat was never sure whether it was real or a guilt trip. “See you tonight.” The phone clicked off.