Hollywood & Vine

by Olivia Evans

  Josie hopped down and scrambled to yank on her shirt, then grabbed her skirt, her hands shaking as she pulled it on. Anders managed to get his pants on before Owen rounded the corner with two girls.

  As soon as his eyes landed on Anders, his smile vanished. “Oh shit.” His gaze slid over to Josie and he finally understood why Anders had put forth so much effort.

  “What the fuck, Owen?” Anders snapped, pushing Josie behind him and out of view, partly because he didn’t like the way Owen was looking at her and partly because he recognized one of the girls with Owen. “I forgot. Damn, Anders, I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, I can see why it would’ve slipped your mind.” His voice was clipped as his eyes flicked over to the model he recognized.

  “Anders Ellis.” She smiled, her eyes focused on his chest. “Who’s your friend?”

  Anders stiffened. The one thing he tried to avoid was someone finding out about Josie and it happened anyway. “None of your fucking business.” Josie took a step away from Anders, the hard edge to his voice sending a chill down her spine.

  “Wow, you don’t have to be mean. I was only curious what she’d done to deserve all this.” She waved her hand around the kitchen covered in empty food containers and bottles of wine.

  “And you’re not important enough to ask those kinds of questions. So, like I said before, mind your own fucking business.”

  “I should go,” Josie whispered. She moved to the other side of the kitchen and grabbed her purse, avoiding the watchful eyes of the two girls.

  Anders spun around. “What? No. Wait.”

  Josie shook her head, her stomach in knots. She didn’t know if it was because of how adamant Anders was about not answering questions about her or the way he spoke to the girl, but she wanted to get out of that room and away from everyone in it.

  “We can leave,” Owen offered, looking between Anders and Josie.

  “No, not necessary.” Josie looked at Anders. “I’ll see you.”

  Anders stared at her―nostrils flared and eyes narrowed―his body and mind at war. He wanted to go after her, stop her from leaving and ask why she looked like she’d seen a ghost. Still, his feet remained planted by the part of his mind that demanded he remained indifferent. He couldn’t run after her. He couldn’t show weakness. He couldn’t give the other people in the room the impression he cared one way or the other if she left. Because he didn’t care. He didn’t.

  As Josie stared at the ceiling above her bed, her phone chimed for what seemed like the hundredth time since the night before. Anders had called less than thirty minutes after she left, and it seemed he had no intention of stopping until she answered. But Josie didn’t want to answer. She didn’t want anything to do with him.

  Regret washed over her as she thought about the night before and the personal things she’d shared. She’d been around his type enough to know that he’d say anything to get what he wanted. Even though she admitted to needing to fuck him out of her system, after last night, she wasn’t sure it was the best idea. She felt too exposed.

  Josie groaned when the phone chimed again. She snatched it off the nightstand, expecting another text from Anders, but it wasn’t. It was Madison.

  I have coffee and booze. Open the door.

  “Shit.” Josie stumbled out of bed and jogged to open the front door. Bright sunlight flooded the room, matching Madison’s megawatt smile as she skipped inside.

  “I thought you’d need one or the other, but it looks like both are going to be necessary.” Madison walked into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of Jameson from the cabinets. The smell of whiskey hit the air as Madison poured a shot into each coffee then topped the drinks off with Baileys.

  “It’s a little early for whiskey, isn’t it?” Josie asked, eyeing the cup on the counter.

  “Are you going to tell me why you look like you haven’t slept? And why you don’t have even a hint of a thoroughly-fucked glow?”

  “I’m not going to ask how you can recognize my thoroughly-fucked glow because I might throw myself into oncoming traffic. And you’re right—this is a perfect time for whiskey. Come on. Bring the bottle. Let’s go into the living room.”

  Madison set the whiskey on the table and got comfortable in her usual chair as Josie did the same on the sofa. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, where both were content to drink the doctored coffees, Josie told Madison about her date.

  “So he just let you leave?”

  “Yeah, and honestly, I’m glad he did.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Maddie, he was so mean. Like, I know he’s an asshole, okay? I’ve seen it firsthand. But with all our arguments and bickering, even when he was a complete dick, I knew it was because I pushed his buttons. With that girl? I almost felt sorry for her.”

  Madison snorted, shaking her head in disgust. “Don’t feel sorry for that girl. She’s obviously aware of Anders and his reputation. She should have expected his reaction. She’s either stupid or she was provoking him.”

  “None of that matters now anyway. He wanted a date and we had a date.”

  “Did I pour too much whiskey in your coffee? Because there’s no way you believe that’s the end of it.”

  “But I do,” Josie said, setting her coffee on the table and leaning forward until her elbows rested on her knees. “You didn’t see the way his entire demeanor changed when we were no longer alone. He looked like a cornered animal. Maddie, he hid me behind him. No matter how much he wants to sleep with me, his need to keep me a secret is greater.”

  “You haven’t heard from him then?”

  Josie looked down and rolled her eyes. “Oh, I have. He’s texted and called nonstop.”

  Madison blew out a breath. “I don’t understand that guy, Josie. He’s a walking contradiction, at least where you’re concerned. One thing I’m sure of though, your date didn’t end as either of you expected. I’m not so sure he’s going to let whatever it is between the two of you go just yet.”

  “Can we just…can we go do something? I need a break from all this.”

  Madison nodded and stood. “Go get dressed. We’ll go look at buildings with Holden.”

  “Meet you in thirty?”

  “Sure thing. See you in a bit.”

  Josie eyed her phone as she walked into the closet but didn’t pick it up. She needed time to clear her head without Anders clouding her judgment, and spending time with Madison and Holden was the perfect solution.

  Anders, however, spent the rest of his weekend doing nothing but thinking about Josie. But short of getting her address and showing up at her house, there wasn’t anything else he could do.

  “Anders?”

  “Shit!” Anders jerked upright on his couch, the sound of Nathan’s voice so close it made his heart pound. “Don’t you ever knock?”

  “Whoa, what’s your problem? In all the years I’ve been your agent, when have I ever knocked?”

  Anders scowled. “I’m not sure, but it’s something you should look into.”

  “And you need to look into renewing your gym membership if you’re going to keep blowing off your personal trainer.” Nathan looked around the room, taking in the empty beer cans and chip bags. “You have some challenging scenes coming up. Why haven’t you worked out?”

  “Because I hate it?” Anders hadn’t intended to blow off his Saturday session, but Josie’s radio silence had resulted in drinking more than he should.

  “No excuse.” Nathan handed Anders a folder and sat on the couch.

  “What’s this?”

  “It’s your hotel and travel itinerary when you go on location week after next. You need to hit the gym as much as possible between now and then. They’ve only set aside two weeks for these scenes. You need to get it right the first time.”

  Anders read over the flight information, his brow lifting in surprise when he noticed the destination. “When did this happen?”

  “The location change from Nevada to Arizona? I’m not sure.
Maybe this was always the plan to keep the location secret.”

  Anders nodded. “What kind of hotel is this?”

  “It’s not a hotel. It’s an inn. Privately owned. The studio has booked the entire place for the cast and crew.”

  “So I’m staying in some dump with the same people who make my coffee? What the fuck, Nathan?”

  “Unbelievable,” Nathan muttered, pinching his eyes shut. “No, Anders, you’ll be in a cottage at the back of the inn. It’s away from everyone but still close enough that someone can bring you anything you might need.”

  Anders nodded, somewhat mollified before a thought hit him. “Is Josie going?”

  “Who?”

  “Josie. Ms. Bane.” At Nathan’s blank stare Anders ground his teeth in frustration. “The Costume Supervisor, Nathan. Is she going?”

  “How would I know? People from wardrobe will be there, but whether she’s coming specifically I don’t know.”

  “Well, she has to. Do whatever you did last time, but make it happen.” Anders’ voice held that familiar tone of superiority, the one that left no room for argument.

  Nathan cast a fleeting glance around the room before returning his attention to Anders. “You want to tell me what this is about?”

  “You know what it’s about. After all the screws ups with wardrobe, I want reassurance someone capable will be there to fix any problems.”

  Nathan hummed. “I didn’t believe you the first time you gave that excuse and I believe you even less now. Mistakes happen. Of all the movies you’ve done, you’ve never demanded a specific person for every fitting. Now, I’ll ask again. What’s the real reason?”

  A different day and Anders might have answered. Had things played out differently Friday night, or had Josie called, then maybe Anders would’ve responded better. Instead, Nathan received the brunt of Anders’ frustrations. “No, I don’t want to tell you what is going on. I want you to do what I pay for, and that’s making sure I get what I want. And what I want is Josie Bane on location for this shoot. Are we clear?”

  Nathan clenched his jaw and stood from the couch. There was only so much he would let slide before snapping back. “Crystal.”

  The next morning, Anders walked into his trailer with a sense of unease. He scrubbed his hands down his face and poured a cup of coffee, trying to keep busy.

  “Hey, Anders.” Josie smiled and walked into the room, the door falling closed behind her. Anders spun around, his eyes wide with surprise. She walked casually to the clothes rack and removed the items for the day’s scenes. “You’ve got a long day ahead, huh?” She removed the garments’ tags as she continued to ramble. “I have a busy afternoon, so if it’s not too much trouble, can you to try on both outfits now? If that’s not okay, I’ll send an intern by when you’re ready.”

  “What are you doing?” Anders’ tone reflected his confusion by her breezy demeanor.

  Josie looked up, a fake smile stretched across her face. “What do you mean? I’m getting your clothes ready.”

  “No.” Anders shook his head in defiance. “You know what I’m talking about.”

  Josie stared blankly, her expression not giving away the storm brewing inside her. The one she fought to contain with every ounce of self-control she possessed. “Um―”

  “Why didn’t you call or text me back? I tried to reach you all weekend. I thought you were pissed. Then you walk in here like Mary fucking Sunshine without a care in the world.”

  Josie blinked, desperate to maintain her facade. She was Mary fucking Sunshine and she didn’t have a care in the world. At least that was what she kept telling herself.

  “I’m sorry.” Her apology sounded more like a question than a statement. Her indifference pushed Anders to his limit.

  “Why? Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Well,” Josie began, crossing the room and handing him a shirt. “I didn’t want to. The way I see it, you asked for one date, I agreed, we had said date, end of story. What’s left to say?”

  The sense of unease plaguing Anders bottomed out and twisted inside him. Something was wrong, and it was bad. “There’s plenty left to say. ‘End of story’?” he mocked, balling his fist around the shirt and straightening his back. “No. We’re not done yet.”

  Josie swallowed around the lump lodged in her throat. “Yes, we are. Or was that a lie too?”

  “Was what a lie? What do you mean ‘too’?” He threw the shirt on the floor and cupped her face with both hands, his eyes wild. “Ivy, what happened?”

  “Anders, don’t throw your clothes on the floor. What would people think if your outfit is still messed up when the Costume Supervisor dresses you?” She stooped to pick up the shirt, pulling in a deep breath once the contact between them broke.

  “Answer me.”

  “I don’t have time for this. We had our date. It was great. But Craig has been assigned two new movies and I need to focus on them. Can we just… I need things to go back to normal now.” Her voice had taken on an almost pleading tone by the time she finished speaking.

  “Our date was ‘great’?” he scoffed. “What was great about it, Josie? Because the date I remember ended with us being interrupted and you running out the door. That is not how I intended our date to end. So no, nothing is finished.”

  The anger she tried to contain and the mask she’d carefully constructed crumbled at his domineering tone. “Why? Because it didn’t end the way you expected? I thought it wasn’t about just fucking me anymore.” Josie’s face twisted with anger as she shook her head. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you lied.”

  “Oh, here we go.” Anders laughed, his voice hard and angry. He clapped his hands and rubbed them together before throwing his arms wide. “There you are. Let’s hear it. Tell me, Ivy, what have I lied about?”

  Her jaw snapped shut. Defiance clenched her fists and drew her mouth into a thin line. All she had to do was stay calm, do her job, and get out. She was foolish to believe it would be that simple. Anders had the master key and location to every one of her buttons and he pushed them every chance he got.

  “I need to go.” She moved toward the door, but Anders stopped her before she took two steps.

  “Oh, no. You don’t get to call me a liar and walk out the door. That’s not how this is going to go down.”

  “I’ve had it with you telling me how things are going to go. You’re not my boss, or my friend, and we sure as hell aren’t dating. You don’t date, remember?”

  Anders cocked his head to the side. The tone of her voice and her word choice caused him to pause. His shoulders relaxed and his brows dipped as he repeated the words in his head. Twice she’d used the word liar. He swallowed hard, his heart pounding as he wondered what she might have heard. “What does me not dating have to do with anything? Is that what this is about? You want to date?” His voice was softer, not a hint of sarcasm. It was genuine, curious.

  Josie’s mouth fell open in shock. “Of course I don’t want to date you! My God, just when it seems impossible for you to be any more conceited, you manage to prove me wrong.”

  “Ivy,” he sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets and shrugging. “We can stay here all day. I’m not budging until you tell me what’s going on.”

  “You’re due on set soon. You can’t stand here like a stubborn child until you get your way.”

  Anders lifted his brow, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. “Pot, kettle, Ivy. Pot. Kettle.”

  Josie realized he wasn’t going to let her leave without confessing what she’d seen Sunday morning. Even if it made her look pathetic and weak, the sooner she came clean, the sooner she could leave. “Have you looked at the gossip sites, Anders?”

  He tucked his chin, his expression confused. He hadn’t done anything that would warrant the gossip sites to report on him. Hell, he’d become celibate since deciding to pursue Josie. “No, why would I?”

  Josie licked her lips and something tightened in her chest. Of course he wouldn’t
bother to look. She wasn’t important. “Never mind. This is stupid. I’m being stupid. But since I already look like a fool, I might as well ask what’s been driving me crazy since I saw the pictures―”

  “What pictures?” Anders interrupted, his confusion turning to anger.

  “Pictures of you on a double date with Owen. Pictures taken the same night you texted me for a date, but not for a public date like the one you were on. No, a private one, so no one would see you with me.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” Anders laughed, his voice incredulous. “I haven’t been on a date.”

  His condescending tone was not the smartest approach when Josie already felt vulnerable. The moment she’d seen the pictures of him smiling with a pretty brunette wrapped in his arms, it set her on fire. It was a feeling she’d never experienced, and it took her completely by surprise.

  The pictures showed Anders smiling as the girl kissed his cheek, then a short article speculating about the elusive Anders Ellis settling down. It wasn’t something Josie had ever considered. It wasn’t even something she wanted or expected. But to be hidden like a dirty secret when he was in public with another girl days earlier? Well, it didn’t matter if she was being irrational. He hurt her feelings. He made her feel stupid.

  “I just don’t understand why you bothered,” she continued, ignoring his comment. “You wanted to have sex with me. I knew that going in. Why pretend it was something more? You obviously have someone you don’t mind taking out in public. Was this punishment for making you work for it? Was it a game? Or am I just not good enough in your eyes?”

  Anders stepped forward and clamped his hand over her mouth. “You need to stop. Now.” His voice was low and even as he paused between each word to drive his point home. “I. Have. Not. Been. On. A. Date. I have no idea what pictures you’re talking about. I had dinner with Owen the night when you agreed to a date. And the only kind of punishment I’ve ever imagined involves us naked and very happy.”