Hollywood Flirt: Hollywood Name Game Book 2

by Alexa Aston

  Sydney found herself spellbound. She couldn’t stop staring. Then his head lifted slowly, and Dash DeLauria was in the room—for the first time. The transformation had ended.

  He went first to Regina and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Miss Stevens.” He gave her his trademark smile. Regina seemed flustered and knocked her iPad to the ground. Dash retrieved it and then moved down the line.

  “Good morning, Cassie,” he said. “I hope I did Paul justice.”

  Cassie released Sydney’s hand. “Yes. I’d say you did, Dash.”

  Then he was standing in front of Sydney. Her mouth was dry. Her tongue seemed to have swollen twice its size.

  “Hello, Sydney,” he said softly. His eyes locked on hers and held them.

  She couldn’t breathe. She gawked at him. Finally, she found her voice. “That was . . . exactly right,” she said.

  “Thank you.”

  “Mr. DeLauria, would you mind stepping into the next room for a few minutes?” Regina asked.

  “Sure.” He waited a few beats before he pulled his eyes from Sydney and sauntered out, looking more Dash-like than normal.

  Jayla closed the door after him. Sydney hadn’t seen the assistant return to the room.

  “If that’s not Paul Hannigan, I don’t know who is,” Jayla proclaimed. “He was downright scary.”

  “Get your notes down quickly. These impressions are important,” Regina said. “They may also be helpful to Monty as he tries to help interpret the character.”

  Sydney rested her fingers atop the keyboard a moment, then she began typing quickly. She poured her heart out. It no longer mattered what Dash had done. He shouldn’t be punished when he could bring Paul to life as he had.

  She finished and sat back in her chair, totally drained.

  Regina leaned over and powered down the camera that had been filming each audition. “I’ve only done this once in all my years in the business but I think we should cancel the rest of the auditions for the role of Paul. Move on and cast the rest of the film.”

  Cassie spoke up. “I don’t think we’ll see a better Paul, no matter how many actors come through that door. I don’t care if it’s one or a thousand and one. We’ve got our Paul.” She turned to Sydney, concern on her face. “What do you think?”

  “I’ve never seen a better match between actor and role. It would be a waste of time and money to continue the search.”

  “You’re sure you’re good with it?” Cassie asked.

  Sydney nodded. “I would like to suggest that we have Number Two back. I saw some raw talent there.”

  “For the crime lord’s son?” Regina asked.

  “I agree,” Cassie said. “I was already thinking that.”

  Regina stood. “That’ll clear our schedule for a week.” She looked at Jayla. “See about re-scheduling those reading for the Rachel Sturgis role. Might as well tackle that next.”

  “Are you going to tell Dad?”

  “I’ll show him Dash’s audition. He’ll know right away.”

  “Could I tell Dash that he got the part?” Sydney asked.

  Regina shrugged. “Have at it. Let him know I’ll contact his agent later today. Once we narrow it down to two or three Rachels, I’d like them to test together. On film. I’m always looking for the right chemistry.” She took the camera and tripod with her.

  “Sydney, do you really want to talk to Dash?” Cassie asked.

  “I think I need to for closure.” She leaned down and slipped his wallet from her tote. “Plus, I need to give this back to him.”

  Cassie touched her arm. “I’m about to go out on a limb here.”

  Sydney saw the pained expression on her friend’s face. “What’s wrong?”

  “I hate to meddle. I really shouldn’t get involved.” She sighed. “Dash stopped me on the way in this morning.”

  Sydney jumped to her feet, feeling flustered. “What did he say?” She watched Cassie hesitate. “Oh, no. He got to you. That charming asshole explained everything away and now you’re on his side.”

  “No,” Cassie said firmly. “You’re my home girl. I’d never betray you. I’m really good at reading people, though. I found him to be sincere.”

  Sydney snorted. “How did he explain away poking through my stuff after he’d worn me out sexually? How he used me to gain access to—”

  “He admitted he read through the storyboards,” Cassie interrupted. “He was very upfront and said he saw what it was and gave in to temptation. But Sydney, he didn’t go to your place with that in mind. He went because he likes you. He still does. I could see how worried he’s been.”

  “We just saw how great an actor he is, Cassie. He could’ve faked that interest.”

  “I don’t think so. He was upset. He knew he’d done some terribly wrong. Call me Crazy Cassie—but I think you need to hear him out. Maybe even give him another chance.”

  Sydney wished she could believe Dash was contrite for what he’d done but sidling up to Cassie in order to have her butter Sydney up? Nope. She wasn’t going there.

  “Oh, I’ll give him a chance, all right.”

  Sydney stormed from the room, her fingers tightening around Dash’s wallet. She was ready to shove it where the sun didn’t shine.

  CHAPTER 11

  Dash avoided looking at the two actors sitting in the room, poring over their pages. He retreated to the same chair as before, his hands on his knees, slowing his breathing in order to clear his mind.

  He’d aced the audition.

  He knew he had the role. They might test other actors but his heart told him he would be playing Paul Hannigan.

  He should be ecstatic.

  Dash fought to keep Sydney out of his mind but failed. She’d looked amazing just now. Her long hair was swept back in a low ponytail, revealing her perfect bone structure. She was wearing a mint green blouse under a navy blazer. She smelled terrific. Dash was glad he hadn’t seen her as he entered the audition room. If he had, he would’ve lost it.

  Instead, he walked in the door as Paul. He was aware of Sydney in his peripheral vision but kept his focus inward, becoming the man on the page. Every thought, every action, was Paul. After, it was as if he flipped a switch and felt himself returning to his body. That’s when he’d become aware of Sydney.

  He dropped his head into his hands and ran his fingers through his hair. Wondered how long Regina Stevens was going to make him wait. Wondered what the casting director would tell him. Maybe she’d notify him of the upcoming callback. He was certain he’d get it. Maybe Monty Revere would be present for that round.

  Dash smelled Sydney before she spoke. He looked up and saw she’d entered the room and was talking quietly to both actors. After a minute, the two men handed her their pages and left the room. Sydney came toward him. He stood, uncertainty filling him.

  She looked as if she wanted to say something to him but at the last minute she reined it in. Instead, she handed him his wallet. “You left this.”

  He slipped it into his back pocket. “Maybe I accidentally forgot it. So I’d have an excuse to come get it,” he teased, hoping a playful tone might thaw the cold in her voice.

  Her green eyes hardened. “Stop flirting, Dash. You don’t have to play me anymore. You got the role. No second or third callbacks. You’re Paul Hannigan. Regina will call your agent later today to confirm and set up contract talks. She’ll want you available to read once we’ve winnowed down our choice of Rachel to a few actresses but that’ll take some time. Unless we get lucky and hit the jackpot like we have with you.”

  She turned to go. Dash touched her shoulder. “Wait.” He dropped his hand as she faced him.

  Sydney’s eyes sparked with anger. “What? You want to give me the same sob story you gave Cassie, whatever that was.”

  “I didn’t give Cassie a story. I told her the truth. I made a terrible mistake when I opened that notebook the other night. An even bigger one when I started reading it. I didn’t even know what it was at f
irst and then I got sucked into it because of how good it was. You’re really talented, Sydney.”

  Dash saw his words had no effect on her. Maybe actions could speak louder than words.

  He closed the short gap between them and crushed her to him. He silenced her protest by thrusting his tongue in her mouth.

  Instant bliss.

  Dash kissed the resisting Sydney with everything he had. He could feel the script pages crinkling between them. She tried to jerk away but he held her in place. If she wouldn’t listen to what he had to say, she’d sure listen to what her body told her. His was screaming that they belonged together.

  He only hoped she realized the same thing.

  Gradually, he wore her resistance down. He sensed the moment she gave in and began kissing him back. Relief washed through him, competing with the heat that burned inside. He finally broke the kiss because he had to see her. He had to look in her eyes.

  He gazed at her and was upset to see doubt clouded her eyes.

  “You weren’t listening to me, Syd,” he said. “I had to talk to you the only way I knew how.”

  Her mouth trembled. “Fool me once, shame on you,” she said softly. “Fool me again, shame on me.”

  “You’re wrong,” he said harshly.

  She shook her head. “I told you that you got the role, Dash. You don’t owe me anything. Please, let me go.”

  “No,” he told her. “You don’t get it. Sure, I wanted this part more than I’ve wanted anything in my life. Until I met you. I want you, Syd. Whether I’m Paul Hannigan or not.”

  She frowned. “You’re saying that even if you’d missed out on this part in No Regrets, you’d still want to see me.”

  “Now you’re getting it.” He kissed her again, hard and fast.

  “What if I told you that it was either me or Paul?”

  “I don’t have to make that choice, but if I did?” He took her chin firmly in his hand so that she was forced to look straight into his eyes. “I’d walk away from the role if it meant you’d agree to see me. Spend time with me.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Dash released her and stormed out of the room. He marched back into the audition room and saw only Cassie there on her phone.

  “Where’s Regina?” he growled.

  Cassie put down her phone. “She went to talk with Monty.”

  “Dash!”

  He ignored Sydney’s voice calling after him and left the room. If he had to tear the place apart, he’d find who he was looking for. He couldn’t believe he was doing this. He was going to walk away from the role of a lifetime. For a woman.

  But that woman had snatched his heart. He had to give them a chance. Even if it meant professional suicide.

  “Dash! Wait!”

  He went through the den. The kitchen. A sunroom. Finally, he found Monty Revere’s office. Dash burst in without knocking.

  “Dash!” Monty called out. “Regina just showed me your audition tape. I’m dumbfounded. You blew the roof off, Son.”

  “I don’t want the part,” he said flatly.

  ◆◆◆

  Sydney caught up and heard Dash reject the part. What was he thinking? Paul Hannigan was a role Dash DeLauria was born to play. It would move him into an entirely new league in Hollywood.

  “Yes, he does,” Sydney said.

  Dash stared at her. Stubbornness tightened his jaw. “No. I don’t,” he repeated, his eyes locked on hers.

  She ignored their audience of two and focused on trying to fix the messy situation between them.

  “Playing Paul will be the challenge you’ve been looking for,” she told Dash. “You’ll move up to the highest echelon of the A-list. Your reputation will be secured. Your salary demands will be met. You won’t have to audition for future films. You’ll prove to Hollywood how much talent you have.”

  “I know.”

  “You’ll take the part?”

  “No.”

  Her dad cleared his throat. “Regina, we can continue this later. Make the calls we discussed.”

  The casting director scurried by and closed the door behind her.

  “You two,” her dad said. “Over here.” He stepped out from behind his desk and indicated the seating area near the window.

  Dash snatched Sydney’s hand and dragged her over to the sofa. He sat and yanked her down beside him.

  And kept her hand in his.

  “You can let go of my hand,” she ground out.

  He didn’t look at her. “No.”

  “We aren’t even dating,” she said, her exasperation surfacing.

  Dash turned and gave her a lazy smile. “We are now.”

  A thrill shot through her. Then frustration followed it. She had to make things right. She refused to be the cause of the worst career mistake of his life.

  Monty Revere took a seat and studied the pair. Then he said, “I met Monica when I was thirty-three. She’d been cast in a small but important role in the third movie I was directing. She was twenty-two and the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen. All day, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Even from across the set, if we looked at each other, sparks ignited and almost lit the soundstage on fire.”

  He took a quarter from his pocket and began rolling it across his knuckles. Sydney had seen him do this ever since she was a child. She never asked him why he did it. He never volunteered the reason he did.

  “After the first day of shooting, Monica came to me and told me that she couldn’t be in my movie. That I’d have to re-cast her role. When I asked her why, she said that she wanted to make it in Hollywood on her own merit. She didn’t want people saying she’d gotten the part just because she was Mrs. Monty Revere.”

  Sydney sat up. She’d never heard this story before.

  “I couldn’t speak. All I could do was grin at her. When I finally found my voice, I told her she was crazy. That this role was pivotal in the movie. It would be her breakout moment and make her career.”

  He smiled wistfully. “My baby told me she already felt like a star because of the way I looked at her.” He tossed the quarter in the air and caught it. “I still think she made a mistake. She would’ve been damned good in the part. By the time it came out a year later, we were already married. Birch was on the way. She found roles on her own. She became a star on her terms. With no help from me.”

  He slipped the coin back in his pocket. “Monica didn’t regret anything. I did, though.” He paused and looked at Dash. “Your audition was the best I’ve ever seen. You have more raw, untapped talent than I imagined. If you sacrifice this part over some crazy notion, it could make you bitter in the long run. That could poison whatever you think you might have with Sydney. Take the part, Son. Date my daughter if she agrees but be sure you treat her well. If fate wants you two to be together, it’ll last. If not and you wind up with a broken heart, at least you’ll be on solid ground professionally and won’t blame Sydney for pushing you away from the role you were meant to play.”

  Dash looked at her. “It all hinges on one question. Do you believe that I’m interested in you for you?”

  Sydney’s heard the anguish in his voice. She didn’t want him to throw away this huge opportunity because she thought he’d played her. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe in him. Her head still might have some trust issues but her heart told her his motives were pure.

  “Yes.” Then she added, “I’m interested in you, too.”

  No matter what happened between them from this point on, Sydney would always remember the intensity in Dash’s eyes at this moment. It took her breath away. He squeezed her hand in reassurance. A warm glow filled her.

  Dash faced her dad. “Then I’ve reconsidered, Mr. Revere. I’d be happy to take on the challenge of Paul Hannigan.”

  “Good.” Monty cleared his throat. “I know I’m overstepping here, Sydney, but I’m still your father and I’m going to say my piece.”

  She wondered where this was going.

 
Her father’s gaze bored into Dash. “This is my daughter, Mr. DeLauria. She is an incredibly special woman. You will be a gentleman and treat her well in every circumstance. You will be kind to her. Listen to her. You will be on time for any plans you make with her.

  “Most of all, plan to laugh with her. Laughter is a bond that brings a couple together. If you can laugh in each other’s company, you’ll be able to take on the world together.”

  Sydney saw Dash nodding in agreement. “I can do that—and more. I plan to make Sydney very happy.” He turned and gave her a crooked smile that caused her heart to skip a beat.

  She couldn’t help but think how different things might have been if her father had been in her life when she decided to marry Wake and had sat him down for this kind of talk. Most likely, Monty Revere would have seen through Wake and Sydney never would have married her ex. She and Wake hadn’t laughed together. Not like her parents always had.

  She wondered if Dash would be able to melt the ice she’d encased her heart in. That if their laughter might be the start of something real.

  Her dad looked at her. “I’ve got a question for you, Sydney. Do you think you could handle a professional relationship on the set with this young man?”

  “Of course, but we won’t have one. I’ve completed the storyboards. Once the cast is set, I’ll no longer be needed.”

  “Think again, Sydney, because I want you to serve as my first assistant director.”

  CHAPTER 12

  Surprise filled Sydney. No, shock.

  “I’m not qualified to be your AD, Dad.”

  “I disagree. Other than Cassie, you’ve got the best grasp on the material. When you walked me through your storyboards yesterday afternoon, I got caught up in your enthusiasm and passion for the project. Your boards already have given me exact ideas of how I want to shoot most every scene. I have a lot of trust in your gut instincts, Sydney, and that’s why I asked you to sit in on casting with Regina and Cassie.”