He’s gorgeous, more gorgeous than any pictures of him have been able to capture. His masterfully chiseled face would make any actor proud. His tousled dark hair is just slightly too long and frames his face in waves that make my heart ache. His blue eyes are hypnotic and beautiful. His clothes—jeans, a t-shirt and a black jacket accentuate his broad shoulders and a lean body that barely contains the energy radiating from within it.
I’m staring at him, rooted, unable to look away. The theater, the stage, the seats, his companion…everything suddenly disappears, leaving just the two of us.
It’s only for a few seconds, then he looks away and my heart starts to beat again. He turns first to his companion, and when the other man shakes his head, Aidan turns back to me.
“Hey.” The intense expression on his face relaxes into mild curiosity. He’s clearly wondering who I am, unaware that I’m the subject of his disparaging comments from a moment ago.
I’m still feeling unsteady, and I breathe, reminding myself of what he’d said about me, and willing my anger and resentment to return. Just who does he think he is?
He takes a few steps forward, descending toward the stage with long graceful strides. “I’m Aidan,” he says. One eyebrow quirks as he waits for me to respond.
I lift my chin. “I’m Liz McKay.”
I watch with satisfaction as realization hits him, then I turn around and walk away.
Backstage, a few workmen give me puzzled glances as I hurry past them. I’m disappointed, angry, humiliated, and hurt. I don’t even want to audition for Aidan Court’s stupid play anymore. I’d rather lose my nose than work with him.
I’m heading toward the stage door when I run into my dad.
“I was just looking for you. Are you ready for your big audition?” He sounds almost as excited as I’d been thirty minutes ago.
I walk past him without a word. I hate Aidan Court and I’m going home. He can go ahead and cast a new lead actress worthy of being in his play.
“What’s wrong?” My dad catches up with me. He sees my expression and his face softens. “Are you nervous? It’s only an audition. It’s not a big deal.”
“I want to go home.” I almost say the words, then I stop myself. I’m being stupid, and weak. This is my chance to start my career. Why should I throw it away because of an asshole like Aidan Court?
Why should I be the one to run away?
No, I’ll prove I’m the best actress for this role. I’ll show him how wrong he is about me and make him wish that he’d never dismissed me without giving me a chance.
Chapter Four
Aidan
“Awkward.”
Cruz is vibrating with merriment, but I’m not amused. I try to remember my exact words. Something about Disney specials and her audition being a waste of my time.
Damn. What was she doing here, anyway? The audition isn’t for another thirty minutes.
After spending the past hour reuniting with an acquaintance from college I barely recognized, but who had been almost too eager to cut short her lunch and spend the afternoon in bed with me, I’m supposed to be in a good mood.
Not anymore.
I’m Liz McKay.
The hurt pride I’d seen on her face flashes in my memories and I grimace, feeling guilty.
Why do I care?
She’s just another actress.
“Looks like you’ve made an enemy,” Cruz says, still laughing. “What’s a play without a little drama?”
He looks very pleased with himself at the pun. I scowl at him, but he’s unbothered.
“She hasn’t got the part yet,” I mutter, dismissing Liz from my mind. She won’t be my first enemy of the female variety. I’ve made plenty of those since prep school days. “What’s she going to do? Tell daddy to kick me off the project?”