True, she’d love to spend time with him, just because. For no reason other than wanting to get him to open up to her again, see how he was doing. How his headaches were, if he still needed his glasses. But he didn’t want to give her that kind of privilege and she accepted it. She did, however, need his author’s insight.
“Sure,” he said at last. “I’ll come in Friday night. Does that work for you?”
Today was Thursday. She and Cassidy wanted to do some shopping, and she needed time alone to study her lines. The timing gave her all day tomorrow.
“Sure, that works great.” She pulled her phone out of the small purse hanging from her shoulder. “Umm, I got a new phone number. Not that I think you still have my old one or anything. I just had a problem with some rabid fan hacking my information.”
His gaze narrowed into angry slits. “Are you here with a bodyguard?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I only take them to major events. I’m with my assistant, Cassidy. She’s my best friend. And we play it smart. I’m fine.”
Still scowling, he took her cell and put his number into it then hit send. His phone rang in the bedroom, giving him her number, too. Neither one of them discussed further whether or not they’d deleted each other’s numbers after. She was coming to hate that word.
He handed her phone back.
“Thank you.” She tucked the cell into her bag. Since he wasn’t making conversation, she took that as her cue. “I should get going. It’s a long drive back to the city.”
He nodded and walked her to the door, the scent of his soap and hint of warm scented aftershave causing desire to do a slow glide through her veins.
He opened the front door for her, and at the sound, Bella came skidding across the floor and nudged her nose into Sasha’s leg as if to say, Were you really going to leave without saying goodbye?
Unable to help herself, Sasha dropped to her knees, cupped the dog’s muzzle in her hand, and kissed her nose. “Take care, sweet girl.”
She rose to her feet and met Xander’s warm gaze. “Thank you,” she said with as much sincerity as she could muster. She wanted him to know how much she appreciated his time. Time he was begrudgingly giving. “I really appreciate you helping me.”
He let out a small grunt she couldn’t quite interpret. “Where are you staying?” he asked.
“The Gansevoort. Text me once you’re in the lobby.” She bit down on the inside of her cheek.
“I will.” He braced a hand on the door, his sexy body too hot for her to keep staring at. “I’ll be by around five tomorrow.”
Despite his lack of enthusiasm, her stomach flipped with anticipation. She tempered the emotion, reminding herself he was doing her a favor so the movie would be successful. Nothing more.
He’d given her no opening today, no in, nothing. No matter how much she wished otherwise.
* * *
Sasha returned to the hotel, where Cassidy was making some calls and arranging things to be available in Sasha’s trailer on set. She wasn’t a diva and didn’t put a ton of demands into her contract, but there were some reasonable items she requested. Despite her mother’s push to do otherwise, she’d wanted to be known as someone who was easy to work with and be offered more roles as a result.
“Hey,” Sasha said, letting the suite door slam shut behind her.
“Oh my God, you’re back!” Cassidy placed her laptop onto the table and jumped up from her seat on the sofa. “Tell me everything. How did he look? Was he surprised to see you? Was he welcoming?”
Sasha strode over and sunk into a comfortable chair. “Amazing, yes, and sort of? He didn’t send me home without listening to what I had to say. But welcoming? Not so much.”
“Oh, damn. Can I get you a drink?” Cassidy asked.
“Actually, I’d prefer to grab something to eat. I’m starving.” Her stomach had been grumbling the entire trip back. She refused to think the uncomfortable sensation had anything to do with Xander’s aloof attitude.
Cassidy nodded. “Order room service or go downstairs?”
“Downstairs. I don’t want to be cooped up here forever. After our late lunch, I need to run lines.” Where all she would do was think about Xander and analyze everything he’d said.
“Let me ensure we get a private table where no one will bother you. Be right back.” Cassidy headed over to the room phone and made the call.
Sasha tipped her head against the back of the chair. God, she was lucky to have Cassidy in her life. The best friend a girl could want and an amazing assistant who didn’t have an ounce of jealousy inside her. She was truly happy for Sasha’s seemingly overnight success.
When Sasha had moved into the small apartment with Cassidy, her new roommate had been working for an ad agency, and after Sasha’s sudden rise, Cassidy had been thrilled to become her personal assistant. And when Sasha bought a house in LA, she’d had Cassidy move in. There were plenty of rooms and enough privacy to go around.
“All set! Let’s go eat.”
A little while later, they were sitting inside at the Chester on the ground floor of the hotel. Cassidy had known to ask for indoor seating, skipping the outside biergarten that wrapped around the exterior. Sasha wanted privacy and she hoped she’d skip any autograph requests, but if someone asked, she rarely said no. The fans bought tickets to see her in her movies, after all.
She’d finished her grilled chicken sandwich with a tasty aioli sauce and an iced tea. Not wanting to discuss Xander, Sasha turned the subject to Cassidy’s boyfriend.
“Is Adam still giving you a hard time about being in New York?” Cassidy and Adam had been together since before Sasha had moved in. He’d been used to her having nine-to-five hours, and that wasn’t the case anymore.
Cassidy, who was stirring her soda, looked up and sighed. “He doesn’t understand the job. Or he doesn’t want to understand. I get that he feels neglected. I just don’t know what to tell him.”
Sasha leaned forward in her seat. “Do you want to go back? You can work from there, and I can always hire someone for when I travel.” She’d hate it but she would make it work for her friend.
“No.” Cassidy spoke immediately. “I love what I do and I love working with you. And traveling. This isn’t something I’d get to do otherwise, see foreign countries and stay at an upscale hotel. I was hoping he’d understand and wait. It’s not like we’re a married couple with a family. This is the time for me to do this.”
Sasha relaxed. “Okay. I just don’t want to be responsible for messing up your relationship.”
“And you aren’t.”
That settled, they gestured for a check and signed the bill with a generous tip to Sasha’s room.
As she stood up, Sasha felt an eerie prickle wash over her and glanced around.
Cassidy, who had started walking out, turned and headed back to where Sasha still stood. “What’s wrong?”
She shivered and shook her head, feeling silly. “I just had this weird feeling like someone was watching me. Which is insane because people notice me all the time.” They snapped photos on their phone without her permission. But this felt different.
Cassidy turned, her gaze scanning the room. “I don’t see anyone looking or anything odd, but come on. Let’s get you out of here.” They started for the door when Cassidy asked, “Are you sure you don’t want a bodyguard?”