Chapter One
Avery
“I’m the luckiest dude in the universe,” I said as Malik sat beside me near the door of the old school where we were working security for a movie shoot. We’d set up a perimeter around the parking area and stationed ourselves at the south entrance for extras and production crew to check in.
“Because I brought you a soda?” Malik sounded understandably doubtful and quirked a dark eyebrow. He was nice like that, always bringing back drinks or snacks for others. And he’d popped the tops on both our sodas, saving me the trouble. My current arm prosthesis was the best I’d tried yet, but pull tabs were still tricky.
“Well, that was nice. But mainly because of Venus. My girlfriend.” Simply saying the words made me smile. The novelty hadn’t worn off, even though I’d updated my social media profiles a couple of weeks ago.
“Oh, that’s right. Forgot she was scheduled for today’s filming.” Like my other coworkers at the security firm I worked for, Malik was likely sick of hearing me talk about my girlfriend. But for the first time since high school, I was neither deployed nor single for Valentine’s Day. Bring on the season of hearts and flowers. I had Venus. Even Malik’s thoughtful expression didn’t faze me. “You’re a lucky guy. She seems very…glam.”
“She is.” I sighed happily. Malik had probably searched for a nice way to say high maintenance, but wasn’t that practically a given with these actress types?
“I wouldn’t have pegged you for having the most in common.” Malik continued the diplomatic tone, which was a bit nicer than coming right out and asking what the heck she saw in a guy like me.
“Having things in common is overrated.” I took a long sip of root beer. Funny, Malik was still new to the team and already knew my favorite soda flavor and brand.
Also new was my relationship. Venus was a drop-dead-gorgeous aspiring actress with a minor role in the movie I’d been working security for the past few months. She was practically a celebrity. Of course, she wouldn’t share my love of tower defense games or things like British comedy and nature documentaries. And we both liked fitness, but she preferred classes with her friends over gym time as a couple. That was okay. Her booked schedule made our rare dates that much more special. Swallowing, I smiled over at Malik. “She makes me feel like a million bucks.”
“Well, that’s great.” Malik’s mouth was a little tight around the edges. He’d probably been hanging around our boss, who wasn’t a big Venus fan. “You deserve someone to treat you right.”
Yup. He’d definitely been listening to the LT, who insisted I call him Duncan and had lectured me the other day about falling too hard too fast for Venus. Heck, even Harley had felt the need to warn me about watching for people who would take advantage. However, they didn’t know Venus, and seeing as they were all coupled up, they didn’t understand how hard it was to land someone like her.
“She does,” I said brightly, even if adding sort of or occasionally would have been more accurate. Venus wasn’t big on little gestures or doing things for others. She definitely was not into cutesy-couple stuff, but she’d chosen me. Everywhere we went, guys were jealous of me.
Malik didn’t seem to envy me as much, but he’d recently been dumped by his fiancée if company gossip was to be believed. Maybe he still had a broken heart.
“And here she comes now.” Malik pointed as Venus approached our station near the door. “Go ahead and take your break. I know you want to say hi.”
He smiled as he waved me off. He didn’t smile a ton, so when he did, it always felt like he was sharing a secret. But I didn’t have time to appreciate Malik’s smiles. I had a girlfriend to impress.
I stood as Venus’s purposeful strides carried her toward me, a practiced smile on her perfectly glossed lips. Her highlighted hair fell in waves over her shoulders. Her spiky heels clicked across the scarred linoleum hallway and made her even taller than usual. The heels were part of a party outfit for an alumni reunion scene on the day’s filming schedule.
I stood a little straighter, rolling my shoulders back. The right one complained, but I tried to ignore it in favor of focusing on Venus.
“Hey, beautiful,” I greeted her, offering a hug, which she dodged.
“Wardrobe and makeup took two hours. Big scene today.” Her tone was slightly braggy, but her pride in her work was understandable,
“Sorry. I won’t mess you up. Now.” I winked. “But later…”
She frowned. “Later, I’m going out with my girls. We’re celebrating. I got that movie part I’ve been waiting to hear about.”
“That’s fabulous.” I grinned at her. “Wait. Don’t you want to celebrate together?”
I might not have much relationship experience, but if I had big news, I’d want to take my girlfriend out.
“That’s actually why I came to see you. We need to talk.”
Uh-oh. Danger. My inner red-alert system, honed by my years in the SEALs, started blaring. No, no, we didn’t need to talk, especially not two days before Valentine’s Day. I had plans, damn it.
“Talking can wait.” I forced my grin to stay in place. “Have fun out with your friends tonight.”
“I’ve been thinking…” Venus scrunched her face. She wasn’t exactly known for being a thinker, and Venus contemplating things was another bad sign. The alarm in my brain rose to foghorn-level loud as she continued, mouth twisting, “My image needs an upgrade. I need to surround myself with people who reflect my new level of success.”
“And I don’t fit?” Frowning, I tried to follow her logic. Like her, I wasn’t the biggest brainiac, but I could at least try to divert her from her apparent destination. “Do I need a haircut? Different clothes?”
“No, you’re fine. This is about me.”
It’s not you, it’s me. God, I hated all variations of those words, but I tried to keep a neutral expression. Malik was only feet away, undoubtedly hearing every cliched word. “This role is big news since I’m playing the star’s bestie. This could be my big break.”
“And I don’t fit with that how?”
“I need to be more strategic about who I surround myself with. When I was a C-list unknown, dating a security guard was no biggie, and you are kind of hot. And heroic. Go, SEALs.” She gave the same giggle girls at the bar in Coronado always used, like banging a SEAL was a merit badge to be earned. But apparently, that was no longer enough appeal for Venus.
“So, you’re on the hunt for someone with more social media followers?”
“Exactly.” She brightened like I’d said the right thing while my insides sank. “I knew you’d understand.”
“Not sure I do. You’re saying you need to see other people? More famous people?”
“Yes. People who are already where I want to be in terms of roles and recognition. My agent has a prospect lined up for tomorrow at a casual anti-V-Day party for singles. I’ll get to chat with this guy. Hopefully make a good impression.”
Anti-Valentines. Talk about a poke in the heart. Also, apparently, she was single now. Nice to know. “You’re letting your agent pick your dates?”