Before I can say anything, Liam steps forward, and I don’t miss the tension in his shoulders. “She’s not an actress, Anthony, so you can stop hitting on her. She’s our stage manager.”
Anthony turns back to me. “Seriously? You’re hiding yourself backstage?” When I nod, he shakes his head in disbelief. “Look, I don’t want to alarm you, but I’m pretty sure depriving hardworking Americans of your kind of beauty is illegal in forty-eight of the fifty states. You may need to get out of town for a while. It just so happens I have a house in the Hamptons if you’re looking to hide out in luxury. I’d be happy to harbor you as a fugitive.”
I laugh. This guy’s pretty charming, even if he is joking. It feels good to have someone I’ve just met say such flattering things. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
I notice that Angel is beaming at our exchange. I have the strongest feeling she’ll be informing Anthony I’m single as soon as I’m out of ear shot. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Yes, I want to get over Liam and start dating again, but dating his agent probably wouldn’t be the best idea.
When I glance over at Liam, his hands are shoved into his pockets, and the glare he’s directing at the wall above Anthony’s head could blister paint at thirty paces.
Yep. That’s what I figured.
I put Anthony’s card in my pocket. I’m sure there’ll be other handsome, charming strangers with whom I can contemplate moving on. Ones who don’t have these kinds of complications.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, everyone, I have to go set up for the interview. Nice to meet you, Mr. Kent. If you need anything while you’re here, please let me know.”
He reaches for my hand, then places a soft kiss on the back of it. I’m surprised when it makes me tingle.
“I certainly will, Miss Holt. And the pleasure was all mine.”
Even though I don’t look at Liam as I walk away, I can feel his disapproval.
The following day, I’m in my office working through lunch as usual, when there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
Liam enters carrying a small bag. He flops down into the chair beside my desk. “Hey.” He pulls something from his pocket and places it on the desk in front of me. “I thought you might like this.”
I pick up the thumb drive and examine it. “Oh. Wow, Liam. I mean, I know we said we’d keep things professional, but really? You couldn’t come up with a better gift? They were out of staplers? Or paper clips?”
He crosses his arms. “Actually, smart-ass, this is a gift you requested.”
“It is?”
“It is.” He raises his chin. “You asked me to get it because you didn’t want everyone to know you’d like to . . . now let’s see if I can remember your exact words . . . ‘climb me like a tree and bang me like a screen door in a hurricane’? Do I have that right?”
I close my hand around the thumb drive and sigh. “This is the footage from drunken dress shopping?”
“Uh-huh.”
“You didn’t have to watch it, you know.”
“Of course I did. How else was I supposed to memorize all the things you want to do to me? By the way, I’ll be your ‘sex stallion’ any day, sweetheart.” I slap his arm, and he chuckles. “Jokes aside, you’ll be pleased to know it won’t be appearing in the first episode of our stupid reality show this weekend.”
“Thank God. And thank you for helping me out.”
“No problem. Can’t have you getting fired for your perfectly understandable desire to ‘fuck me ten ways from Sunday.’ ”
I point to the door. “Get out.”
He stands and looks down at me. “Is that any way to speak to ‘the hottest man you’ve ever laid eyes on’?”
“Liam!”
He laughs and heads to the door. “Fine. This ‘perfect specimen of manhood’ is out of here. And don’t you dare ogle my ass as I go. Professionalism, please.”
I shake my head and try to hide my smile.
Just as he’s about to exit, Denise appears in the doorway carrying the most enormous bouquet of flowers I’ve ever seen. They’re arranged in a huge crystal vase.
Liam stares at the flowers and blinks. “Denise, wow. You shouldn’t have. I have nowhere to put them.”
She gives him a smile. “If I could afford a bouquet like this, do you think I’d still be working for a living?” She puts them down on my desk. “Elissa, a courier just dropped these off for you. Please tell me it’s not your birthday.”
I glance at the flowers and shake my head. “Believe me, when it’s my birthday, you’ll know. Gift lists will be distributed and shenanigans will be planned. Thanks, Denise.”
She leaves and closes the door behind her.
As I grab the card, Liam frowns at the flowers. “Secret admirer?”
“If they’re sending me something this big, they really don’t want to remain anonymous.” I pull the card from the envelope. “To the most beautiful stage manager I’ve ever met. I look forward to getting to know you better. Warmest regards, Anthony Kent.”
Liam doesn’t comment, but the tension in the room ratchets up to uncomfortable levels in seconds.