~~~~~

I sat watching Jon practice his line again, bored beyond belief so I dug out my phone. Lili warned me the drugs would make him forget me, but this was awful. Maybe I was mistaken in thinking he loved me. We were stood in the blazing sun, on a set for his next movie, and I was no closer to having a romantic relationship with him than I was a year ago. She assured me that there was no rush, but I earnestly thought we were in love. Then I remembered him enjoying the polyamory a bit more than I did with a sigh.

“Excuse me…” A smooth voice sent a shiver down my spine, and I looked up from my now dark phone into the deepest of blue eyes, resting under bangs of short blonde hair. “You are Jon’s manager, right? I didn’t get to ask earlier, but could I get your number and name?”

He wore a gray and black striped business suit minus a tie, with a white button up, all of which seemed to accent his well–defined body. Speaking of, he stood a few inches taller than me, though I was in high heels, so he was much closer. Expensive cologne mixed with his musk flooded my senses, reminding me of how long it had been since I’d last been touched by a man. Was this what Liliana felt around her husband?

“Who, me?” I squeaked, mouth running dry as I finally realized who it was before me, so I offered my hand. “I apologize, my name is Ginny Martin! What’s your name, sir?”

A recent update to the files on the family app listed him as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, CEO and Developer of Videoology, a popular video editing and streaming service gaining popularity online. On top of that, he was the boss of another smaller underworld agency based in the states. One the Accardi had been trying to reach for years. Perhaps he knew who I was. I hit record on my phone, knowing it would ping Liliana to listen in.

“Fynn Tobias. You, lovely, are even more flawless up close!” He whispered, taking my hand before full lips pressed to the thin flesh, sending electric shivers up my arm. “Look, I don’t want to cause discomfort, but I’d love it if you called me sometime. Here’s my card.”

“Thank you…” I replied, accepting the business card, before noticing his personal number written on the back. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Any time.” Fynn then winked at me with a gentlemanly smile as he squeezed my hand for a second, then released it. “Managing actors is a fine career for someone else. Though if I could be honest… I imagine you’d work better in a more lucrative environment.”

The lack of inflection in his voice during the last statement meant he was interested in working together professionally, but his first request was undeniably personal. His gaze remained firm on mine, interest and intent clear. I couldn’t make any decisions, since it involved switching targets. The Donna had to confirm any change of plan unless it involved life or death. It also wasn’t a bridge I was willing to risk burning either. What would she have me do?

~~~~~

She took his breath the very second he saw her. This near to her, he could tell just how kind she was. A gentle soul who would serve his image well. He had no plans to be untoward to her, and truthfully, she was his type. There was something special in those oaken brown eyes, something almost angelic in her demeanor. Her fingertips were like tiny heaters in his hand, and he watched as a soft pink dusted her cheeks.

“There is no pressure. Please, take your time and think about it.”

“Oh, don’t misunderstand, I usually consult with my cousin before I make any major life changes. She’s less gullible than I am.” She replied, and his eyes widened, but she remained smiling as if clueless to her own power. “My dad told me I could always count on her to help me, and to this day, she still does!”

“I doubt you’re all that gullible. Managing an actor is not easy work. Definitely not the sort of work someone gullible could do.” He shrugged, then gazed at her for a moment, wanting to burn her visage to memory just in case. “I could be wrong, but you seem far smarter than that. Think about my offer, at least. If I won the opportunity to treat you, I’d love to take you to my favorite coffee shop.”

She smiled before turning her attention back to her charge. His attention was on his co–star, a beautiful woman with dark red hair and green eyes. A notification from her phone drew her attention back to her phone, before a small gasp parting her lips. He didn’t know who she was or where she came from, but he was in love. She made him believe in love at first sight. She turned back to Fynn, then her gaze floated to Jonathon with a slightly saddened smile.

“Is he your lover?” Fynn wondered with a knowing smile, blue eyes narrowing kindly. “Or has he refused your affections?”

“Jonathon is simply someone I work with. Did you want to set up an interview with me? I have some excellent references from former employers.” He turned abruptly towards her, raised eyebrows and saucer–round eyes. “I texted my cousin and she said I should go for it. She never thought I’d get anywhere chasing the shirt–tails of some minor actor. Shows how right she was.”

“Refused, eh?” At his guess, she froze, then slowly turned towards him this time. “I’m familiar with that. My ex left me at the altar, then ghosted me.”

“What kind of work would I be doing?” She ventured, almost a professional at changing the topic, an innocent head tilt as those stunning, deep honey–colored eyes narrowed a little. “Having a divorcee on your roster will not negatively affect your business, will it?”

A divorcee? He glanced at her left hand, noting the wedding band, then at the man named Jonathon the actor. Surely, he was mistaken, but the actor didn’t act married in the slightest. If anything, Fynn was certain he’d seen a scandal about Jonathon getting caught with a married woman and man from two different marriages just a month ago. When he turned back to look at her hand, the band was gone, and his eyes narrowed as his gaze lifted questioningly.

“It was a common law marriage he doesn’t remember anymore, so why should I?” She held up the thin gold band, then dropped it in the shag carpet at her feet. “Shall we go get that coffee?”

 

~~~To Be Continued~~~