Accidental Action Star Read Online Free PDF Page B

No co-workers. No crazies.” He snapped his teeth, imitating a bite. I got the reference. “You hit each at 100% so I’m 300% sure we’re not hooking up.”
    OMG. “And, I’m 300% sure you’re not majoring in math.” I ducked away and headed to the hot tub.
    Max joined me, but he didn’t deviate from his plan. He didn’t hit on me. But he didn’t hit on anyone else either. Every time he caught my gaze, his eyes lingered. We stayed out until the orange and pink sunrise appeared, glowing against his skin. I wanted to draw it. I wanted to draw it against his skin.
     
    ***
     
    I went back to the dorm to shower.
    Eva clicked on her lamp. “Where’ve you been?” She sounded half asleep.
    “I spent the night on a yacht—with movie stars, TV stars, and a rock star.”
    “Liar.” She clicked her lamp off and rolled over. “Bring back leftovers next time you stay at your Mom’s.”
    Neither of us had class so I tried not to wake her up again as I got ready for work. I made it to the studio in time to swing by the Art Department. I didn’t have a shift, but I wanted to talk with Archie about the Dragon Night artwork.
    Archie lifted his head away from his computer monitor. He was working on the cartoon pixie project, something that always put him in a bad mood. He looked at me, taking in my dragging steps and clipped-up hair. “Late night?”
    I grunted, an unladylike, displeased sound and stifled a yawn. I’d used concealer and eye drops; he shouldn’t be able to tell I was tired.
    He unwrapped a breakfast burrito and bit down. Scrambled egg fell from the end of his burrito. Whichever food truck worker had made it hadn’t tucked the end in properly. And the tortilla was green—California. “Get those signatures yet?”
    I worked my jaw and covered my yawn with one hand. “Not yet.”
    Archie huffed and turned back to his project. “You ain’t getting a paying job here with that success rate.”
    That woke me up. I’d seen their crap Dragon Night drawings. The fact that they weren’t approved yet wasn’t on me.  “Max said they were freaking pervy. He also said for you guys to give me a script so I can advise on adjustments.” I didn’t tell Archie how much of that was from me interpreting Max’s expression as opposed to Max actually saying it.
    Archie guffawed. “Script? Advise? You?” He gestured to the sink. “Stick to cleaning paint brushes.”
    Add paint solvent to my headache? No way. “Wish I could, but I work at Scoop Out today. Rehearsals, you know.”
    Archie glanced at the sink, wearing a pout. He appeared so disgruntled, I bet he and Justin had done something to the water. Maybe he’d taped the spray nozzle so he’d soak me or he’d loosened the bolts so it would fall apart again. I stalked over to Justin’s desk. 
    “Morning, Justin.”
    “Did you see…” Justin blushed. “Her?” He whispered the last word.
    “See who?” I knew who.
    Justin rubbed his soul patch. “Lorene Dailer. At Warehouse 47. My ‘Where’s Lorene’ app says she’s been there all week.”
    “Your stalker app? How’s that even legal?”
    “It just is, okay.” Justin motioned to his computer monitor. “Come look at these bras.” He eyed my chest. “You’re a girl. Which one would Lorene want?”
    Images of bras appeared on screen: diamond bras, golden bras, silver bras.
    He was such a stalker-perv, but a harmless one. Like Lorene wanted to receive a bra from a fan. “I’m too tired for this, Justin. You’re a talented, good-looking guy. Get a haircut. Get a new shirt. Shave. Introduce yourself. You’re her co-worker, not a loon off the street. Take your shot.”
    Justin gaped at me, at a total loss over my suggestion.
    I ran a hand through my hair and stole a pencil to twist it up. “Sorry. I’m just tired. Admire her from afar if you want. I’m just saying you should go for it.” I turned to leave.
    “Wait.” Justin passed me a script. The cover read Dragon Night . “Read it.