Free The Director (Hollywood Nights) by Cara North

a considerable interest
in researching a certain person,” she said and gave his hand a squeeze.
                “You can ask me anything. I don’t
mind telling you,” he said. “I mean it. I won’t lie to you.”
                “What has been your favorite project
to work on so far?” she asked.
                That was easy and a relief. He could
talk to her about the various films he had been a part of all night.

 
    ***

 
    Shay was learning a lot about the
reason Jed chose to work on particular projects. She listened to him talk all
the way to the house they were going to. It was easy to do. His voice was
seductive even when he wasn’t trying to seduce. He said, “I just want to do
things that matter.”
    She was listening, but became
anxious as they pulled down a considerable driveway. She noticed how the cars
were lined up. It became obvious that there was a valet service. Jed pulled
into the row of vehicles and put the car in park. He stepped out and came
around to her side. She realized he left the keys in the car.  
    “Jed,” she said as she gripped
her wristlet and his hoodie for dear life. This wasn’t what she expected. She
thought he meant a barbecue like she would mean barbecue. A place with a few
people he knew, not an event. “What’s going on?”
    “It’s a barbecue. My mom hosts it
every year. They raise money for a few children’s charities.” He slid his hand
down her arm in that way he liked to do and said, “There is every kind of
barbecue you can think of. Why do you look nervous all of a sudden?”
    “Because I am,” she admitted.
    “Shay, it’s just a barbecue.” He
tugged at her hand and she took a tentative step forward.
    “Wait,” she stalled. He stopped,
looked at her curiously. “Is Frankie in there?”
    He shrugged.
    “Jed,” she whispered. “She
doesn’t know about us. I can’t just show up like this.”
    “This is my family, Shay. Besides, there are a ton of people here from the
film. If she is here now or later she will just think you got the invite like
everyone else.” He tugged her hand again.
    “Not if I’m holding your hand.”
She let his fingers go. He sighed in defeat but let her walk beside him instead
of holding his hand. The closer they got to the crowd of people near the entry
the more anxious she became. The more she wanted to hold on to him for support
but didn’t. She gripped the hoodie like a lifeline.
    “Shay!” Frankie smiled and waved
at her the moment she stepped out into the back yard. She smiled back. Jed had
stopped to talk to someone, so she took the opportunity to distance herself
from him a moment and say hello to Frankie and Jonas. Maybe after she said hi
she would get lost in the crowd and he would find her and…
    “Hi,” she said as she came to a
stop in front of them. “How was the honeymoon?”
    “We had a good week…” Jonas said
as his voice trailed off.
    Frankie looked at Jonas. Shay
looked at Jonas. They both noticed he was looking at Shay. More specific, he
was looking at what she had in her hand. She was sure she and Frankie looked
down at the hoodie at the same time. They also looked up at the same time to
meet eye to eye again.
    “Shay?” Frankie tilted her head
and asked, “Um, where did you get that?”
    “I gave it to her,” Jed said as
he stepped closer to her side. He put his hand on the small of her back. She
was instantly relieved to have him there and worried that this was going to go
over badly. She brought the sweatshirt because it was supposed to get chilly
tonight, because it still smelled like him, and because she wanted him to know
she cared that he had given it to her to wear. She did not know it was a red
flag to wave at everyone announcing that to the world.
    Jonas looked at Frankie. Shay
realized something right then and there. Jonas relied on Frankie’s judgment to
determine his reaction to this situation.   He didn’t look at his big brother, he