Free Say It Sexy by Virna Depaul

offered.
    “Sweet.” I plopped down into the seat, sinking low. “You seemed distracted. Didn’t mean to bother you.”
    Shane shrugged, struggling to smile. “I guess so,” he said, his voice almost lost in the hum of engines as the plane rumbled to life.
    I didn’t always become buddy-buddy with other male leads, due to jealousy issues, but I was hoping it might be different with Shane. He was untainted by the Hollywood scene, still possessing humility and an air of innocence amid a depraved and carnivorous, materialistic world. I hoped he’d never lose it.
    Aside from that, there was something about him that I had trouble placing. May have been the effortless way he slumped back, or the hoodie he wore, or the sweats that hung strangely low for a jock dude. Whatever the case, I got a feeling he was harboring a secret side of himself. When he shifted, I could’ve sworn I caught the telling hole of a piercing on his eyebrow.
    “You nervous?” I asked.
    Shane winced. “Is it that obvious?”
    “Well, I didn’t need to consult a specialist to diagnose you.” I eyed him expectantly. “What’s up?”
    “Nothing,” Shane muttered, shaking his head and redirecting his attention back to the window. “It’s stupid.”
    I thumped his shoulder with my own. “You can tell me, dude.”
    With a halfhearted roll of his eyes, Shane caved. “I just can’t get what Gwen said out of my head.”
    “What? About you having no experience?” I slouched back in my seat, casting a quick glance at Her Royal Iceness. She’d stood in the aisle now, giggling with Erica while they tried to jam her lumpy blue duffel bag into the overhead compartment. “You’re right—it’s stupid.”
    “I’m serious.” Shane shrugged. “What if she’s right? What if my inexperience does jeopardize the show’s success? What if I’m a flat-out terrible actor and what got me hired was all a onetime fluke?”
    “That’s a load of crap,” I said, splaying my hand to emphasize my point. “Lots of first-time actors kill it when they break out of the gate. You will, too. Everyone has to start somewhere.”
    Shane rubbed the back of his neck, less than convinced. “What if Lyle regrets hiring me?”
    Just then, speak of the devil, Lyle came careening onboard, frazzled and looking more scatterbrained than usual. Chest heaving and brow glowing with sweat, he lumbered to a row occupied by two camera operators. “So sorry, so very sorry I’m late. Forgot to book my seat. Had to get one at check-in, which meant facing the Sunday crowd.”
    Shane lowered his voice to a whisper, leaning across the empty seat separating us. “I feel like an ass for saying this, but he seems a bit incapable. Is it just me?”
    “Nah, don’t let that fool you. His brain is ninety-nine percent creativity and one percent logic. The man’s a genius. Lots of geniuses have organization issues. In fact, I heard they’re hiring him a personal assistant without his approval.”
    “You’ve worked with him before?”
    “Several times. And as for him regretting hiring you, that won’t happen, as long as you push yourself and try your best.” Thumbing toward Tyler, I added, “Besides, whiz-kid over there stuck his nose out for you too, so he probably sees something in you that you’re not aware of.”
    “Or maybe I like playing devil’s advocate,” Tyler supplied in his gloomy monotone, eyes still closed.
    Shane grinned, obviously feeling better after our talk. “Thanks, man. Hey, do you know where we’re staying?”
    “Last I heard, we were booked into a hotel called Nativo Lodge, but knowing Lyle, plans may have changed, and he forgot to send the memo.” I laughed. “Don’t sweat it. My one condition when I signed with Lyle was I stay in close proximity to a gym.”
    Gwen and Erica had finally squeezed the bag into place and managed to close the compartment door. They sat together, chatting in the coquettish way girls did. “So. What do you think of