Author: Ashlyn Kane Genres: Contemporary Romance, M/M
Format: Audiobook, eBook, Print
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SYNOPSIS
He wrote a comedy. Fate directed a romance.
Drew Beaumont is bored of the same old roles: action hero, supervillain, romantic lead. He’s not going to let a fresh gay buddy comedy languish just because they can’t find him the right costar. No, Drew bats his eyelashes and convinces everyone that the movie’s writer should play Drew’s not-so-straight man.
Aspiring writer Steve Sopol has never had a screenplay optioned. Now one of Hollywood’s hottest properties wants to be in a movie Steve hasn’t finished writing— and he wants Steve as his costar. Turns out the chemistry between them is undeniable—on and off-screen.
Drew swore off dating in the biz, but Steve is the whole package: sharp, funny, humble, and cute. For Steve, though, giving in to the movie magic means the end of the privacy he cherishes. Will the credits roll before their ride into the sunset?
“Mel, Adam—Morgan’s face when the door opens is key to setting the tone for the rest of the movie. I need you to get it on the first shot, or we’re going to have to have Drew strip naked.”
“Hey!” Steve protested. Drew and Nina looked at him, and he shrugged. “Give me some credit. I’m an amateur, but I think I can fake attraction to—” He gestured to Drew.
Fake? Damn. But, well, it wasn’t like Drew dated anyway. “Ouch.” He pressed a hand to his chest.
“Check your ego,” Nina admonished. “Not everyone wants to see you in the buff. Now let’s get this set up. Where’s that extra?”
“Here!” Another guy, also wearing a robe from Wardrobe that wouldn’t make it into the film, slipped past them onto the set.
“Good.” Nina shooed Drew toward the other side of the door. “Don’t forget your lines. And you.” She turned to Steve. “Remember: you’re gay.”
Drew met Steve’s eyes over the top of Nina’s head. He looked baffled. “Thanks for reminding me?”
Nina opened her mouth, then seemed to think better of whatever she was going to say and muttered under her breath instead. “The two of you, I swear to God. I came out of retirement for this.” Then she clapped her hands. “Let’s go! We’re wasting daylight.”
The cameras set up their shots, the door closed, and the Wardrobe assistant came by with Steve’s shirt on a hanger, collected for continuity, and to check Drew’s wardrobe tape. “Good to go,” she chirped, and then she was gone, taking their bathrobes with her.
Drew and the extra found their marks—Drew a few feet from the door, his character’s flavor of the evening just visible through the doorway to the bedroom. Scotty was a slob with a dive apartment, but that didn’t stop him from bringing his pickups home.
“Action!”
Drew counted to ten after he heard the knock. Scotty would have just woken up; he’d be bleary and come-dumb and not particularly motivated by someone pounding on his door—even if that someone was his best friend’s brother coming to pick him up. Even if Scotty was late.
“Scotty! Come on, are you home? If we don’t leave, we’re going to hit—”
Drew opened the door, rubbing his face with the back of his other hand before running his fingers through his hair. Slowly he raised his eyes to meet Steve’s.
Except he didn’t. Because Steve was standing frozen, hand still raised like he was going to keep pounding on the door, his gaze fixed on Drew’s tiny black boxer briefs. Then on his stomach. Then his bare chest.
Either Steve was a better actor than anyone had given him credit for, or he’d forgotten his line.
About Ashlyn Kane
ASHLYN KANE is a Canadian former expat and current hockey fan. She is a writer, editor, handyperson, dog mom, and friend—sometimes all at once.
On any given day she can usually be found walking her ninety-pound baby chocolate lapdog, Indy, or holed up in her office avoiding housework. She has a deep and abiding love of romance novel tropes, a habit of dropping too many f-bombs, and—fortunately—a very forgiving family.
