Page 20 of Under Ground
Her eyebrows arch. “You really have to ask that? I guess you’re not dating him because of who he is.”
“I knew who he was, but I don’t even know if I’ve seen him in anything.”
She rolls her eyes and sighs. “Totally wasted on you.” Laughing, she sits at her desk. “But seriously, he’s really on the way up. Especially now there are rumours he’ll be cast in Josh Carter’s new movie.”
Josh Carter. Now there’s a name I recognise. He was in a movie on TV a while ago that I did watch because I saw it had won a ton of awards. I sobbed my eyes out at it. “Really?”
“You don’t know much about your new boyfriend, do you?”
I shrug. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Yet.”
By the time we get to midday and Anna goes home to get some clothing, I’m itching to talk to Alex. An empty office provides the perfect opportunity.
I only hope he answers. Because my conversation with Anna has plagued my thoughts since this morning.
Me: Can I ask you something before we go on this date?
It only takes a moment for my phone to start ringing, and I smile at his name. It gives me butterflies even though we’re not really anything to each other. Maybe friends at a stretch.
“Alex.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re cancelling.”
I smile to myself. “No. I’m just trying to get in time.”
“What can I do to help?”
I laugh. “Nothing. But I do want to ask you something.”
“Sure.”
“Are you likely to get recognised?”
Alex pauses, and my heart drops. The last thing I want is for any attention to end up on Casey and me. We’re in a delicate enough situation as it is without anyone going digging. But Alex is just so easy to be around, and I don’t really want to call this off before it gets started.
“I don’t think so. The only person who’s recognised me since I got here is that woman you work with. I think we’ll be okay.”
That gives me more reassurance than he probably realises, but I’m still a little nervous about the whole thing. “You know why I’m asking, don’t you? I don’t want Casey exposed to anyone—there are real consequences if people go digging into her background.”
He’s quiet for a moment. “I know. You want to protect your ex.”
“Not him. His wife.” I chew my bottom lip. “It’s not the easiest situation. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about Casey at first, and then things dragged on so long I didn’t even know where to start, and she’s dealing with some other things right now, and it’d kill her if she found out he has a child with someone else. Besides, she likes me.”
“You’re a good person, Lana. I hope you know that.”
“I try.” The front door clicks, and Anna walks in, one arm laden with clothing. “Anyway, I need to get going. Talk to you later?”
“Anytime. If I’m filming, just leave a message and I’ll call you back.”
“Will do.”
“See you on Saturday. Around six?”
I can’t wipe the grin from my face. “See you then.”
Disconnecting the call, I place my phone on my desk and look up at Anna’s excited expression. She waves the armful of clothing in the air. “I got some things that I think will really suit you. Not too over the top, because I didn’t think you’d want to go too over the top. But subtle and sexy.”