Page 14 of His Girl Hollywood

Arlene had made it clear that they were going to do this her way. Even if her way was lackluster choreography that he couldn’t keep straight in his head because of his nerves and his discomfort dancing someone else’s steps. It was almost funny. All the times his father had railed at him for dancing to the beat of his own drum. It was coming back to bite him now. The universe had a sick sense of humor.

He didn’t know what he’d done to make Arlene Morgan treat him like he was a burr in her shoe—and a part of him desperately wanted to figure it out. To fix it. To be friends again. Besides Eddie, he didn’t have any friends. Just the cronies and hangers-on who followed Frankie around and did his bidding. After Mabel, Don realized it was safest not to get too close to anyone. Romanticallyor otherwise.

Don had thought that coming here, working in Hollywood, wouldn’t only be his chance at freedom. But also the chance to work with an old friend. Something he hadn’t had, well, ever. Or at least until he’d met Eddie. Clearly, Lena didn’t see it that way. When they were kids, she’d been particular, self-assured, maybe even a little bossy. But never stubborn and unreasonable.

Even if he managed to break through this impenetrable new side of her, did he have time to fix whatever the hell was broken? The longer production went on, the more likely Frankie would get wise to his plans. He wanted to scream. Again, Frankie Martino was costing him something he wanted. This time, it was his friendship with Arlene Morgan and the time he needed to repair it.

He would put his head down and try to do what she said without complaint. If he proved himself here, maybe he could choreograph his next picture. He’d be a free man then. Free from Frankie’s machinations and abuse. And free from whatever was going on with Lena.

Rita gingerly made her way out to the center of the dance floor that made up the majority of the set on this soundstage. He took his position opposite her, holding his arms in a perfect dance frame. “For what it’s worth, I like your steps better,” she murmured.

A flicker of pride flared in his belly. “Thanks. Wish her majesty over there did too.”

Rita frowned and gave him a hard look. “Hey, don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Mock her. Poor kid’s got a lot on her plate. I don’t envy her. Every single one of those bastards is looking for a reason to undercut her.” Rita nodded her head at the members of the crew as she pointed them out. “The guys behind the camera, the ones there in the rafters working the lights. They think they could do a betterjob. And they’re certainly not happy about taking direction from a woman.”

Even though he’d never worked with a female director before, this factor had not really occurred to Don. In spite of her newly acquired curves and stylish haircut, to him Lena was just…Lena Morgan first, a woman second. Hell, he’d never even thought of her as a member of the opposite sex until he’d seen her bathed in the soft beams of the ghost light last night. This morning, every time he’d looked at her, something in his stomach felt a little squiggly. But that was him trying to wrap his head around who this version of Lena was, to adjust to her unfamiliarity. Nothing more.

“I hadn’t noticed that.” He looked at the crew, following Rita’s line of vision as she pointed them out. The guys in the rafters were talking to each other, having wandered away from their posts. Lena was talking to the groups of men behind the camera, but the only one who seemed to be listening attentively was the bespectacled script girl who was writing down everything Lena said, as if she would be tested on it later. The crew was paying attention, but there was a disconnect. Like they were only catching every other word. “But surely they have to listen to be able to do their jobs.”

“Oh, they’ll listen to her. They’ll do what she says. But if she shows even the smallest sliver of a crack in her control, they’ll start grumbling to Evets. She knows it too. That’s why she’s being so tough on you.”

Don felt like a heel. He’d been so caught up in his own plans, it had never occurred to him how Lena might be feeling. How scared she must be, and how unable to show it. He’d been proud when he found out she was going to be his director. Sure, Walter Nebbs had been less than enthusiastic about sending Don off to work with a lady director. But he figured that was the talent scout being a crank.

Arlene Morgan was born to be behind the camera. But he’dknown she wanted this and that she could do it since they were teenagers. To him, it seemed like the most obvious thing in the world.

“You’re right.” He met Rita’s eyes. “We need to get it right for her.”

“We?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Okay, me. You’ve got it down pat.” Rita Carter laughed and something loosened in his chest. This connection was what he needed. Now, he could do the steps. Arlene was nervous and on guard because of what Rita had pointed out. Her sudden coldness probably had nothing to do with him. All it would take to be friends again would be to simply get it right.

“Are we ready?” Arlene called out. He and Rita raised their hands to give Arlene a thumbs-up. “Okay, rolling, sound speed…and action!”

He pulled Rita forward while she pulled back. Damn it, he’d already done it wrong. He stepped forward with his left foot to try to course correct and…stepped on Rita’s foot. He winced as she yelped. Then, he tried to lead her into a turn and his foot got stuck between hers. Before he knew it, they were tumbling to the floor. He managed to spin himself so that his body connected with the ground and Rita landed on top of him. At least he’d cushioned the blow.

“Ow!” Rita yelled. He looked down and was dismayed to find her foot twisted under his calf. It was the one she’d been icing.Shit.

“Cut,” Arlene called. She rushed out from behind the camera and over to them. “Rita, are you okay?”

“I think so?” Don scrambled to push himself away so that Rita could stretch her foot.

Arlene glared at him. “What did you do? Were you trying to do your steps?”

“No!” Why did she insist on assuming the worst of him? “I gotconfused.”

“Miss Morgan, it’s all right. It was an innocent mistake. Accidents happen.”

At least Rita rushed to his defense this time instead of castigating him. She tried to stand and bit her lip as she put weight on her foot. Don sprang to his feet and put his arm under Rita’s so she wouldn’t fall again. “Thanks.” She grimaced. “I think it’s only bruised. Should be fine in a few days.”

Don exhaled. Thank God he hadn’t broken his leading lady’s ankle on the first day of shooting. Just temporarily maimed her.

“You should go home,” Lena told Rita. “Put your feet up. We need you healthy.”

Rita nodded her head. “All right.”