The Don Bows Only To His Curvy Crush Chapter 05
The Dinner, The Water, The Ride Home
The next night, I show up at the Moretti ‘s private club, right on time.
Before I get out of the car, Marnie grabs my wrist.
“If anything feels off in there, you call me. I don’t care what time. I’ll get you out.”
“These people — the games they play get sick. There’ll be other chances. Not worth it.”
I smile and pat her hand.
Marnie and I both know the truth.
New actresses are a dime a dozen in this town. This is my one shot.
—
Standing outside that private room, I brace for the worst.
Dante will humiliate me.
He’ll probably drag me upstairs and make me earn it.
What I don’t brace for — is him quietly moving mountains on my behalf.
There are three of the biggest directors in the industry at the table. And a few men who don’t bother introducing themselves.
Three glasses of wine in, my face is hot and my head is swimming.
I’m parked at Dante’s right elbow.
Without looking at me, he slides a glass of water across the table. Then he turns to the man on his other side.
“She’s new. Trying to make it. Take another look at her film, would you?”
“Absolutely, Don Moretti. Trim the flagged scenes. It clears review by Friday.”
The man’s eyes flick over me. He smiles like he understands something I don’t.
“Miss Rose, you must be blessed. Don Moretti wouldn’t lift a glass for an Oscar winner last spring. Now he’s clearing your film himself.”
—
When the dinner breaks up, I send Marnie home and get into the back of Dante’s car alone.
What he pulled tonight — new actresses don’t get within a mile of that kind of favor in a lifetime.
Which means the price tag isn’t hard to guess.
He was the man I was in love with for two years. He was my first.
I’m not going to pretend to be delicate about it.
The only thing that stings — is that what he’s buying tonight is Lena Rose.
Polished. Camera-ready. Nothing left of the fat girl who used to hide behind hallway corners just to catch a glimpse of his back.
The backseat is dead quiet.
I open my mouth.
He beats me to it.
“So — I hear Miss Rose used to work for my family.”
“You really don’t remember me?”