Lost and Found (Growing Pains #1)(49)

“They thought I would never make it because I had a fall back.”

“And they were right?”

“They were. They are also all working crappy, dead-end jobs in the poor house. I intend to have the last laugh on this one.”

“Oh ho ho. Well. Remind me not to give you a reason to hold a grudge.”

His kissable lips curved upwards as he reached for his Guinness.

“Okay, fine, you moved on from acting. When did you meet Ray?”

“I never said I moved on, but I met Ray at the first company I worked for out of college. The job was just to pay the bills while trying to make way as an actor.”

“Uh huh--wait. You still act?”

“Do you still do hair and makeup?”

“Yeah. Mine. No one pays me for it.”

“You don’t do it for your friends?”

“Okay. Yes, I do. But still, they don’t pay me for it.”

“Well, I don’t get paid for the little I do, either.” He made a funny gesture with his head that was apparently aimed at mimicking her.

“So...you act for your friends?” She giggled again.

“You seem to giggle a lot for a sarcastic bitch, you know?”

“We’ll get back to that. We are still on you. No pun intended.”

“Mind in the gutter, Marshall! And you were worried about me?” He huffed then sighed. “I act for various small house productions that hold public auditions and generally don’t pay, all right? If they do pay, I only accept the bare minimum the union mandates, and then I donate the money back to the theater house or school--whichever it is.”

“Huh. Interesting.”

“That is not the secret I was entrusting you with.”

“Yes, but it’s probably a better one then the other one. This is outstanding gossip. Nobody knows this little nugget, I bet.”

“And will they?” The way he said it gave her pause. It was like he was grudgingly putting a small slice of his vulnerability in her hands.

“Well, here’s the thing.” She was willing to bargain. “I am eventually going to make a huge ass of myself. Maybe tonight. Maybe a month from now. Maybe in a year. No, it won’t take an entire year ... Anyway, I will undoubtedly make a huge ass of myself. I will keep your gossip to myself if you keep my gossip to yourself. You tell everyone what a dumb-ass I am, well then ...” She let the sentence hang like he did.

“How will I know what’s gossip, and what is your usual behavior?”

“Yeah, good point. I’ll tell you. A nugget for a nugget.”

“Deal.”

They lapsed into silence as Krista waited for him to continue. He didn’t.

“Oh no. I still haven’t gotten the first nugget. Ray Man. First job. Spill,Señor.”

“I was hoping you weren’t following the conversation anymore.”

“I can function rather well in drunk time, thank you very much. I am not so long out of college, after all.”

“True. Okay, well, Ray was my mentor, as I said. I got the job to make some money while I looked for acting gigs. Ray taught me how to sell; what to say, how to make a buck.”

“‘N’ all that jazz.”

“Yes, all that jazz. He is a great salesman. He taught me to be a great salesman. After I got tired of being rejected and poor in the acting community, I decided to pay more attention to Ray. I learn fast.”

“And well, I imagine.” Her brain strayed to Pink Shoes discussing rumors of Sean in bed. She could imagine those strong shoulders over her; his long, hard body pressing her down into the soft mattress.

“You all right?”

Krista jumped, and then punched him in reflex. Then froze.

Sean smiled and grabbed his arm at the same time. “Ouch—what was that for?”

Chapter Ten

Sean watched as Krista’s face drained of color. She looked up at him with giant eyes, seemingly waiting for a reaction. Not sure what was happening, just that impulse said she needed soothing, he reached out to put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Then it happened.

She flinched mightily, shrinking back until she had sunk in on herself, curling herself into as much of a ball as she could while still staying on the bar stool.

“I’m sorry—are you okay?” Sean asked quickly, not sure what to do.

“Excuse me, I—I have to use the restroom.” And she was gone, hurrying away with tears in her eyes.

Sean stared after her. Someone had done a number on that girl. He’d never seen a woman her age look so scared. What the hell had happened in her past to make such a strong woman tear up at a playful punch? Was it parents, or a boyfriend? Whatever it was, it was serious.

Sean wished he knew her friends. He wanted to know more about this. He wanted to help if he could. She was worth it. Even if he never got that date, she was a good person. She didn’t deserve this baggage, whatever it was.

He wanted the address of this guy. He also realized that he needed to stay the hell away from her. She didn’t need whatever baggage she had, and she certainly didn’t need any of his. And Sean had plenty of his own.

When Krista got back she was under control, but apologetic. Her eyes stayed downcast as she climbed back onto her stool. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hit you.”