"Can't win for losing," I mumbled then took off after Dani.

I didn't have to go far. She was huddled on the steps of my trailer. I took a few cautious steps toward her.

Dani's head jerked up, and a smile flashed across her face. She typed on her phone then stood.

Dani: Trailer's locked, need to grab my purse so I can go home. Unless you need me for something else?

I did.

In fact, I wanted to make a list, and at the top of it? Making out like a teenager, something I hadn't done in years. Why make out when most girls I'd been with had been so aggressive the kissing had lasted maybe five minutes, and suddenly my pants were on the floor, and their tops were flying onto the nearest piece of furniture?

There was no savoring.

But Dani? I wanted to learn to savor.

Seventeen.

"Um, no." I shoved my hands in my pockets, my fingers coming into contact with my wallet and the tickets to Newport Aquarium my publicist had given me a few weeks ago.

She'd wanted me to go when I had a day's break from filming. Something about Shamu being back, and it being good PR to be friendly to the animals.

But I had a very serious whale… thing.

As in, I was a bit terrified of them.

So I'd told her she'd have to send someone else.

Dani started to walk off without her purse.

"Wait!" I quickly ran into my trailer, grabbed it for her then handed it over, all the while wondering how I was going to get her to spend more time with me.

She turned, her eyes cautious.

"The Newport Aquarium, how far is it?"

She frowned then started typing on her phone again.

Dani: A few hours, why?

"We need to go."

Yeah I just said we.

Dani: We?

I nodded. "It's a PR thing. I don't have any filming for two days, so I thought you could take me and help me."

Dani: You need help driving?

My body felt itchy as I tried to think of a good excuse.

"No." I cleared my throat. "Not like that. It's just never smart for me to go out by myself. If I'm recognized and not with someone, I usually get mauled, but if people assume you're my girlfriend…"

Her eyes went completely dead.

As in the light that I'd somehow left there after she'd overheard me call her a girl — vanished.

She shook her head no.

"But…" I licked my lips. "… I'm paying you. Being my assistant is your job, and that includes doing things that sometimes you don't want to do."

I was actually blackmailing her to go to the aquarium with me — to see a whale that had the first name Killer, and all because I wanted to make it right.

Or kiss her?

Or just spend time with her?

Hell, I didn't even know anymore.

My phone buzzed.

I looked down.

Dani: I'm only saying yes because I don't want you to fire me.

I groaned aloud. "Dani, I'm not going to fire you."

Dani: Pick me up tomorrow at six. We'll take my car. Unless you wanted to hire some sort of limo to cart your ass everywhere?

I grinned at her limo comment.

"Would that make it easier for you to ride in the car?" I asked honestly.

She hesitated then rolled her eyes and typed more on her phone.

Dani: All cars suck. But I've never ridden in a limo so jury's still out. Tomorrow.

When I looked up, she was already walking away.

Without missing a beat, I clicked the home button on my phone and spoke. "Siri, what's the closest limo service?"

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Dani

DREAMING OF LINCOLN WAS SO NOt what I needed. But dream I did. I dreamt of his kiss, I dreamt of his lips, and when I woke up in a cold sweat, my body ached with something I'd never really recognized before, almost like he'd awakened some sort of untapped passion or desire. Great, just great. Not only was I unable to speak, but now I was a sexually frustrated mute.

I glanced at the clock. Two a.m. Pris would kill me if I woke her up, especially since she had a really intense few scenes tomorrow with Jaymeson, another reason Lincoln had the next day and a half off.

It was Tuesday, and he didn't need to report back until Wednesday at noon.

I lay back against the headboard, slamming my skull softly against the fabric.

Just as I reached for my phone, it went off.

Lincoln: Can't sleep.

Dani: You have a pig. Stop texting me.

I dropped my phone onto the table and forced my eyes to close.

Sleep lasted until five when my annoying, chipper alarm woke me up. Lincoln had left me a text saying he'd meet me at my house, which was good since I was already dragging my feet. I quickly showered, pulled my hair into a low, messy bun, and threw on a vintage T-shirt with a pair of ripped jeans and my Converse. I looked seventeen.

A sharp pain sliced through my chest.

It wasn't as if I hadn't known Lincoln thought that way about me, but it still sucked hearing him say it out loud.

A girl.

I may as well be in overalls and pigtails.

Ugh.

The door to my sister and Jay's room was open, lights off, I vaguely remembered them saying they had a call time of five a.m. Sucked to be them.

With a grumble, I walked into the kitchen and yawned as I poured myself a cup of readymade coffee.

"Please, help yourself," a smooth male voice said from behind me.

I dropped the hot coffee all over my hand, and let out a little cry as a burn sizzled down the back of my right hand.