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diagram.” I could feel my face heating up, and it ticked me off that Rory was so good at embarrassing me.
    Rory folded his arms, clearly on a roll. “So on a scale of one to ten, one being you’d let him peek at your panties and ten being you’d swing naked on his chandelier, what would you say—”
    â€œOK, people, we’re ready to continue!” Sean shouted. “Places everyone.”
    There was a flurry of movement as the actors and crew returned to work.
    Rory winked. “Good luck, doll.”
    I scowled at him, but he ignored me. He sauntered back to the piano and started playing “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”
    Taking my place at the bar, I tried to suppress the flurry of nerves Rory had elicited.
    This isn’t your first stage kiss. It’s acting. It means nothing, said the professional actress.
    But you get to kiss Antonio Lopez! squealed the yearning girl.
    As the hairstylist fluffed up my hair, I let the yearning girl win me over. A little excitement wasn’t going to hurt my performance, and since the kiss was in the script, what was the harm in enjoying it?
    Sean called for everyone to settle down, and Joanne counted off to begin the scene. I started my cross to Antonio, pretending not to notice him at first, then agreeing to join him for a second as he—I mean, as Kostas—spilled his troubles to Ariel.
    I sat beside him, folding a napkin tentatively, even shyly. The lines fell from my lips as if we were in normal conversation. I wasn’t sure I was sticking to the script, but I felt confident I was turning in one of the finest performances of my life.
    â€œNo one understands,” Kostas said. “But you ... ?” He turned my hand and ran a finger along my palm, eliciting a tiny stir inside me. “You seem to know. It’s as if you’ve come from another world.”
    I lifted my chin to him, tears in my eyes. “I can’t tell you of my past,” I said. “I wish I knew. But I do understand. I can’t help but see how you feel, deep in your soul. Somehow, I know.”
    He tilted his head toward mine, so close I could feel his breath stirring my hair.
    â€œYes,” he whispered, his gorgeous face closing in on me. “I believe you do.”
    I stopped breathing as his lips pressed against mine for the kiss. Most actors sort of maul you with a closed mouth, but Antonio opened his lips to mine and gently teased my upper lip with his tongue. With a moan, I opened my mouth and let my tongue edge along the smooth surface of his even teeth.
    Heaven ... the man was sweet heaven.
    â€œAnd ... cut!”

5
    Alana
    â€œH e really kissed you?” I asked Hailey as she popped the end of a watercress sandwich into her mouth. She looked cuter than ever in her low-waisted jeans, purple T and Jimmy Choo stiletto boots, her blond hair loose and shiny on her shoulders. “You were just kissed by Antonio Lopez?”
    â€œMm-hmm!” She nodded enthusiastically, her eyes round with amazement as she chewed on the dainty little sandwich from the elegant platter served in the lobby dining area of the Plaza Hotel.
    I leaned forward, lowering my voice. “Tongue and all?” Just the idea of being within inches of Antonio Lopez was provocative, but to receive a hot, juicy kiss ...
    â€œTongue and teeth! I’ve never had that happen while performing. I mean, whew! We were on fire.” Hailey waggled her hands, air-quenching the imaginary flames.
    â€œGood for you, honey!” I toasted her with my china cup, so glad to be back in my city, sharing high tea with my good friend. “So ... then what? What happened next? Tell me everything!”
    â€œThere’s nothing else to tell! He nailed me with the kiss, I melted inside, and then, when the director yelled cut, he dropped me like a sack of potatoes. I’m telling you, that man can turn the heat on and off like a faucet.”
    â€œShe said with