Matt sighed, sitting up and turning to face her. “Look, don’t worry. I said I’m in and I’m in…” He paused, diminishing the strength of his commitment. “Arman just has another audition lined up for me as well,” he said casually.

Too casually. He was obviously hiding excitement.

Be supportive. This is a good thing. “Can you talk about it?”

His smile was wide as he said, “Not officially…but between us?”

She nodded. She was a vault.

“It’s the lead in the new Michael Miller action drama that was announced last week.”

Her mouth dropped. Michael Miller was the hottest new director on the scene. At only twenty-five, he’d made blockbuster record sales with his last movie about aliens fighting robots for control over the human race. She’d reached out to him about this particular project months ago and had gotten the “no response means no” reply from his agent. And now Matt, the “one movie under his belt” Hollywood newbie, was being offered an audition to star as the lead?

Professional jealousy could destroy a Hollywood power couple. She took a deep breath and hoped her smile looked genuine as she said, “That is amazing. You deserve it.” He did deserve it. He was supertalented. And it wasn’t as though he was stealing a role from her. It just bummed her out that she wasn’t getting an opportunity to audition to play the opposite lead. Working with him on a blockbuster film would be incredible. A boost both their careers needed. Walking a red carpet with him on a Michael Miller film would solidify their status in both their professional and personal lives.

He stood and joined her on her chair. He reached for her and pulled her close. As he buried his head into her neck, some of the tension evaporated. The man did things to her that turned her insides to mush. And how did he smell so incredible first thing in the morning?

“I’m a newbie, remember? I can’t turn things down and still hope to get opportunities like you can.” He kissed along her neck and shoulder, and shivers danced along her spine. The romance and attraction she’d portrayed on-screen couldn’t begin to measure up to this real-life romance with him. Did he feel it, too? “You’ve proven yourself and have had an amazing career.” His words were muffled against her ear. “You can afford to take risks. I can’t yet.”

Her body tingled with desire and his words reassured her. He was right. She was at the point in her career where she could take risks. He wasn’t. And maybe if he got the role in the bigger film, it would actually help the indie project’s success. A rising tide lifted all ships, right?

She turned to look at him, taking his face between her hands. “You are going to blow them away,” she said sincerely.