“’Cause I’d be up against every Black actor in town and a few of the stupid white ones.”

“No. Nope. No way. You have to at least float your name. Do not shoot yourself in the foot and keep yourself out of the running.” Black Death was one of those projects he’d wanted since his grandpa had shown him his tattered copy of issue number one. But Hollywood was struggling to let more than one Black superhero shine. “But we’ll come back to that. What’s number three?”

“I want to be in a legit rom-com. Or a romantic period drama if I’m really going for it.”

Amanda leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands, on the back of the couch. “You would be an amazing leading man. A perfect Prince Charming.”

“I like to think so. Not in a cocky way.”

“Why not? Hell, be cocky about it.”

“What’s your big Hollywood dream?”

“Oh, just tons and tons of weird, sweeping, romantic epics in space. I want everything in space. With kissing. Pirates in space, with kissing. A murder mystery in space, with kissing.”

“So you’re not just joking about being a big sci-fi nerd, huh?”

“Not even close.”

“Do you watch Banker Down?”

“Do I watch Banker Down? My first spec script was for Banker Down!”

“Really?”

“Yeah. When I first moved out here. I was young and fresh and so, so naive. I was like, ‘I’ll get staffed in no time.’ Then reality set its phasers to ‘bitch, you thought.’”

Sam burst out laughing. “Can I read it?”

“Ugh. No. It hasn’t aged well. It’s like season four good when I thought it was season one good.”

“I bet it’s dope. My buddy and I just started a rewatch before awards season kicked up. I wanna get back to it.”

“Oh man,” she started, and then yawned. Sam glanced at the clock on the little desk in the corner. It was only eleven, but it had been a long day.

“Should I tuck you in? It’s getting late.”

“If by tuck me in you mean finger bang me until I fall asleep, then yes.”

Sam snorted, then stood to gather everything on the room service platter, glad they’d taken the time they’d needed to talk and connect and refuel. Then he turned back to the bed to get to work.

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Amanda couldn’t believe the night they’d spent together and how much sex they’d had.

Well . . . she could believe that part.