Page 33 of Cosplay & Consequences

I was impressed. Again. And then I realized something. “Oh my God. You’re a total geek, aren’t you?”

He laughed. “Guilty. My years in glee club and high school musicals didn’t make me a popular kid in school.”

I raised an eyebrow at that. The thought of him singing popped into my head again and part of me craved to hear his voice. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Mission Verde High School was more sports oriented than theatrical,” he replied, smirking. “If you didn’t score a touchdown or hit a home run, you weren't of much value.”

I rubbed my chin, trying to stop my smile from getting wider.

He sat back, with an amused grin. “What’s that look on your face?”

“I’m trying to imagine you dancing and singing songs from Journey.”

“We were edgier than that and sang Bon Jovi covers,” he replied. He took a deep breath and then knocked his knuckles on the table.

“Okay. I’ve made a decision. I’m not going to ask you for my favor. Instead, let’s do something else. First, I’m reading the books. Hopefully, that helps me earn my soul back.”

I cringed. Knowing a little more about Daniel had put him in a different light. Some of the words I said earlier today felt way too harsh. Especially with his efforts and trying to make things right. “I shouldn’t have said-”

He stopped me by taking my hand. “Don’t excuse what I did. I’m making amends. The day after tomorrow, we’re shooting a fan trailer with me as Tyrst’an that we’re going to release online.”

And there it was. The favor. “And you want me to endorse you?”

He shook his head vehemently. “No. I don’t want your endorsement if you think you’re obligated. However, I would like it if you were there. I’d like to have a shot at giving your grandmother’s books the Tyrst’an they deserve.”

My heart almost melted at that. “I’m going to be honest. I’m having a hard time being impartial in all of this.”

“Yeah, well, I screwed up a lot, so I get that.”

He still thought he hadn’t earned my trust yet. And as much as I wanted to, I didn’t correct him.

He turned away, his chin dropped down to his chest. I watched him swallow hard before he continued to speak. “So, bring Brayonna and Bennet with you. Have them keep you honest. I don’t care what the studio says. You don’t even have to come watch me, and you can stay far away from–

“I’m going!” I blurted out.

He sat back in his chair, surprised.

I took a deep breath, trying to control myself a bit better. “You can act. That much is apparent. I’ll come. I’ll judge. I’ll voice my honest opinion. I only ask that you don’t make me regret this.”

Daniel reached out across the table and squeezed my arm. “I won’t. I promise. Thank you.”

There was a long pause as we gazed at each other, small smiles on our faces. “Can I walk you back to the hotel?” he asked.

“Are you sure? A well-known actor and an influencer walking together. What would people think?” I joked.

He scoffed. “I’m not that well known. I also don’t give a damn about what other people would think.”

I wasn’t sure how this man could walk me home, as once again I had melted into a puddle by his words.

We walked side by side, not touching each other. We walked through the lobby and stepped into the empty elevator, standing against opposite walls. An unspoken agreement stood between us. He wanted to earn the right to be Tyrst’an. I wanted to be impartial. Whatever we were feeling was going to have to wait. If it even happened at all.

The doors opened. “This is my floor,” I said with a smirk.

His hand went out to the door, keeping the elevator doors from closing. He gave me a wry smile. “Are you good from here?”

For a moment I saw the same expression in his eyes that I'd seen last night. The expression he had when I pulled him in for our first kiss. Part of me wanted to take his hand and lead him back to my room.

But instead, I smiled and said, “I’m good. Thank you.” And walked out.