Page 78 of Play Room Actor

I wanted nothing more than to wrap an arm around Dominic’s waist and pull him closer, just so this guy would know exactly who Dominic belonged to. But of course, I didn’t. Instead, I moved next to Dominic, making it clear—at least a little bit—where this journalist’s place was.

“Oh! Kilian da Silva, right?” he said as if he hadn’t noticed my maneuver. “How are you? It’s been ages!”

“Yeah,” I replied with a fake smile. “Sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”

“Livio!” he answered. “Livio Tanner.”

“Right. Sorry. It really has been a long time.”

“You two know each other?” Dominic asked, sounding surprised.

“Yes,” Livio said, with a glint in his eye that made me uneasy. “You just run into people sometimes.”

“And how exactly do you know each other?” I asked.

“Through a mutual friend,” Dominic jumped in too quickly.

Livio only smiled and gave him a mischievous wink.

No, he’s flirting with him. Seriously? What the hell is this?

“Okay, guys, I’ve got to run,” Livio said—thankfully. “But I’d love to see you again sometime.” His suggestive tone was clearly aimed at Dominic. “And feel free to bring your cutie here along if you want,” he added, this time winking at me.

I froze like a stone beside Dominic, my eyes glued to Livio—not watching, exactly, but making sure as he walked back to Theo to grab his things and said his goodbyes to the director. When he turned back one last time to wave at us, a cold shiver trickled down my spine.

Livio was a parasite, and I didn’t want Dominic anywhere near him.

“Has he already called you?” I asked bluntly.

Dominic frowned as he took out his phone. A missed call flashed on the screen.

“Delete his number,” I instructed.

Dominic brushed it off with a laugh and shoved his phone back into his pocket. “Forget about it.”

“Where do you know him from?” I pressed.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Dominic turned to head back onstage, but I blocked his path.

“And I’m just supposed to forget it, huh?”

“You know him too.”

“Yeah, because every few months he drops in here to write a piece about the latest production,” I shot back, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “The guy looks more messed up every time. Like some drug addict or something. Where do you know him from?”

Something shifted in Dominic’s expression. He tilted his head like I’d just said the craziest thing imaginable.

I wasn’t sure if I had. My brain still felt a little foggy, and sometimes that meant I couldn’t control what came out of my mouth. But as off-base as Dominic’s look suggested I was, I didn’t think I’d said anything that wrong. He recoiled and curled his lip, as if he were disgusted with me.

I raised my brows and waited for him to answer.

“From parties,” he said irritably. “I know him from parties. Happy now?”

Now I was the one grimacing. That wasn’t much of an answer. “I don’t want you hanging out with that guy. He’s no good. That guy’s toxic, and the way you’re acting right now proves it. God, Dominic. I’m not blind.”

“Are you insane?” Dominic’s voice was a low, threatening growl. “Why should I take orders from you?”