Read Online The Collision on Hardwood Drive by Elizabeth Bryant - Free Book Online Page B

in just as I was packing my bags.
    “Stephanie, hey!” he said . “I didn’t think any cast was going to be here today.”
    “Hi, Joe,” I said, giving him a quick hug. He wrapped his arms around, seemingly eager for the contact. I tried not to flinch away. “It’s just me today. I thought I’d sneak in a few extra hours.”
    He smiled at me for a moment, almost expectantly. I wasn’t sure what to say, what he wanted me to say.
    “Well,” I started, hesitantly. “I better get going.”
    “Sure—yeah. Don’t let me keep you,” he said. He paused for a moment before continuing, “Well, wait—what are you doing today?”
    Shit . Then, I realized that this might be the perfect chance to take him up on that coffee invite—see where this goes before making any bad decisions with Rob.
    “Oh!” I exclaimed, trying to make it sound as if the thought just occurred to me. “Actually, I was meeting a girlfriend for coffee this afternoon—would you like to come with us?”
    I could kill two birds with one stone like this. I’d get the chance to see if I enjoyed Joe’s company outside the studio , and I could get Claire’s opinion of him—perfect.
    Joe’s face reddened slightly, making his blonde hair look even paler.
    “Yeah,” he said. “Yeah, I’d really like that—thanks.”
    “Great,” I said, smiling. “We’re meeting at 4:30 p.m. at Raymond’s. It’s not gourmet Italian coffee, but it’s not bad. Do you know the place? It’s on Delancey.”
    He nodded, excitement flooding his expression. It was sweet how pleased he seemed to have been invited. “Sounds great. I’ll see you there.”
    I arrived at Raymond’s before Joe, but after Claire. She was already waiting out front, looking fabulously chic as usual. She flashed her signature grin and winked at me as I approached her. She threw her arms around me and said, her voice booming, “Hey, babycakes! What’s new?”
    “Shh, inside voices,” I said, pulling her into the coffee shop with me. “So, I ran into Joe at the studio this morning.”
    “Joe?” she asked, her face clearly stating that the name was unfamiliar to her.
    “ Really , Claire?” I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help smiling. “Come on, the set designer from the Academy. He asked me to coffee. Nice guy, anti-Rob. Seriously, you don’t remember any of that? Why do I even bother?”
    Recognition finally passed over her features. “Oh, shit, sorry—that part of the story wasn’t quite as memorable as the part about Rob Huntley. You know, the sex god.”
    I smothered another laugh against the palm of my hand. “Oh, God, stop it! And start to remember Joe because he’s on his way here. He asked me what I was doing this afternoon, and I told him I was going out for coffee with you. I figured you’d want to meet him, anyway. Let me know what you think.”
    Claire smiled mischievously. “Oh, I would love to meet Joe,” she drawled, conjuring up her best Southern belle persona.
    “Be nice,” I said, trying to reprimand her as a mother might. “Please, Claire. He’s a sweetheart!”
    She smiled back, feigning sweetness. “I’m always nice, Steph,” she said innocently.
    I rolled my eyes. Claire’s biting wit usually came out to play in situations like this. She only used it when she thought it was called for, but she usually thought it was called for.
    Joe arrived at the coffee shop just a few minutes past four-thirty. He looked a little flustered, as if he’d just sprinted to get here. “Sorry, Steph,” he said as soon as he saw us. “I got a little lost on the way here.”
    I shook my head and told him it was fine, introducing him to Claire instead of letting him ramble. I noticed how he shook her hand—weak and limp. Claire was old school and judged people on the strength of their handshake.
    We sat down at a table by the window after we ordered our drinks. Claire asked all the appropriate getting-to-know-you questions, playing nice for now. Joe