Hollywood Beginnings (A Novella) by Kathy Dunnehoff Read Free Book Online Page A

Sarcastic Guy , who looked about as thrilled to play the game as he'd looked about everything else. "Stay in the circle if you've ever had sex in an elevator."
    Her smile didn't change from oh, you're from Minnesota to ever have elevator sex? She really had a consistent look. She answered her own question with a yes and stayed where she was, but the rest of us noticed that Sarcastic Guy took a step back.
    Brian nudged me with his shoulder. "Looks like it wasn't an adventure with him, huh?" Then he raised an eyebrow at me, affirming my own sexploit. "How many elevators are in Minnesota?"
    "I only needed one."
    I felt him laugh, a shake of humor running through his body. I had to stop myself from grinning any wider. Yeah, maybe a lone sexual encounter with a college boyfriend in a dorm elevator wasn't anything to be proud of, but right then I was glad to be able to stay in the circle. Of course, Brian did too. I ignored the stab of jealousy as it dawned on me he'd taken some woman in one too.
    Perky Gal finally noticed that Sarcastic Guy had stepped back but was unconvinced it hadn't been him steaming up that elevator with her. "Cancun, hon. Remember that weekend we flew down?"
    He quickly swapped his trademark sarcasm for anger. I'm guessing he did not remember.
    Brian, a waver of laughter in his voice, whispered. "Awkward."
    The WTF? couple jumped into the strained silence. "Okay, stay in the circle if you've used a device that requires D batteries."
    Well, crap, I'd have to stay in the circle for that one. I was single. What were the odds I didn't own one or more of those bad boys?
    Brian stayed beside me and that was truly embarrassing. He bumped me again, and I turned to him in self-defense. "I live alone! And hey, what about you?"
    He grinned, his teeth white in the fire glow. "Cordless drill." He took a swig of beer.
    I smiled back. "Yeah, that's what I call mine too."
    He laughed, half choking, and I thumped him on the back as Perky Gal tried to pull Furious Guy back in the circle. "Cancun. Why don't you remember? The elevator was glass!"
    Regular couple broke the silence that hung after she'd said glass . "Stay if you've ever checked up on an old lover."
    Everyone stayed in the circle. Who hadn't stalked a little? I leaned closer to Brian. "I just wanted to know my ex was suffering. Doesn't make me a bad person."
    He seemed to consider that for a moment. "It does, but I think I like that about you."
    Quiet couple was up next, and from across the way it looked like Perky Gal's smile wattage was dimming. She just might have connected the old boyfriend dots.
    Quiet man cleared his throat. "Ever fantasize about Halle Berry?"
    Quiet woman smiled, shook her head, and stepped back.
    The WTF? woman followed because she had clearly never seen Halle Berry as Catwoman. And Perky Gal left because she had to chase her soon to be Ex-Husband to the parking lot. The Regular couple both stepped back, which made Regular Man a Regular Liar .
    Beside me, Brian let out a whistle. "This is extremely hot, Amy."
    I didn't imagine I'd have to justify being the only woman still in the game. I shrugged. "We're talkin' Halle Berry. Seriously?"
    He held up a hand. "Oh, I get it. I'm just moved that you do."
    "I'm heterosexual. Not dead."
    And then we were up for the next question with only Quiet man and WTF? man remaining. Brian seemed to defer to me, but I shook my head. I sure as hell wasn't asking the question.
    Brian took a last sip of beer and tossed the empty into a recycling bin with nothing but net. "Stay in the circle," he looked around, "if you've never had a gritty but pleasurable experience on a beach."
    They all groaned. In Southern California it was probably a rite of passage, all of them spending their teen years fondling each other in sand. Midwest teens had to rent a hotel room on prom night or lose it in the back seat of Billy Conroy's car.
    Everyone left the circle, and I stood alone. I looked back at Brian, and his head tilted