'Tony's an old friend,' she answered casually.

'Hey, sweetie, it's me you're talking to. I know all about old friends.' He took another hearty swig of Scotch and leaned across the table. 'Are you fucking him?'

'Linc!' she said, managing to look affronted. 'We don't know each other well enough for you to ask me those kinds of personal questions.'

His hand slid under the table and on to her knee. 'It's about time we got to know each other better.'

She promptly removed his hand.

'You're not getting shy on me, are you?'

'I think you're forgetting you're a married man.'

'So what?' he said carelessly. 'You're a married woman.'

I'm getting a divorce,' she reminded him.

'Hey,' he said ruefully, 'the way things are going, I might soon be joining you.'

'I thought you and your wife were so blissfully happy?'

'Yeah, yeah,' he said, draining his glass and signalling the waiter to bring him another drink. 'Shelby's the best. Only she's in this movie with her tits all over the screen an' I don't like it.'

'I saw the film in Cannes,' Lola said.

'How d'ya think seein' my wife like that makes me feel?' he complained. 'What would she do if it was me up there with my dick hanging out?'

'If it was worth seeing, I'm sure the women in America would be very happy.'

'It's worth seein' all right,' he boasted, with a drunken leer.

'Lucky you,' Lola murmured.

After dinner the booze began to kick in big-time. 'You got great tits,' he said, attempting to grab a feel. 'I like that in a woman.'

She fended him off with a sharp slap.

Reducing Linc Blackwood to rubble was going to be too damn easy. The man was a pathetic drunk. A has-been stud.

Perhaps that was punishment enough.

The moment Cat walked into the screening room with Nick she could tell that Jonas was uptight. Usually they met up, watched the dailies together, took notes, then compared them. Tonight Jonas obviously realized things were different.

'Hey, man,' Nick said, oblivious to any atmosphere, 'I gotta take a piss. Save me a seat.'

'What's he doing here?' Jonas asked, as soon as Nick left to visit the men's room.

'He caught me on my way out,' Cat explained.

'I thought we agreed we weren't going to have actors see the dailies.'

'Nick says it helps him with his performance.'

'So you said yes.'

'Don't be so uptight. He's an okay guy.'

'Yesterday you were calling him a lech.'

'He's a lech, too. A leg-over merchant, as they say in England.'

'How's he getting back to his car?'

'Dunno,' she said vaguely. 'You can drive him.'

'Forget it.'

'What's up with you?'

'Nothing.'

'Actually, Nick saved me from Jump. My dear almost ex was being a major pain.'

'I told you I'd stay and run interference,' Jonas reminded her.

'No need. I handled it.'

'With Nick's help.'

'Yes, Jonas, with Nick's help. Do you mind?'

'Where's Jump now?'

'Back at his hotel. Can you imagine?' she added indignantly. 'He had the balls to inform me that I'd be nothing if it wasn't for him.'

'He's only saying that to irritate you.'

'Well, it worked.'

Nick returned and sat down next to her. Cat gave the signal for the projectionist to run the film.

She hunched forward in her seat, watching intently. On screen Nick was a powerful presence with his intense eyes, sexy mouth, and a brooding quality that worked well for his character.

She felt chills. The movie was going so well. How had she got this lucky?

When the lights went up, Nick lit a cigarette and glanced over at Jonas - the only other person in the screening room. 'How about I buy you guys dinner?' he said. 'I got a permanent table at Ago.'

'I can't,' Jonas said, still uptight.

'C'mon, man. We'll chug a coupla beers and-'

'I've got work to do,' Jonas interrupted. 'So do you,' he said, staring pointedly at Cat.

She hated people telling her what to do. Jonas might be the big brother she'd never had, but that didn't mean he was free to boss her around. Besides, tonight she fancied hanging out. 'I think I'll go grab a plate of pasta with Nick,' she said, infuriating Jonas even further.

'Hey, Jonah, whyn't you make the cut?' Nick asked.

'It's Jonas.'

'Sorry, man.'

'Are you sure-' Cat began. Before she could finish, Jonas had made a fast exit.

'Somethin' I said?' Nick remarked.

'He's got work to do. Jonas is very conscientious.'

'Seems like a good dude.'

'He is.'

'Kinda buttoned up.'

'Not really.'

'Yeah. Really.'

'Hmmm...'

'You happy with the dailies?' Nick asked, as they walked out of the screening room.

'Are you?' she countered.

'Never like watching myself.'

'You told me it helps you with your performance.'

'I was lying.'

'Why?'

"Cause I fancied spending time with you,' he said, casually throwing his arm round her shoulders.

'You're crazy.'

'Never said I wasn't.'

'Try and keep the bullshit charm for in front of the camera.'

'How about this time I drive?' he said, as they approached her car.

'No way.'

'Hate to tell you this, Blondie, but you drive like a girl.'

'Flattery's gonna get you all the way to nowhere.'

'Okay,' he said, with a half-grin. 'You win. But this is only a skirmish. When it comes to the battle - I got you beat.'

'You think?'

'I know.'

By the time they were through with dinner, Linc was so bombed that he could barely stand up. Lola remained stone cold sober. No alcohol was coming between her and her looks, not unless it was the best Cristal champagne, and even then she only indulged in a glass or two.

Linc was all over her, pawing and touching, his hand attempting to creep up her skirt. She slapped him off like a particularly annoying puppy, which failed to stop him trying. She intimated that if he came back to her hotel things would heat up. He was hot to trot.

Mama Mario would not allow him to pick up the check. 'You be back soon with your bella, signora Shelby,' she said, throwing another disapproving look Lola's way.

'We were rehearsing a scene,' Lola offered. 'You shouldn't read anything into it.'

'Ha!' the older woman sniffed.

As soon as they walked out of the restaurant, the paparazzi sprang into action.

Earlier, Lola had issued instructions to Big Jay to let everyone know where she was and with whom.

'I wonder who called them?' she asked innocently. As the cameras began flashing, she turned to Linc, took his face in both her hands and planted a big kiss on his lips. 'Thanks for dinner,' she whispered. 'It was nice, even though we didn't get to discuss the script. I love that you found time to listen to my problems. You're such a sweetheart.' Then she kissed him again.

She knew perfectly well what the photos would look like when they appeared.

Nobody would hear the dialogue, they'd simply view the action.

'Put him in a cab,' she said to Big Jay, ducking into her limo while the paparazzi continued to flash.

Linc started to follow her.

Big Jay blocked his way. 'Ms Sanchez says you should take a cab,' Big Jay announced.

'What the fuck...' Linc mumbled, unsteady on his feet. 'Shit! I'm not feeling great, those fuckin' flashbulbs are ruining my eyeballs. What the fuck's goin'

on?'

Big Jay hailed down a cab, told the driver where to go, and bundled Linc into the back seat. Then he joined his boss in the limo.

'Some stud,' Lola murmured. 'Bloodshot eyes and boozy breath. Oooh, I'm sooo unhappy I didn't end up with him.'

Big Jay stared straight ahead. He knew better than to comment.