T/W: Mentions drinking alcohol

****

Pedro is smirking as he extends his hand to me. I numbly shake it. He withdraws his hand and I stand there, trying to look like a total idiot.

"It's a pleasure seeing you again," Pedro says, that deep voice of his causing major tingling in my body. The director gives me a curious glance.

"You've met before?" He asks. Pedro smiles.

"Briefly."

"Great. Let's get this screen test done, shall we?" Pedro and I accept the scripts and we go stand on the mark. "Whenever you two are ready."

"Let's go to the last page," Pedro tells me and I flip to the last page. Pedro clears his throat and gets into character. I do the same.

"We've had our differences, I know. But..."

"I really don't think..." I begin.

"Don't think," Pedro says. "Just feel." I stare at him for a nanosecond. "Tell me what's in your heart. Not your mind."

I hesitate. Pedro's gaze is boring into mine.

"I feel...I need...you." Pedro's face breaks into a grin.

"I can't believe you've finally told me." He leans in closer. "I need you, too." We're just gazing at each other, completely oblivious to the director.

"Cut!" I jump and step away from Pedro. I look at the director. He's beaming. I silently hope that look means he's interested in hiring me.

"That was phenomenal! You two really have such amazing chemistry."

"Thanks," Pedro says.

"Yes, thanks," I echo.

"Don't thank me," James says. "You two just have something special."

"I agree." Pedro glances over me. I remain calm, even though every single time those beautiful brown eyes find mine, my heart starts tap dancing in my chest.

"I want you both," James is saying. "I can't deny the chemistry."

"You're serious?" My voice sounds like I've swallowed helium. James grins.

"Absolutely!"

"Thanks." Pedro and I chat a little more with the director before heading out.

"I'm looking forward to working with you," Pedro says. I notice how Mel is eyeing him.

"I hope you won't end up regretting it." I can't stop the words from jumping out. Pedro frowns.

"Why would I regret it? You're a talented actress."

"I'm sure you've heard the rumors." Mel rushes over, attempting to do damage control.

"Begging your pardon," Mel interjects, pinching my upper arm. "Charley doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut."

I glare at her, trying to push her fingers off of my arm. Pedro just smiles.

"I may have heard a thing or two," he admits. "But I'm not going to regret anything."

"We'll see if you're still singing that same tune by the time we finish filming," I murmur. Pedro's expression softens.

"I stand by my statement." He gives me a wink and my entire body goes slack. If Mel hadn't been holding me up, I'm positive I would have ended up on the floor. "I'll see you in a few days, Charley."

"Y..Yeah," I gasp out. "Y..You too." Mel is chuckling and I whip my head around, scowling.

"Shut up!"

"I didn't say anything," she protests. Smirks. "Yet." Still scowling, I straighten up, heading for the exit. Mel follows.

"At least I'll be working," I say,  stepping out into the bright sunshine and slipping on my sunglasses.

"With that fine piece of work." Mel smirks.

"Pedro," I say, clipping each word. "He has a name. It's Pedro."

"You like him," Mel taunts.

"It doesn't matter," I say. "I doubt someone like that would be interested in a screw up like me."

Mel grabs my arm and twirls me around so we're facing. She has that pitiful sympathetic look etched into her face and immediately, I'm on defense.

"Don't talk about yourself like that," she murmurs. "You're not a screw up. Just misunderstood." I wrench myself free from her grasp and keep walking.

"Char, come on. Don't shut down like this," Mel pleads.

"You started it," I snap quietly. "Teasing me about Pedro."

"I'm sorry," she murmurs. "I realized how much you like him and couldn't resist. Can you forgive me?"

I sigh, my steps slowing. I know Mel didn't mean any harm.

"Fine. You're forgiven." Mel smiles as she slings an arm around my shoulders and we continue forward.

"I think you should ask Pedro out."

"He could be seeing someone else," I say.

"Pretty sure he's single," Mel says, smirking. I roll my eyes. We reach my apartment building and....a few paparazzi are waiting. Immediately they're snapping photos and shouting out questions. I quickly slip into the building, ignoring them all.

"I'm seriously moving," I grumble as I make for the stairs and start climbing.

"If you do, I'm begging you; hire a moving company because there's no way I'm lugging all your crap downstairs," Mel says. I chuckle, my earlier bad mood dissolving. We reach my apartment on the third floor and I unlock the door and we go inside.

I slip off my sunglasses and go sit down. Mel studies me. I lift my eyes.

"What?"

"I know I've teased you about liking Pedro but....he really does seem like a great guy."

"Which is a good reason for me to keep my distance."

"Would you stop already with the negative energy?" Mel frowns  disapprovingly at me.

"Don't give me that look," I say crisply. "Do you honestly think Mr. Golden Boy would risk tarnishing his spotless life by getting involved with me?"

"Charley, so you made some crappy decisions early on in your career. Doesn't mean that Pedro is going to punish you for them."

"I don't want him to know," I say flatly.

"Why not?" Mel narrows her eyes at me. I jump up, heading for the kitchen.

"I need a glass of wine." As I'm pulling out the bottle of wine, I hear the sound of Mel's footsteps slapping against the floor tiles. She appears in the entrance, scowling.

"One glass," she says firmly. I roll my eyes.

"Okay, Mom," I can't resist.

"You're starting filming in the morning," Mel reminds me. "If you show up hung over, you risk forfeiting this role. Which need I remind you, you haven't worked in almost a year."

I salute her, taking a long swig of the wine. Mel continues to eye me. I take another swig and recork the bottle and replace it in the fridge. Mel relaxes.

"Happy?" I ask, although there's no acid in my tone. Mel nods.

"I still think you and Pedro could have something," she says. I roll my eyes, returning to the living room.

"Just drop it okay?" I say quietly. "I'm not getting too attached to Pedro Pascal.  Period."

***

The following morning, Mel and I are riding in the car to the set. It's five in the morning and I'm barely awake. As we pull up to the gate and the security guard checks our ID's and then is punching in the code to unlock the gate.
Another driver pulls in and....as the car rolls to a stop, I see Pedro pulling in behind us. Instantly, my heart starts to tap dance in my chest. Although Pedro's only wearing a graphic t-shirt and jeans, he looks incredible.

He climbs out of his car and immediately spots me. His face lights up and he hurries over to greet me.

"Good morning, Charley." Pedro is smiling and my stomach is flip flopping wildly. I paste my own smile on.

"Good morning, Pedro. Hope you're ready for today." He chuckles.

"I am. Are you?" I nod. Pedro glances over at Mel, who's scrolling through her phone.

"You seem to have a shadow," he murmurs.

"Mel's just protective," I say. Pedro studies me for a few minutes before smiling.

"I think it's great, having someone who you can really count on," he says softly. I smile.

"It really is."

"Mr. Pascal?" A young woman is standing there, wearing a headphone set and holding a clipboard. "Miss Evans? We're ready for you both in hair and makeup."

Pedro smiles, motioning for me to go ahead of him. I smile, heading into the trailer. We both have a seat and the people get to work. Half an hour later, we're headed to wardrobe.

"I have a confession to make," Pedro whispers to me. Immediately I'm on guard.

"Yeah?"

"I was really excited when I learned that you were one of the top candidates for this role." I frown.

"Why?"

"I've been a fan of your work since I first saw you in Morning After," Pedro says, smiling. My face must go pale because Pedro's face automatically takes on a concerned look.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No. It's fine." I pick up my pace, and luckily one of the costume designers is ready for me. I glance over at Pedro, who looks confused and a little bewildered. I turn away, silently cursing myself. Mel's right, I never do know when to keep my mouth shut.