Hollywood Princess by Dana Aynn Levin Page A

strong before I can go back on pointe.”
    “Baby, I’m so sorry.”
    “I know.” I tried smiling but couldn’t. “Dance was going to be my major. Now....”
    “Danny, are you still coming to rugby?” Shane interrupted.
    Danny frowned. “Eli, I have practice at two.  I thought you’d come.”
    Shane and I exchanged confused glances. Then we glanced at Danny. Was Danny nuts?  The field had to be a muddy mess from the rain.
    “I’m on crutches,” I blurted out, not believing I had to state the obvious.
    “I was going to bring a folding chair,” Danny said defensively.
    I was appalled, but his offer was so thoughtful.
    “Danny, the only girls who attend practice are girl friends,” I said crossly.
    “Eli, you can come. The guys won’t care.”
    “I will care. Danny, if I show up, it looks like I’m your girlfriend.”
    “You’re not?” Shane asked.
    “No, I’m not. I don’t want it to look that way either.”
    Danny frowned. “I don’t agree.”
    “You know I’m right.”
    “Elizabeth is right,” Shane interjected.
    Danny ignored him. “You’re not right, Eli. I want you there.”
    “It’s not happening, Daniel.” I said in frustration. When would he learn that the spoiled, petulant act did not work with me? If anything, it made me more stubborn.
    “Please get me my crutches. I want to go back to my room,” I insisted.
    Danny and I left the dining hall in silence. Once away from the building, Danny stopped.
    “Eli, what’s going on? You’ve never cared if anyone thought you were my girl.”
    For the first time, I cared because becoming his girl seemed within reach. Danny shouldn’t see me in the role until he was ready to cast me. I wouldn’t tell him this, though.  Instead…
    “You’re being very self-centered. I just told you how upset I am at having to change my major, and like a spoiled child you keep going on about rugby.  My major is damned more important than rugby,” I scowled.
    Danny frowned. Then he flushed.
    “Eli, you’re angry with me?” he asked in disbelief.
    “Yes. I am, Daniel.”
    Danny looked as though I’d slapped his face. He was at a loss. Danny was not used to anger from girls. Most were afraid to challenge him, grateful that he even spoke to them. I was not one of his worshippers and he knew it. 
    Danny sighed, resigned. “Eli, you’re right. Your major is more important. And I don’t want you at rugby unless I’m ready to go public.”
    I smiled at Danny and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. It’s difficult for someone as pig-headed as you to apologize.”
    “I am not pig.” Danny began to protest. “Okay. I am pig-headed,” he relented. I touched Danny’s lips with my finger and smiled.
    “Even if you are pig-headed, I’ll still be your best friend.”
    “Come here, best friend,” Danny ordered, and he pulled me to his chest. 
    I smiled at him as he hugged me. “This is why I don’t have a love life,” I complained while Danny’s hand lingered on my cheek.”
    “Oh, poor you,” he said in a soft sarcastic voice. “Let me really ruin your love life.”  With that, Danny moved his hand from my cheek through my hair to the nape of my neck, while he sensuously kissed my lips.
    My eyes sprung open. The color rose in my cheeks. I was livid. I wanted to slap Danny more that I had ever wanted to slap anyone. Anger, not pleasure was my reaction. 
    But I was paralyzed, unable to move. If I raised my arm to slap him, my crutch would fall and so would I… into Danny’s arms, because he would catch me before I fell. I’d be back at square one – being held by Danny in public.
    “This is your plan, isn’t it?” I snapped. “Let people think we’re together so nobody will ever ask me out.”
    I was furious with rage. I twisted out of his hold and abruptly turned toward Berkeley Hall. Danny’s stunned expression told me I’d made my point.
    I started as fast as my crutches would go, looking straight ahead at the nearby dorm.