Excerpt: 'Bad Romeo' by Leisa Rayven

Leisa Rayven shares an excerpt from her new release, Bad Romeo.

Leisa: For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be an actress. My parents tell a story of me at the age of 2, shushing an entire party of grownups so I could perform for them. Clearly, I was a shy child.

The day I auditioned for drama school was one of the most harrowing experiences of my life, and considering I grew up on a cane farm in Australia that was home to some of the world's most deadly snakes, that's saying something. Still, I guess I did something right, because I was accepted, and have spent many years living out my theatrical dreams.

When it came time to write my first novel, I figured I should write what I know, and so Bad Romeo revolves around drama school, actors, Broadway and second-chance love.

Here's what it's all about:

Cassie Taylor was just another acting student with big dreams when she met Ethan Holt. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy on campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing on stage, Cassie and Ethan's epic romance seemed destined. Until it ended in tragedy when he shattered her heart.

Now they've made it to Broadway where they're reunited as romantic leads once again, and Ethan is determined to make up for past mistakes. But for Cassie, Ethan hurt her too much to ever be trusted again. The trouble is, working with him reminds her that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks. And when it comes to love, sometimes it's the things that aren't good for us that are the most irresistible.

Excerpt:

As I pack away my tablet, I notice Holt on the far side of the café at a table by himself.

Dammit. Of all the diner joints in all the towns in all the world, he has to come to mine. This is supposed to be a Holt-free zone.

As if anticipating my next question, Elissa says, "I'm having lunch with you because I'm sick of his company. Whenever I ask about how things are going between you guys, he clams up."

I shrug and keep eating. I gave up trying to figure out Holt's motivations a long time ago.

"You barely say a word to each other in rehearsals. You won't even look at him, but he spends all his time staring at you. Wanna tell me what's up?"

I sneak a glance over at Holt, who's reading and absently picking at a bowl of fries.

"Nothing's up," I say, and take a sip of my drink. "Just working hard."

She tilts her head, studies me for several seconds, then says, "Are you screwing my brother?"

I laugh and cough at the same time. A dribble of Coke runs down my chin, and I grab a wad of napkins to clean myself.

Holt seems oblivious to our conversation. Thank God.

"Of course I'm not," I whisper. "Do you think I have zero sense of self-preservation?"

She glances at Holt before whispering back, "I think that when it comes to my brother, you can't think straight, and if he wanted to get you into bed, you'd have your legs in the air in about three seconds."

This really isn't a conversation I wanted to have today. Or ever.

I sigh and shake my head. "Look, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still attracted to him. But God, Elissa, that's it. I have no intention of getting back into something with him. Ever."

"But you must still have feelings for him. I thought you'd run a million miles away when you heard he was going to be your leading man. Why didn't you?"

I shrug. "I have no idea."

That wasn't entirely true. I had to see him. I needed for him to tell me he'd made a mistake and was sorry, but I'm starting to doubt that's ever going to happen. Now I think I'm just trying to get through it to prove I can move on without him.

"Well, you have guts, that's for sure," Elissa says. "I mean, I love my brother, but if someone had done to me what he did to you ..." She wipes her mouth with her napkin. "Let's just say, I understand why you stopped taking my calls. When Ethan told me you'd been cast, I thought this was our chance to mend bridges."

"Lissa, you never burned any bridges. Your brother did."

"I know. But I'm glad we're talking again. I've missed you."

I take her hand and squeeze. "I've missed you, too." I hadn't realized how much until now.

"So, Marco's working on the kiss after lunch, huh?" she says as she swirls a fry in some ketchup. "Nervous?"

"No. It's not the first time I've been cast opposite your brother when I couldn't stand the sight of him."

"True. But last time there was less water under the bridge."

"And I was a lot younger and less able to separate reality from fantasy." I take a mouthful of salad, even though I'm not really hungry anymore.

Elissa finishes the last of her grilled cheese before saying, "So you won't have a problem kissing him? It's not going to bring up old feelings?"

I shrug. "There are no old feelings to bring up. They died a long time ago."

She gazes at me for a few seconds, then shakes her head. "Sure they did."

We continue to make small talk, neither one mentioning Ethan again. Our friendship too often revolved around him when it should have just been about us.

As we chat, I notice a trio of girls has gathered around Ethan's table. His groupies. There are always a few of them waiting for him outside the theater. They seem to have a sixth sense about where he's going to be. It's irritating.

They squeal and ask for his picture and autograph. Gaze at him like he's a gift from God. Push out their boobs like they have a chance with him.

If only they knew the truth.

Despite having the face of an angel, he's an evil, Cassie-abandoning bastard.

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Find out more about Leisa and her books at leisarayven.com.