"Of course. It''s a good chance to get some acting tips from Mr. Taylor," Yvonne replied with a polite smile, and they walked out of the studio together toward the hotel.


    They had just reached the hotel entrance when the piercing re of a car horn cut through the night. Blinding headlights shed on, pinning them in the spotlight.


    Yvonne instinctively raised her arm to shield her eyes. Thomas frowned, looking toward the source of the light.


    A ck Mercedes was parked there, its dark frame almost invisible against the night, which was why they hadn''t noticed it before.


    The driver''s-side door opened, and Bet stepped out, still dressed in his crisp military uniform.


    He didn''t walk over, but instead leaned casually against the car door, lowered his gaze, and lit a cigarette, taking a slow drag.


    Thomas looked away from the car and back at Yvonne, smiling. "Your husband''s here."


    Her eyes finally adjusting to the bright light, Yvonne gave Thomas a polite nod. "Mr. Taylor, I''ll let you go on ahead. See you tomorrow."


    Then, like a happy bird, she hurried over and threw herself into Bet''s arms.


    He wrapped one arm around her, the other still holding the cigarette.


    Yvonne''s brow furrowed slightly. She plucked the cigarette from his fingers, stubbed it out, and tossed it away.


    “Are you smoking again?” she demanded, her beautiful, fox-like eyes wide as she pouted at him.


    "My mistake. It won''t happen again,” Bet said, a smile in his voice as he pleaded for forgiveness.


    “I''ll forgive you this time, but don''t let it happen again,” Yvonne said, then snuggled happily into his embrace. "What are you doing here?"


    “I was in the area for work and decided to stop by,” he replied offhandedly as he opened the passenger door.


    Yvonne got in and, without waiting for him, buckled her own seatbelt.


    "Have you eaten?" Bet asked as he slid into the driver''s seat and started the


    car.


    Yvonne shook her head. "I was going to eat at the hotel, but now I expect Mr. Bet Thompson to treat me."


    Bet kept one hand on the wheel and used the other to ruffle her hair, a smile ying on his lips. “And what would Ms. Jones like to eat?"


    "How about a steakhouse?" Yvonne suggested after a moment, her eyes sparkling with a bright smile.


    Bet was so easy to win over. She didn''t even have to say anything sweet; she just had to give him a


    little time, and he''de around on his own.


    Bet turned the steering wheel, merging onto the main road and taking the next exit.


    He chose a nearby steakhouse with a nice ambiance and a promising menu.


    "I didn''t want to pick anywhere too far, so you can get back to the hotel at a reasonable time,” he exined, wiping a set of silverware before. handing it to her.  t?


    Yvonne nodded and picked up her knife and fork to cut her steak.


    Her steak-cutting skills were as clumsy as ever. In the end, Bet cut his own and then swapped his te with hers.


    As she ate the tender steak, Yvonne casually brought up the subject of Thomas joining the cast.


    "This is apany-produced show,


    and we were having trouble finding the right leading man. The director felt Mr. Taylor was a great fit for the role, and he''s obviously a fantastic actor Luckily, he was avable. All our interactions are strictly professional. But you know how fans love to read into things, and the studio might need to drum up


    publicity. So, if any rumors start flying around, don''t pay them any mind."