Dunn felt a restless buzz inside him, with two gorgeous women nestled against him. His throat went dry. "Try it out… so we'll start with a trial run?"
Nicole Kidman's voice was soft. "Yeah, have her move in with you for a bit. If it doesn't work out, she can just move out. Us Aussies are straightforward—no messy entanglements. Remember how it was with Naomi?"
Dunn cleared his throat awkwardly. "The main thing is, I've got too many girls already. Energy's running low."
"How many?" Nicole asked.
"Well, there's three big-time models in New York. Here in L.A., not counting short-term flings like Sophie Marceau or Liv Tyler, I've got steady ones—Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz, and my two secretaries. You know them, Isla Fisher and Reese Witherspoon."
Rose Byrne blinked, stunned.
Nicole Kidman just fluttered her lashes, unfazed. "That's it? No more?"
"Uh…" Dunn hesitated. "There's this girl, Anne Hathaway. She reached out once. Left a good impression."
Nicole let out a quiet chuckle. "That's not even that many! I figured, with your personality, you'd have at least a dozen steady girlfriends by now."
Dunn's mouth twitched. "I'm not made of steel!"
Nicole smirked, teasing. "Oh, I know you too well. When you see a top-tier woman, you claim her first, whether you actually 'use' her or not. You've got a serious possessive streak."
Dunn thought it over and shrugged casually. "Maybe. But I don't see it as a flaw. A strong possessive drive just means a strong ambition. That's what makes a successful man."
"Alright, alright, you're a success—the most successful man. Happy now?" Nicole giggled, tossing him a playful glance before nodding toward Rose. "What about her? Don't tell me you're not tempted."
Dunn turned to Rose, who was biting her lip, looking less sure than before. "Rose, I've been with a lot of women, and going forward… there'll be even more. You need to think it through."
"I…" Rose faltered, rattled after hearing Dunn list off so many names.
Nicole furrowed her delicate brows. "What's there to think about? Rose, this is a one-time shot. If you're not in, I'll just find someone else. Like I said, you'd be taking my spot by Dunn's side. I'm sure you get what that means."
Aussie actors in Hollywood were famously tight-knit.
Beyond the '90s trailblazers like Mel Gibson, Geoffrey Rush, Nicole Kidman, and Cate Blanchett, every new Aussie actor since had leaned on their connections, getting into Hollywood through the Aussie old-boys' network.
Take Heath Ledger, Hugh Jackman, Naomi Watts, Margot Robbie, Abbie Cornish—even "Thor" Chris Hemsworth, who got his Disney gig thanks to "Captain Barbossa" Geoffrey Rush.
Rose Byrne herself had landed a tiny role in Star Wars: Episode II through Cate Blanchett's help, though Cate's pull wasn't strong enough to score her anything bigger.
The "Aussie gang" had shot up in Hollywood over two decades, rivaling the "Brit pack," thanks to their united, steady vibe.
Now, Dunn's influence in Hollywood was growing fast. Sure, Nicole had a decent friendship with him outside their past fling, but in this town, deals often trumped buddies. She wasn't about to let a powerhouse like Dunn slip away.
Dunn frowned. "Come on, Nicole, you're overthinking it! Even without that old tie, I'd still go all out to help Aussie actors break into Hollywood."
Nicole shook her head. "It's just mutual benefit… Right, Rose?"
Rose nodded quickly. "Yeah, that's what I think too."
Dunn sighed. "Nicole, why push it?"
Nicole gave him a weird look, growing more puzzled.
What was up with Dunn today? A beauty handed to him on a platter, and he's hesitating? That's not like him!
Too many women, not enough energy? Bull!
With his macho personality, Nicole knew he'd claim every gorgeous woman in the world if he could—especially a stunner like Rose Byrne.
"Dunn… you're not setting me up, are you?" Nicole narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Dunn's heart skipped. "Set you up? I don't know what you're talking about."
"Hmph! Your face just gave you away!" Nicole huffed, annoyed. "Spill it—what condition are you angling for now?"
Dunn rubbed his hands, grinning sheepishly. "Nicole, since you've already guessed, do I even need to say it?"
Nicole's expression shifted, her lips pursed as a shy hesitation crept in. "A threesome?"
"Could we?" Dunn slid an arm around her waist, voice low. "Just try it?"
Rose caught on too, her pale face flushing like her bold red lips, radiating a sultry charm.
"What do you think?" Nicole took a deep breath, turning to her.
Rose, just 21 and new to Hollywood's wild scene, relied on her Aussie crew for guidance. She had no firm opinion, murmuring weakly, "I… I'll go with you."
Dunn chuckled, pulling her into his other arm.
Left and right, two beauties in his embrace—it felt amazing!
Especially in this semi-public party setting, it was like staking his claim.
Nicole paused, then sighed softly. "Dunn, just this once. One time only."
"What? Seriously?"
Now it was Dunn's turn to be shocked. The sudden bliss threw him off, excitement bubbling over.
Nicole bit her lip. "After tonight, I'm moving out. I'm 33—not young anymore. I need my own life. I can't keep coasting with you like this."
"What about after?" Dunn asked, reluctant to let go.
"We're friends! Isn't Miss Winslet your best pal too?"
Dunn coughed, lowering his voice. "I mean, if I really miss you, could we…"
"We'll figure that out later!" Nicole waved him off, a little exasperated. "You've got plenty of girls anyway—losing me won't make a dent. Besides, I'm handing you Rose to take my place, right?"
"Fair enough!" Dunn agreed fast. "So, tonight—we all head home together?"
"Yeah."
Nicole's face looked a bit off.
Rose was too flustered to even speak.
With two stunning women in his arms, Dunn was over the moon, already buzzing with anticipation for the night ahead. "Oh, Rose, who's your agency?"
"My contract's still with one back in Australia."
"Hm?" Dunn raised a brow. "Since you're with me now, you'll be staying in Hollywood. Come on, I'll introduce you to a friend—time to switch!"
Nicole wriggled out of his hold. "Take her over. Let me know when you're leaving."
Dunn smirked. "Over thirty and still shy, huh?"
With Nicole's big-sister aura gone, Dunn softened up, and Rose relaxed too, pouting playfully. "Says you! Left and right in your arms, but we've still got to head home, right? Everyone's watching—she's a huge star!"
Dunn laughed. "Don't worry, you'll be a big star too someday!"
In her past life, Rose Byrne's career hadn't taken off in Hollywood.
But at just 21, she'd snagged a Venice Best Actress award—proof of her killer talent. With a gorgeous face and figure to match, a tweak to her accent and some PR polish could easily make her a top-tier star.
With Dunn's pull and resources, launching a few stars who never broke out before was a breeze.
Just then, Cate Blanchett strolled over after a quick chat with Nicole, beaming. "Dunn, congrats! Snagged yourself a beauty."
Dunn laughed heartily. "Thanks!"
Cate gave Rose a long look. "By Dunn's side, some things you don't see, some you don't hear—got it?"
Dunn waved a hand. "Cate, you're too paranoid! No need for that. As long as Rose keeps her lips sealed and doesn't spill my private life to the press, we're good. Come on, what's our bond worth if you're saying stuff like that?"
Cate smiled, satisfied. "So where are you whisking her off to? Upstairs for a room?"
"You're a riot!" Dunn chuckled. With paparazzi lurking outside the venue, who'd dare book a hotel room so blatantly?
"Her agency's still in Australia. I'm getting Michael to sign her to AG."
"Michael Ovitz?" Cate paused, surprised.
"Yep, him."
Cate took a deep breath. She'd made her mark in Hollywood and knew what Michael Ovitz represented.
His AG Agency might be small potatoes, but with Legendary Pictures' clout… it was obvious. Co-financed films would prioritize AG talent!
With that powerhouse backing and Dunn Walker's endorsement, Rose Byrne's career was about to hit a whole new level.
"Rose, looks like it's your turn for congrats," Cate said with a knowing tone.
Rose smiled gratefully. "Thanks to you too! Without your help, I wouldn't have gotten to Hollywood—or met Mr. Walker."
"Yeah, you've got some luck!" Cate's words carried a hint of envy.