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“It’s such a trip.” Before she’d been approached for this movie, Justine hadn’t thought about that time in her life for decades. Even though she had to dig into her own emotions and experiences when relating to the shelter residents, she had found ways to do that so that her personal experience felt like a strength instead of a weakness. This movie messed with that big time. No wonder she kept turning up at Sienna’s door, because Sienna was extremely skilled at taking Justine’s mind off things.

“I think you should visit the set again,” Rochelle said. “I know you don’t want to and that every cell in your body is screaming no-no-no, but sometimes you have to do the thing you feel like doing the least in order to heal. I genuinely think it will help you mend some of the wounds from your past.”

Justine shook her head. “I think me simply finding the courage to watch the finished product once, alone in the privacy of my own home, is more than enough.”

“That, too.” Rochelle shot her a warm smile. “We’ll watch it together, okay? But…” She pursed her lips. “Being on that set is special. Seeing that movie being made is such a privilege. To feel that energy and see all these people working together toward the goal of telling your story. To be around Alexis and Sienna. It’s magical and most certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

“You don’t think there’ll be a sequel? Sienna told me sequels are all the rage these days.”

“How about I pick you up tomorrow?” Rochelle said, ignoring Justine’s banter. “We’ll go together.”

“Which scenes are they shooting tomorrow?” After what Rochelle had just said, Justine might consider it—if only to surprise Sienna.

“I have no idea,” Rochelle said. “Let’s just take a chance.”

“Okay,” Justine acquiesced easily, because she trusted Rochelle and, perhaps, some of the things she’d said held more than an ounce of truth.

Chapter22

“So,” Mimi said. “You and Justine, huh?”

More than a week had passed since Sienna had told Alexis—and word had spread. Now it had obviously reached the director ofGimme Shelteras well. “To be honest, I did not see that coming.” Mimi arched up her perfectly sculpted eyebrows.

“I hope you don’t think it has affected my performance,” Sienna said, even though she’d been sleeping with Justine since before the shoot had started—but she’d only really acknowledged her feelings for Justine very recently.

“Of course not.” Mimi smiled and shook her head. “I would like to invite you and Alexis to dinner at my house this weekend,” she said. “You can bring a plus-one, of course.”

“You mean Justine?” Sienna grinned.

“I’d love to see you just… be together.”

“Is Alexis bringing anyone?”

Mimi shook her head. “No, but don’t let that stop you from bringing Justine.”

“Is Nora going to be there?” Sienna asked.

“Yes, and she’d love it if Justine came along.” Mimi winked at her. “Also, if you’re keen to see a long-term age gap relationship in action, dinner with Nora and me will be an excellent opportunity.” She followed up with a chuckle.

“Nora is very supportive of you.” That was easy enough to see. Nora Levine turned up to the set all the time, although never for very long, and always making sure—somehow—that she wasn’t the center of attention, unlike when Sienna’s dad had visited.

“If it weren’t for Nora, this movie would not be happening. You should ask her all about it over dinner on Saturday evening.”

“I’m in.” During a shoot, Sienna liked to keep her social calendar as empty as possible, in order to keep focus but also to facilitate impromptu get-togethers with the cast and crew of the movie she was working on. “I’ll let you know about Justine soon.”

“Let you know what about Justine?” Was that Justine’s voice or Alexis in character—she had a real knack for mimicking Justine’s voice.

“Speak of the devil.” Mimi turned to Justine. “What a lovely surprise.”

“You say that now.” Justine kissed Mimi on the cheek while Sienna’s stomach turned silly somersaults in her belly.

“Hey, you.” She locked her gaze on Sienna’s and shot her a warm smile, which didn’t help with the flip-flops in Sienna’s belly.

“I was just inviting Sienna to dinner at my house on Saturday. Nora and I would love it if you could join,” Mimi said. “Alexis is coming as well.”

“Oh.” Justine narrowed her eyes. “I need to check my calendar, but I’ll let you know.”

The first assistant director walked toward them, calling for Mimi.