Page 32 of Behind the Scenes

“Yours usually don’t.”

This almost got a smile out of her.Almost.

“Three days,” she countered. “That’s the best I can do.”

Three days wasn’t that bad.That meant at least twice a week. And, more importantly, it didn’t mean I was forbidden to see her on the other days, just that it was mandatory to meet on the third.

“You got it, darling.”

I grabbed a pen and made the requested changes, then signed the last page.

”That’s it?” she asked. “You’re not going to push the six months?”

“I think you’ll find that after six months, you won’t want to get rid of me.”

Laura rolled her eyes at me and scanned the contract once more.

She was hesitating, so I stood, giving her a smile.

“I am needed on set for about another hour or two. How about I find you a good seat so you can watch and think it over?”

She let out a snort.

“You think your wonderful acting skills will persuade me?”

“Maybe. Or…” I leaned forward and gently placed a lock of her hair behind her ear. I was pleased when she didn’t pull back or flinch. “Maybe I’m more generous than you think and am giving you the time you need while still indulging in my need to see your beautiful face.”

The redness that started creeping in at the top of her ears had my heart racing.

“Fine,” she grumbled as she cleared her throat. “But I’ll be on a plane back to New York before the sun rises.”

I nodded and pulled away.

The only way you’re getting away from me now is if you don’t sign.

laura

. . .

Ihad never been on a movie set before. In all truth, it was a bit lackluster.

It was mostly people just standing around, watching the actors on set. Cameras and lights were hung all over, illuminating the dark warehouse we were in.

I got a seat behind the crowd, but it was close enough to see and hear Harley. I recognized her co-star. She was famous, maybe even more so than Harley.

“Harley wanted me to warn you this will be a pretty heavy makeout scene,” Penelope said from my side, her sudden appearance making me jump.

She was holding a hot coffee and a tea, and she gave me the option to pick.

I grabbed the coffee with a forced smile.

“And I’m supposed to care, why?” I asked.

She chuckled and shook her head.

“Cause Harley really… gets into it,” she said. “Believe it or not, she’s actually good at her job. She’s getting popular because of the chemistry she has with the other actors. Doesn’t matter who it is or what the script says, she always seems to knock it out of the park.”

My eyes trailed back to the couple. The directorwas talking to them, and while her co-star looked attentive, Harley seemed far away. If I didn’t notice the slight bob of her head, I would have thought she wasn’t listening at all.