Page 32 of Catch Me (Townsend Legacy #4)

I vy

“That’s a wrap on Late Nights, ” Michael Keith announces through his bullhorn as he stands at the center of the nearly two-hundred-member cast and crew.

We all erupt into a thunderous applause.

It’s eight o’clock at night and we just wrapped filming of Late Nights.

Needless to say, everyone is exhausted but insanely satiated.

The film isn’t done yet, of course. Michael Keith and the producers will spend the next few weeks editing to put the final film together, but for now, the actors and most of the crews’ jobs are done on this film.

As I look across the circle of people into Andreas’ eyes, my heart is full and heavy. Pride swells inside of my chest for him. I know this film is going to be a breakthrough for him. In this role, he’s obliterated any form of typecasting previous producers have tried to put him in.

The sparkle in his eyes shows that he knows what he’s done, too.

I have to look away because it also reveals he’s probably thinking of things he shouldn’t about me. Not in public anyway.

“Before we call it a night, I wanted to take the time to thank everyone who showed up everyday to give one hundred percent of themselves to this film,” Michael Keith continues.

He begins to thank, one by one, the producers and crew who helped before filming started.

“A very special thanks to Shawn, also known as Andreas Knight.”

More applause erupts, accompanied by some hoots and shouts.

“A few words,” Michael encourages, pulling on Andreas’ arm to come to the center of the circle.

All eyes land on him, and he accepts the attention with grace and an ease that shows this is the life he was born to live. He was made to be in the spotlight.

“First, I’d like to thank Michael for taking a chance on me.”

Michael waves him off, but Andreas continues.

“No, honestly, you had your pick of who to go with for the role of Shawn. The fact that you trusted me with such a pivotal role says a lot. My hope is that I lived up to the faith you placed in me.”

“We all watched that breakdown scene,” Lee, the head lighting guy, yells out. “You surpassed it,” he finishes to more applause.

“Here! Here!” Michael Keith agrees.

Andreas thanks Michael, the producers, and each of the studio departments that worked on this film, along with his fellow actors. He’s followed by a few of the other actors from the film and even more crew.

The energy emitting off of everyone is palpable.

“Is it always like this?” I ask Lillian as we move toward the back of the circle to be able to hear one another. “Is every set this energized at the end of filming?”

“I wish!” she says, laughing. “Some damn sets you’re racing to get the hell away from. Trust me when I say this one is special. Michael Keith definitely chose the right cast for this movie. There’s an insane chemistry between everyone.”

“I’m glad this was my first one then,” I tell her.

Lillian squeezes my arm. “Me too. And you made it through your first movie and floated through your probationary period.”

“Almost,” I remind her. “I still have a couple of more days until it’s officially ninety days.”

She waves me off. “It’s safe to say you’ve made it.”

“I’m surprised Rebecca isn’t here celebrating with the rest of us. She was the lead assistant designer on this set.”

Lillian rolls her eyes. “We’re here. That’s all that matters.”

“Damn straight that’s all that matters.”

We both spin to come face-to-face with Andreas, who’s standing with Ron Stone beside him.

Behind them, the major circle of people has disbanded, but plenty of people still stand around talking and laughing with one another.

“And we’re not done celebrating,” Ron says. There’s a smirk on his lips as he glances over at Andreas. “Turns out the producers chartered a private flight to Vegas. It’s kind of our unofficial, official wrap party.”

My eyebrows raise. “You guys are headed to Vegas?”

I’m happy to hear that they’ll be celebrating their successful completion, but my heart sinks a little. It’s selfish, but ever since that night, two weeks ago, Andreas and I haven’t spent a night apart.

It’s mostly been me sleeping over at his place, though he’s spent a night at my apartment when Mya wasn’t there. I’ve gotten used to sleeping next to him.

“What do you think, Ivy?”

I blink and turn to Lillian , who’s staring at me, waiting for a response.

“Uh, think of what?”

“Vegas,” she replies, excitement in her eyes. “The flight leaves in a few hours. Just enough time to head home and pack a few things if you need. But Michael ordered cars to take us straight to the private airport.”

“Cars? Airport?” I repeat the words while my head continues to spin.

Andreas moves closer to stand directly in front of me. “We’re going to Vegas,” he says with authority.

And as what usually happens when he uses that tone, my nipples harden. Thankfully, the padding of my clothes hides it. But the sparkle in Andreas’ eyes leads me to believe he knows the effect that tone has over me.

“That sounds like a lot of fun,” I say, doing my best to keep the sadness out of my voice. “You all have worked hard and deserve to celebrate. Have fun!”

Andreas’ bright expression drops to a look of confusion. I turn to retrieve my belongings, but his strong hold on my arm stops me.

“Where are you going?” He points over his shoulder, not giving me a chance to answer. “The cars are picking us up here.”

“Us?” I ask.

He nods.

“I’ll see you guys on the plane,” Ron says before excusing himself.

I slowly extricate my arm from Andreas’ hold and glance over at Lillian.

“Oh, would you look at the time.” She peers down at her watchless wrist. “I have to … go,” she says with an awkward laugh before leaving Andreas and I alone.

“You’re coming, right?”

“To Vegas?” My tone should indicate that it’s a completely absurd idea.

Not to Andreas because he simply nods and replies, “Where else would I be talking about?”

I could think of at least ten other places that would make more sense for me to go right now. Number one on the list would be home.

Apparently, I’m the only person in this conversation who thinks that, though.

“I can’t go to Vegas.”

“Why not?”

“I have work in the mor?—”

“Tomorrow’s Saturday.”

I pinch my lips.

“I was going to do some work for Style Box tomorrow,” I lie.

“You can’t do that any other time?”

The sincerity in his voice makes my insides go weak. He knows I didn’t have any plans to work my part-time job tomorrow, which I’ve been working a lot less of lately.

“There’s also Ms. Shelby. I can’t leave her all alone tonight.”

The nights I’ve slept over at Andreas’ he’s always made sure to have his driver pick her up so she could stay there, too. I’m starting to suspect Ms. Shelby likes his place more than mine.

This morning, I had to take her to the vet for a normal check-up, then I dropped her off back home.

“She’s been home almost all day alone.”

“We can get her a pet sitter for the weekend.”

“You know she doesn’t like new people.” I say that, but I’m starting to think it’s a lie. Ms. Shelby has taken well to just about everyone she’s interacted with in the past few months.

“Mya,” Andreas says. “Can’t Mya watch her? This is a special weekend for all of us. You just finished working on your very first major motion film as the assistant designer.”

“Assistant to the assistant,” I correct.

“You basically acted as the main assistant throughout filming. You’ve earned this trip to Vegas just as much as I have.”

I laugh. “I hardly think I’m on the same level as the star of the film.”

Andreas squeezes my hand and holds it up to his chest. I think to tell him that we’re still on set and shouldn’t be this touchy feely in public, but I can’t.

I love that whenever we’re within touching distance he can’t seem to keep his hands off of me. Not in a lewd or overwhelming way, but more so in protective, ‘I’m always here for you’ comforting manner.

“For me, you are,” he replies.

“You just have to say the right thing all of the time, don’t you?”

He smirks. “Do you need my phone?”

“I can use my phone,” I tell him as I pull it out to call Mya.

“Hey, girl,” she answers. “I just got home. What’s up?”

“Well, you remember that today was the last day of filming?”

“Of course.”

“The director has invited a bunch of the cast and crew to Vegas for a wrap party. It was kind of a last-minute thing.”

There’s a pause of silence on the other end.

“You mean that fine ass, acting ass man of yours is insisting that you go to Vegas with him, huh?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying …” I hedge.

“Can she watch her?” Andreas asks, moving in front of me. “If not, I have a pet sitter on speed dial.”

Mya immediately starts cracking up. “So that’s not him, all in your face right now?”

I can’t hide my grin. “The problem is Ms. Shelby,” I finally admit, honestly. “There’s no one to watch her.”

“Uh, huh. So because my man is gone for the weekend, you want me to be the stand in cat lady, huh? I see how it is, Vee.”

“No, I?—”

“You know I’m just messing with you.” She laughs.

“Besides, I should get used to taking care of this cat. Since you’ll probably have to give her to me once you start popping out babies and shit.”

“What?” I shriek.

“What’d she say?” Andreas asks, looking concerned.

I turn my back to him.

“Mya, are you crazy?”

“Try that mess with someone else. Any man that goes out of his way to have you picked up everyday to and from work just because you don’t like driving in heavy traffic, and assembles a whole pet playpen at his six-thousand square foot apartment for your cat to sleep, is serious about you. He’s in it for the long haul.

“So, I know he’s already thinking about babies and shit. And you’ve always wanted at least two kids. He’ll probably talk you into three or four.”

“Mya!” I whisper hiss.

“Okay, okay, I’ll leave you alone,” she says while cackling. “Enjoy your trip to Vegas. I would ask if you have clothes packed, but I bet he plans on keeping you naked the entire time you’re there.”

“I’m going to fight you the next time I see you,” I manage to say between laughter.

“Anyway,” I say once I pull it together, “Ms. Shelby needs to be fed?—”

“I know, I know. Twice a day. Her dry food in the morning and wet food in the evening. No treats after dinner and refill her water every morning. I know how to take care of a cat.

“You just worry about not coming home with my niece or nephew in your belly. I will not become an aunt before I’m married. Once Jason and I say ‘I do’ you’re free to have all of his pretty babies you want.”

I groan into the phone because I know if I yell at her she’ll just keep going.

“Bye, Mya. And thank you.”

“Love you,” she replies before hanging up.

“Yeah, love you, too,” I mumble, staring at the phone.

“She’s in?” Andreas asks, startling me.

“Were you standing there the whole time?”

He frowns. “Where else would I have gone?”

I don’t bother answering. Worry washes over me as I consider how much of the conversation he heard.

I wonder if the talk of babies frightened him.

But if he heard, Andreas doesn’t give me any indication as he takes my hands into his and brings them to his lips.

“Let’s go to Vegas.”