Page 6

CHAPTER

SIX

ANNALISE

I finish massaging the lotion into my skin and inhale. Pineapple melon. I happened upon this lotion a couple of years ago, and it’s my favorite. It’s sweet, fresh, and fruity. So much better than the Eau de Gasoline that Simon got all over me earlier. None of our scenes were supposed to be intimate. We reshot the hallway scene from yesterday where he leaned in toward me, and I swear that moment of closeness drenched me in his vile scent. He wears enough harsh cologne to set off a migraine in someone a mile away.

My favorite part of the day is returning to my trailer and showering off all remnants of Simon. I don’t know what it is about the guy, but I can’t stand him. To his credit, he stayed on script today for the most part, but he was still insufferable. Everything about him rubs me the wrong way.

Initially, I think the director saw more of a sexual tension between Simon’s and my characters because, of course , a woman isn’t going to rise to the top of an empire without crushing all over the prick in the office. But after a week of shooting and the palpable friction between my costar and me—some rewrites were made. The changes were for the better as a romance wasn’t part of my character’s history to begin with.

Miranda is always concerned about my reputation in this industry, and I suppose I give her reason to worry. There have always been negative whispers surrounding me. I can admit that I’m not always the easiest to work with. I’m not in this industry for fame or money. As the daughter of legendary actors, I have plenty of both. I’m an actor because I love the craft. I was raised on movie sets. I was friends with the camera operators and set decorators instead of hanging out with kids my age, having sleepovers, and going to the mall. I followed the lighting technician around, asking a million questions. The entire movie-making process fascinated me and still does. So when something doesn’t sit right, I speak up because I want the projects I work on to be incredible.

If I’m being honest, I’m exhausted. I’m tired of challenging everyone and trying to convince them of my abilities. At twenty-six, I feel like I’ve been in this industry for decades and have yet to showcase my true capabilities. No matter how hard I work, I’m still just a pretty face. I know I shouldn’t complain. So many aspiring actors would kill for my life and be thrilled just to get a role in anything, let alone a major motion picture. I should be grateful for what I have. I simply can’t stifle the feeling in my heart that yearns for more.

A familiar rhythmic knock sounds at my trailer door before Miranda enters. She hops up the steps into my trailer, full of her usual sunshine.

“That’s what you’re wearing?” She grimaces.

My mouth falls open, and I look down at my designer boots, baggy ’90s jeans, and oversized baby-blue sweater. I was going for understated and comfortable. I have no idea where hockey players hang out, so I decided to play it safe with my outfit.

She grabs my hand and squeezes, a wide smile across her face. “I’m kidding.” She chuckles. “You look amazing, as always.”

I furrow my brows and hold her stare in mine. “That’s not cool, Mir. You know I’m not pleased about this evening as it is. I must’ve tried on twenty outfit combinations before settling on this.”

“Yeah, I know.” She smiles and releases my hand before gesturing toward the mountain of clothes piled on my bed. “The guy is obviously smitten. You could pull a garbage bag over your head and wear it as a dress, and I’m sure he’d still be fascinated by you. That”—she once again points at the obscene pile of clothes—“is excessive. Don’t you think?”

“No,” I huff, crossing my arms. “I don’t think it’s excessive, and you know what? This whole night is your fault, so you can put all that crap away.”

“Gladly. If that’s the price I must pay to get you out of this trailer, I’m happy to do so.” She bops me on my nose with her index finger. “Because I love you.”

“If you loved me, you would’ve politely declined when that lady called you.”

Miranda shrugs. “She made it sound like you and Mr. Hockey had already made plans and just needed to iron out a few details.”

“I told you that no plans were made. Plus, he’s not my type.” I toss my hands up. “Not that it matters because I’m not interested in dating anyone right now. You know that.”

“Listen, Anna. I know you…sometimes better than I think you know yourself. As your publicist, it is my professional opinion that a night out will do you good.”

I turn to the mirror and fuss with a few errant waves in my hair. “I think we need to review the parameters of your job. There might be some confusion as to your role.”

“Fine by me.” She retrieves my favorite lip gloss from my purse and hands it to me. “Because this falls under my best friend duties, anyway.”

“I don’t even know what we’re doing,” I grumble.

“Well, you’re dressed for a perfect autumn evening in Michigan, so you can’t go wrong.”

I place my lip gloss back in my purse, then check the time before tossing my phone inside as well. “I’m only doing this because I think a night away from all this and my stress over Simon will do me good, like you said. This isn’t going to be a love match, Mir. I hope you know that.”

“Of course.” She supplies a wink before exiting the trailer.

With one more backward glance into the mirror, I follow her out. We’re silent as we make our way through the studio and to the front parking lot. Miranda opens the studio door and motions me outside.

I can’t help but smile. “I said I would go. You don’t have to escort me the entire way.”

“I’m curious. You know I have to get a peek at this guy. I’m not following you because I think you’re going to bolt.”

We step outside at seven o’clock just as a fancy navy blue sports car pulls into the lot. “Well, at least he’s punctual,” I say.

“He’s taking one of the most amazing women in the world out on a date. He damn well better be punctual,” Miranda states.

The car stops a few feet in front of the door, and Jaden steps out. He sports a smile so big, it’s contagious, and I find myself grinning back as he closes the distance between us.

“Ladies.” He nods.

“Hi, I’m Miranda.” She extends her hand, and he shakes it. “The publicist and best friend.”

“Nice to meet you. So you’re the one who ironed out the details with Ms. Dreven? Thank you.”

“No problem,” Miranda beams, clearly pleased with herself.

Jaden wears a pair of tennis shoes, jeans, and a thin black sweater, reassuring me that I chose the correct outfit. “You ready?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah.”

He extends an arm, motioning me forward and rests his hand on the small of my back as he leads me to the passenger side of the car. He opens the car door.

Miranda shouts, “Don’t stay out too late, kids.”

I shoot her a mock glare as I sink into the car’s supple leather seats. Jaden closes my door and makes his way around the vehicle before taking his place behind the wheel.

He heads out of the parking lot toward the main street. “Where are we headed?” I ask.

His thumb taps the steering wheel, and I find myself oddly fascinated with his hands. “Well, seeing that you’re a Cali girl, I thought you should have the perfect fall experience. In my opinion, autumn is Michigan’s superpower. There’s not much better than it. Not only does it bring the start of the hockey season but it also has some other great perks, which I’m going to show you tonight.”

“The leaves are beautiful.” I look out the window, wishing the sun hadn’t already set. It would be nice to see all the colorful foliage.

“They are.”

“We’re not doing anything pertaining to hockey, right?” I ask.

He quirks a brow. “Not a fan?”

“Not really. I’ve never seen a game.”

“You’ve never seen a game?”

“Nope.”

“So you really have no idea who I am.”

“Zero idea.”

He chuckles. “Well, I’m kind of a big deal.”

“Oh, I’m sure you are.” My words drip in sarcasm.

“In some circles.” He shrugs. “I did help our team win the Stanley Cup this past June, and while you probably don’t know what that is—it’s huge, like the Oscars of hockey.”

“That’s cool.”

He laughs again. “You don’t want to be here, do you?”

“Not really, no.”

“Well, I hope I’ll have changed your mind by the end of the night.”

“I guess we’ll see.”