Page 39 of Take Two

‘Why?’ she asked, louder than she meant to.

‘We’ll just have to say Sam was detained and you decided to discuss with Mae what he might like?’

Callie had to stop herself from retching at the idea of her and Mae planning how to please Sam Grey.

‘Anyway, we’ll figure it out as we go. But this wasn’t a cheap shoot, so I’m getting something.’

‘Sure,’ Callie said, trying to be agreeable.

She was careful not to be the difficult reality star. The thought made her sick.

‘Mae, sweetheart,’ Neil called through. ‘Can we bother you for a few more minutes?’

Mae opened the door with obvious reluctance. ‘You’ve been bothering me for days. But go on.’

There was laughter. The crew liked her. Of course they did. She was funny without trying, utterly lacking in artifice.

God, Callie missed that.

‘Sam’s been delayed by… Well, that doesn’t matter. We’re going to get some stuff without him while there’s still time on the docket. OK?’

‘You’re the boss,’ Mae said dryly.

‘We’re just going to get a bit of you two talking about preparation,’ Neil said. ‘Callie, you can ask what you and Samwill be making when she gets here, that sort of thing. Mae, you can, err, tease her about her skills? Keep it light.’

Callie heard an incredulous breath leave Mae’s nose.

‘All right?’ Callie asked Mae softly, once the crew had retreated a few paces.

Mae flicked a glance at her. The shutters were firmly in place. ‘Whatever,’ she said.

One word. Enough to make Callie’s stomach knot.

‘I know this is… a lot.’

‘Do you?’ Mae said.

Callie opened her mouth, closed it again. In another life, she would have reached across the bench, touched Mae’s wrist, made some joke. She didn’t dare now. Mae would snatch her arm back.

‘We’ll keep it quick,’ Callie said instead.

They rolled. Callie did as instructed, asking about the recipe.

‘We’ll start simple,’ Mae said. ‘Scones, maybe. Doesn’t matter if they’re a bit… off.’

Callie frowned. ‘Why would they be off?’

‘Because you can’t bake,’ Mae said plainly.

Callie was truly shocked. ‘Oh,can’tI?’

Mae shrugged. ‘No, you’re rubbish.’

Callie was genuinely aghast. ‘Excuseme, but I helped your dad a few times.’

‘Sure. Youhelped,’ Mae scoffed.

Callie’s mouth was open. ‘What does that mean?’