Page 17 of The Playboy
“All right, Tait. I’m done. I’ll send Betty over to do your hair.”
I smile warmly at her. “Thanks, Karen.”
She walks out, leaving the two of us in the trailer alone. I keep my eyes glued to her from the mirror. She looks like she wants to say something. She looks at me and then looks at the floor. I’m not sure I’m ready to know what she’s thinking, so I enjoy eating my breakfast in silence. Betty comes in a few minutes later and greets both of us. She gets to work on my hair, and within five minutes, she’s done.
“You look great, handsome. Let’s get you into your costume and on set.”
I get out of the seat, and Sam stands with me. “Can you hand me the grey suit on the end?” She takes it off the rack and hands it to me. “Thanks.” I pull my shirt over my head and start stripping in front of her.
“You could give a girl some warning so I can leave.”
“Why? You’ll be seeing it soon enough. I want to give you a small preview of what you missed last night.”
“Whatever happened to ‘let’s just work together and see what happens’?” she mutters.
“Itwillhappen. There’s no doubt of that. It’s just a matter of when you decide you’re comfortable enough to have meandstill work with me. I’m confident and know what I want. I usually get my way.”
She looks me dead in the eyes. “What’s so special about me?”
My head tilts to the side a fraction as I think about her question. The only response I can come up with is, “I’m not sure yet.”
“Wow, what a way to a woman’s heart.”
There’s a knock on the door, and I know they are ready for me.
“I’ll be out in a minute.” I buckle my belt and look in the mirror. “How do I look?”
She walks over toward me and smooths out a few wrinkles. “Like a million bucks.”
“Exactly what I was going for.” I flash her a cocky smile.
* * *
The morningand afternoon go by quickly as we move from one scene to another. We are all on our A-game today.
Every time I look at Sam, she’s smiling wide while talking to the crew. She’s definitely in her element. You know when you get hit with a million-dollar idea? All the pieces seem to slide into place in your head. Well, right now, I just solved the world’s toughest puzzle.
I know how I can get her to accept my proposal of friends with benefits. I can help hook her up with some people in the business to jump-start her career.It’s brilliant! I start running through scenarios in my head when she approaches me.
“Your phone was going off. It looks like you have a text message.”
She hands the phone to me and I accept it, opening the text.
Quinn:There is a reason why you have a right hand. Get yourself off. I’m not helping you with that.
I toss my head back and laugh. It’s just like Quinn, always thinking the worst of me. I have too much fun teasing her, though, and refuse to stop.
Me:Perv! Not that. Although, if you were to offer… I wouldn’t turn you down. ;) Just get here already, and I’m serious about Caleb. He’s been pissy since filming started. The director keeps telling him he’s doing great of not breaking character, but I think it’s because he has too much pent up energy.
I figure she won’t respond and hand my phone back to Sam. She sticks it in her small bag and steps back to her spot next to the other PAs.
“All right, Tait, so that last scene was good, but we’re going to try something different now. I want you to look at Elena like she’s the love of your life and then backhand her,” Joe Daley, the director explains. “I want the viewer to see the emotional turmoil come out.”
“All right. I’m ready.”
We both get into our places again and take the scene from the top. After acing it, we get ready to move on. Sam hands me a bottle of water, and I nod my thanks. Caleb comes barreling around a corner, yanking his tie off as he speeds past us.
“I don’t give a damn. I have to get out of here,” he calls back toward one of the producers.