Page 58 of Vain

I hang up and head to Matilda’s trailer so I can charge her phone. I plug it in and head back out, not wanting to leave Tilly alone. She’s busy and surrounded by people, but that didn’t stop her from getting attacked before. I’m ever conscious that it happened in this studio. The fact that Tilly’s even able to come back here at all shows how strong she is. If I weren’t paying so much attention to her, I wouldn’t have noticed how she taps her left leg three times when she seems anxious.

As much as I’ve wanted to do nothing more than pull her into my arms throughout the day, I know that’s not what she wants right now. I think she’s worried I’ll become a crutch, but only because she doesn’t give herself nearly enough credit. Not that I’d care. I’d be whatever she needed me to be. I’ve never understood guys who complain about having a clingy girlfriend. I’d love nothing more than to have her wrapped around me like a goddamn vine. I hate it when she’s away from me, and I say that like the possessive asshole I am. If I can’t handle not being close to her when she’s in touching distance, what am I gonna be like when either of us has to do other jobs that take us across the country from each other?

The sound of a buzzer has me looking up. Tilly walks toward me, looking tired but happy. She doesn’t hang back, even though she’s effectively the boss. She steps right up to me and wraps her arms around my chest.

“Is it weird that I missed you today when you’ve been with me the whole time?” she asks.

I chuckle. “It’s scary sometimes how similar we think. I’ve missed you, but I love watching you in your element.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah.” I slide my hands around the small of her back, reminding myself at the last minute where we are so I don’t grab her ass.

I kiss her, and it’s not the kind of kiss you do in a room full of people watching. Do I give a fuck? Not even a little bit.

I pull back and press my lips to her forehead. “Want to come grab something to eat with me?”

“Yeah, I’m starving. Was Zoe okay when you guys hung up?”

“She’s good. She said to say bye to you. I also think she has a crush on that Jack guy, but I’m pretending I didn’t notice.”

She laughs as she links her arm through mine and drags me to craft food services. “He’s cute. I can see why she likes him.” I freeze, turning to look at her sternly, which just makes her laugh harder. “He’s not my type. I’m just saying I get why Zoe likes him.”

“Oh yeah, and what is your type?”

“Hmm…well, I like them tall, sexy, protective, kind. A good smile is nice, dark eyes and hair would be a bonus too, and he has to have a big?—”

I cover her mouth with my hand.

“Woman, do not finish that sentence unless you want me to drag you into your trailer and fuck the shit out of you,” I growl in her ear before moving my hand.

She smiles. “I was going to say, big heart.”

I shake my head and wrap my arm around her shoulder, tugging her to where the food is. “I swear you’ll be the death of me.”

We grab bowls of pasta, fruit cups, and a couple of bottles of water before heading to the trailer to eat. I open the door for her and wait for her to pass before following her in. We sit at the small table and dig in.

“It’s not as good as Marley’s, but it’s still good.”

“I think most things taste good when you’re hungry enough.”

I grin and waggle my brows. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Pervert.”

“Only for you.”

We keep eating, knowing we only have limited time before she gets back to it.

“So this is what life will look like for a little while, huh? Movie sets and trailer dinners.”

She bites her lip and looks up at me. “Sorry. It’s not as glamorous making a movie as it is starring in one, I guess.”

“Shit, that wasn’t a complaint. I’m happy as long as I’m with you. I was trying to get an idea of what to expect in the next few weeks.”

She sighs. “I didn’t mean to sound defensive. Habit, I guess. Umm… we’ll likely be filming here for the next month before moving to the other locations. I won’t lie…because of the small budget, I need to get this film done quicker than most bigger-budget films. This will mean long days and, in some cases, nights.”

“Like I said, as long as I’m with you, I don’t care. You do what you’ve gotta do. I love watching you work.”