Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
A small laugh escaped me, and he sat up straighter. “Come closer,” he demanded.
“I have to go. I have things to do.”
He frowned, beginning to rise from the chair. “I said, come here.”
I turned and ran. Dodging through equipment, people, and moving fast. I heard his bellowed, “Shortcake!” but I ignored it.
He recognized my laugh. He wasn’t sure from where, but he knew it. And it was only a matter of time before he knew for certain I was the same woman he had kissed in the pool last night.
And I wasn’t sure what he would do when he figured it out.
Luckily, Andi was waiting for me, and we left the set. I spent the afternoon wandering some stores while Andi was busy. I bought gifts for my mom and Cami, as well as my other aunts. My driver waited outside each store, taking my few bags and stowing them in the trunk. It was warm, the sun bright, and on impulse, I bought a pretty, floppy hat—the brim wide enough to shade my face and shoulders. I paused outside a store, staring at a dress that caught my eye. It was incredible. The softest shade of yellow, it flowed and swirled in the gentle breeze of the fan that blew on the mannequin. The bodice was a halter, with beading that caught the light and glittered. The skirt was full and jagged, layers of material ranging from the pale, creamy yellow to a brilliant orange at the very last layer, with some sort of glittering fabric hidden within the tiers. It reminded me of a beautiful sunrise.
I was tempted. I peeked in the store, looking around nervously. I pushed open the door and stepped inside, the cool air welcome. An older, skillfully made-up woman approached me.
“The dress in the window?” She smiled. “I saw you admiring it.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Would you like to try it on?” She studied me for a moment. “The color would look striking on you.”
I took in a deep breath. “Please.”
The next morning, Andi came into my room, coffee in hand, talking on her phone. I had spent the night writing, hiding in my room, refusing to look at the pool. Not giving in to the temptation of going to see if he was there. It was a dangerous game I was playing. I had barely slept, and I felt tired and emotional.
Andi hung up and frowned at me. “Kiddo, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You are as white as a sheet. Have you slept at all? You pulled another all-nighter?”
“I’m fine. I was writing, and time got away from me.” I shrugged, brushing off her concern. “I’ll sleep later. Give me five minutes. I need to finish getting dressed.”
She muttered something about my dad, and I shook my head. “He is used to seeing me sleep-deprived, Andi. It wouldn’t worry him—well…it wouldn’t surprise him. He knows what happens when I get on a roll.”
I headed to my room and got dressed. I chose a simple skirt and lacy blouse, needing to feel feminine and in control. I left my hair down, brushing it until it shone a burnished gold. The soft rust color of the blouse suited me, and the kick pleat on the taupe skirt made it different. I slipped on low heels and even added a swipe of gloss and mascara. I looked polished and professional.
Andi agreed, nodding her approval. “Cami needs to dress you all the time.”
I laughed. “This would not be comfortable writing attire.”
“But perfect for meeting the cast.” She looked past me. “What’s in the garment bag?”
“Oh.” I grinned with a sheepish shrug. “An impulse buy. I’ll never wear it, but I had to have it.”
“May I?” She indicated the bag.
“Of course.”
She pulled down the zipper and lifted out the soft yellow dress. In the sunlight, the hidden glitter sparkled, the layers of colors on the skirt breathtaking. “Kiddo, this is spectacular.”
“I couldn’t resist it. I was only going to try it on, but it fit as if it was made for me. I loved it and decided to splurge. Maybe I’ll wear it to Sammy’s wedding.”
“Sammy’s getting married?” she asked, surprised. “When did this happen?”
“No. Well, she says no. But I have a feeling this Luke is going to give her a run for her money. He sounds like exactly what she needs.”
“Wherever you wear this, you’ll be the star. It’s beautiful. Maybe even while you’re here.”
“I doubt that. I have no plans for a big night out. But one day.” I zipped the dress back into the bag. “It was indulgent, but I couldn’t resist.”
“You deserve to indulge.” She patted my arm. “You ready to go in and meet everyone officially?”
I sucked in a deep breath. “Yes.”
“Then let’s go.”
It was warm and bright, and I wore my sunglasses and floppy hat. Andi teased me about looking like a movie star, and I ignored her, knowing she was trying to make me smile. I found the sun here hot, and I was feeling a little out of sorts today, not that I would admit that to Andi. I had waited too long to buy the hat, and the sun always had an effect on me—as if it drained me, leaving me light-headed and tired. I’d made sure to eat this morning, and I drank a lot of water last night and today. I was certain by this afternoon I would feel better. Once this meeting was over and I could get down to the reason I came here—talking to the cast about their roles and answering any questions. If I was honest with myself, coming face-to-face with Nicholas was what was making me the most nervous. Would he recognize me as either the gofer he liked to order around or the woman he kissed in the pool? Every encounter, we’d been in the shadows. I introduced myself as Mila in the pool, but no last name. I used Reed’s nickname for me as the gofer. It seemed harmless, but now I wondered. Unless luck was on my side and he never gave either woman another thought or connected us as the same person.