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“Bettina,” Theodosia said, “you’re still here.” Bettina was supposed to be doing an internship, but Delaine had convinced her to stay on. Probably for the cheap labor.
“Yup, I’m here,” Bettina said. “Me and Janine were the idiots who helped pull all this together.” Janine was Delaine’s overworked assistant.
“I figured you’d be back in New York, working as a buyer for some fabulous boutique.”
Bettina gave a rueful smile. “You know how Delaine is. Once she gets her hooks in you, watch out. She even got her aunt Glorene to pitch in.” She turned, saw Delaine heading in their direction, and said, “Oops.”
“Theo!” Delaine’s hiss was like that of an angry cat. “What are you doing?”
Theodosia pulled her hand back from the rack of clothes as if she’d touched a hot iron. “Um... shopping?”
“You’re supposed to be looking at the new merchandise. And Bettina, we need a little more help at the front door,” Delaine said. “Welcoming the guests, showing our appreciation.”
“I’m on it,” Bettina said.
“And for heaven’s sake, don’t let Aunt Glorene gobble up all the crab puffs.” Delaine paused in her diatribe and studied Theodosia from across the top of her flute of champagne. A knowing smile spread slowly across her face. “I wasn’t going to tell anyone, but I have major news.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “And I’m so excited I can barely hold it in anymore.”
“Okay.” Theodosia knew that Delaine’s big news could be about anything at all—from purchasing a new toaster to getting ready to elope with a new boyfriend.
“It isn’t public knowledge yet, but I’ve been elected to the Charleston Film Board.”
“Congratulations,” Theodosia said. She knew that being a board member was exactly the kind of high-profile position Delaine craved. And the more flamboyant the organization, the more it massaged her ego.
“Not only that, I’ve already attended my first meeting. Turns out the Film Board is offering financial incentives to production companies who film their movies here in Charleston. And there are already two or three on the hook.”
“That’s great,” Theodosia said, suddenly noticing that Jeremy Slade had just walked in. With a young, stylish-looking woman clinging to his arm.
“One of the movies is a supernatural thriller called Dark Fortune,” Delaine said. “There’s a good chance they’ll film it at the Brittlebank Manor.”
Theodosia was taken aback. “That old place? It’s been deserted for years and is practically falling down.”
Delaine dimpled. “Which is exactly why they love it. This particular film company, a group called Peregrine Pictures, has already scouted it as a location. And because the old mansion is such a monstrosity, the producer thinks it might be spot-on perfect. And Theo...” Delaine grabbed Theodosia’s arm again and dug in her red enameled nails. “There might even be a role for you.”
That caught Theodosia’s attention. But not in a good way. “A role? Not on your life,” she said. “I’m no kind of actor and I have zero interest in auditioning for something that’s completely out of my wheelhouse.”
“Come on, silly,” Delaine prodded. “I didn’t mean acting, I meant catering. You know what a craft services table is, don’t you?”
Theodosia didn’t really, but she took a guess. “Something to do with food?”
“Good girl. That’s it exactly. A craft services table is a well-stocked smorgasbord of food that’s maintained for the cast and crew. So they can nibble all day to their hearts’ content.”
“So we’re talking appetizers?”
“More like crackers and cheese, muffins, scones, cookies, that type of thing.”
“Gotcha.”
“So do you have any interest?”
Theodosia was keeping one eye on Jeremy Slade and his date as they stepped toward a showy display of evening gowns. “If the shoot fits into my schedule, why not?”
“Excellent. I’ll take that as a yes,” Delaine said. Then she turned, frowned, and said, “Oh bother.”
“What now?”
“Aunt Glorene is having another glass of champagne.”
Theodosia grinned. “And how many have you had?”
