“Perfect. Your expression was priceless.”
She arched a brow. “So, I was right to do it and not my double?”
“Don’t misunderstand. I knew it would be better with you, but I’m paid to worry about our star. Which is why I’m concerned about what you got tangled in.”
“Then, I’ll let you off the hook.” She gave his arm a squeeze. “We’re done for today, right?”
“Yeah, we killed you off. Your character never surfaces. We may need to do some re-shoots for other scenes but not today. We’ll start on them tomorrow. You have the schedule already.”
“Right.”
She headed toward her trailer. Once she got there, she refused to check her phone to see if Finn called her. He wassupposed to be back from the conference today. Instead, she showered and dressed in street clothes.
Then she picked up the phone and buzzed her driver. “I’m ready to go home, Jimmy.”
“I’m down the road. I watched the scene today where you jumped. You were perfect, Ms. Preston.”
“Thank you. See you in a few.” She checked her messages and there was nothing from Finn.
Elise lost her willpower halfway home. “Jimmy, can you take me to Finn’s house on the canal?” Even though he hadn’t called her, she told herself she had every right to go to his house, after they’d made love before he left.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She chided herself all the way there. It was only six p.m. so she couldn’t see if lights were on inside his house. His car would be in his garage. She got out of the limo and headed down the path when she heard laughter coming from the back. She headed there.
And found Finn leaning against the railing laughing. His hair was beautifully windblown and that cute lock fell into his forehead. A woman stood between his legs, which were apart, and he held her by the hips.
Elise gasped.
Finn’s head snapped to the side. He set the woman back from him and crossed to her. “Elise, what are you doing here?”
“What areyoudoing?”
“Me? I’m entertaining a woman.” But his face had reddened. He knew this was bad.
“You’re on a date? After what happened between us before you left for the conference?”
“Yes. I--”
She slapped his face, said, “You son of a bitch,” and strode away. She stumbled a couple of times before she reached theroad and threw herself into the car. “I’m ready to go home, Jimmy.”
“Are you all right?”
“I was…I wasn’t welcome here.”
“I’m sorry.”
She said hoarsely, “Yeah, me too.”
* * *
Because she’d been up so late the night before, Scarlet had little energy when she arrived at the collective the next morning. But it was her turn to run the bimonthly group meeting so she parked next to a truck displayingHampton Constructionon the side. Grabbing her package, she headed into her studio, then out the door to the break room area. She wasn’t surprised to hear commotion on the other side.
She took in the group members who were already seated. “Hey, everybody.”
They greeted her.
She held up a box. “I brought a cake for Finn.” She placed it on the counter adjacent to the table then joined them.
