A beat passes. The tent feels smaller. The hum of the distant wrap party starting up barely registers.
“I got to see so much of your world,” I say, forcing myself to sound normal. “I’m looking forward to coming to some of your fencing matches.”
“You want to come?” he asks, like he doesn’t quite believe it.
“If you want me there.”
“Of course.”
I swallow. “Okay, well, here you go,” I say, pushing the wooden prop into his hands.
He takes it, eyebrows waggling. “Me?”
“I don’t want to be the one to get caught.”
A slow grin tugs at his lips as he tucks the dagger into his jacket. “This makes us partners in crime.”
“Alright, partner. We should get to the wrap party,” I manage, though I don’t move. “Before someone comes.”
His gaze lingers before he leans down to kiss me. We’ve spent every night for the past five weeks together, and I don’t know how I’m going to go back to sleeping without him.
When he breaks the kiss, he says, “Now we can go. Before Mari comes and yells at us for stealing.”
“TheDante Hastings, scared?”
“Around you? Terrified.”
As we leave the tent, my lips still tingling, I know I’ll be replaying this moment long after the night is over.
Everything I thought I wanted before this movie is still true—I want it to be successful. I want people to focus on my acting, to see me as more than a pretty face. I want to break out of the box they’ve shoved me into for years.
But the one thing I never predicted?
Falling for him.
And now, I don’t know how to want anything else.
Breaking through the tree line, we’re greeted by a massive bonfire that lights up the night sky. The lake stretches out beyond, its surface glittering with reflected flames and moonlight.
“Hey, it’s our favorite duo!” Marcus calls out, rushing over to hug me. “That final fight sequence is going to look incredible thanks to you two.”
The crew swarms around us, creating a comforting bubble of celebration. Tom from lighting reminisces about our early morning shoots, while Nina from props proudly recalls how we mastered her weapons.
When Dante’s arm brushes against mine, his warmth seeps through my leather costume, and I close my eyes to savor this perfect moment. Looking around at these familiar faces, I realize this is exactly the kind of on-set family I’ve always dreamt of finding, especially after those tense days dealing with Felix.
I savor all of it because I don’t want it to end.
Chapter 41
Reese
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