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Ian rested his hand on the knob of the front door. “You don’t have to tell me the other agency. I already know.”
And damn if he’d lose this starlet to his rival. They’d ruin her and not give a damn about reputation, only the bottom line, which was money to them.
“It’s not a decision I’m going to make overnight.” Lily lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the afternoon sun. “I am glad you’re on set, though, because that will give us more of a chance to discuss terms and what I’m looking for in an agency.”
Good. That sounded as though she was interested in him. “I’m ready to talk anytime you are.”
A bright smile spread across her face. “Well, right now I’m needed for a scene, but perhaps we could have lunch or dinner one day while we’re both here?”
Returning her smile, Ian nodded and opened the door for her, gesturing her in. “Let me know when you’re not filming and we’ll make that happen.”
Nodding her thanks, Lily headed into the house. Ian wasn’t sticking around for the short scene retake. He had other pressing matters to attend to. Like the beauty he’d seen out in the field moments ago. With red hair blazing past her shoulders and a heart-clenching smile on her face, Cassie had captured his attention instantly. So what else was new? The woman managed to turn him inside out without even being near. More times than not she consumed his thoughts, but when he’d seen her taking her daughter on a horseback ride, Ian had to admit that the sight had damn near stopped him in his tracks.
Emily’s sweet squeals of delight, the loving expression on Cassie’s face... The combination had shifted something in Ian’s heart, something he wasn’t quite ready to identify.
But he did know one thing. He’d been wrong. He was wrong about Cassie in thinking she was just like his mother. His mother never would’ve taken the time to have precious moments with him like the ones he’d seen with Cassie and Emily. His mother had been too busy on her quest for love and Mr. Right.
Ian ran a hand over his hair and sighed. He’d turned out just fine, no thanks to Mom and Dad, but getting involved with a woman and an innocent child was a hazardous mistake that would leave all parties vulnerable and in a risky position. What did he know about children or how to care for them?
And why was he even thinking this way? He was leaving in a few weeks. No matter his attraction and growing interest in Cassie Barrington, he couldn’t afford to get personally involved.
Hours later, after he’d drafted a contract he hoped would entice Lily Beaumont into signing with his agency, Ian found himself leaving his trailer and heading toward Cassie’s cottage.
Night had settled over the grounds and all was quiet. No bustling crew or noisy conversation. Max’s wife and baby had shown up earlier in the evening, so they were probably holed up in his trailer for family time. And the producer’s and director’s families had arrived the day before. Bronson Dane and Anthony Price were at the top 1 percent of the film industry and still made time for their growing families.
Everyone had a family, a connection and the promise of love.
Ignoring the pang of envy he didn’t want to feel, Ian stepped up onto Cassie’s porch, which was illuminated with a lantern-style light on either side of the door. As soon as he knocked, he glanced down to his watch. Damn, maybe it was too late to be making a social call.
The door swung open and Ian took in the sight of Cassie wearing a long T-shirt and her hair down, curling around her shoulders. Long legs left uncovered tempted him to linger, but he brought his eyes back up to her surprised face.
“I’m sorry,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I just realized how late it was.”
“Oh, um...it’s fine.” She rested her hand on the edge of the oak door and tilted her head. “Is everything okay?”
Nodding, Ian suddenly felt like an idiot. “Yeah, I was working and lost track of time. Then I started walking and ended up here.”
A sweet smile lit up her features. “Come on in,” she told him, opening the door and stepping aside. “I just put Emily to bed, so this is fine.”
He stepped inside and inhaled a scent of something sweet. “Is that cookies I smell?”
Cassie shut the door and turned to face him. “I thought I’d make some goodies for the wives who arrived. This way they can stock their trailers with snacks. I already made a batch of caramel corn.”
His heart flipped in his chest. He hated the fact he kept going back to his mother, but he honestly couldn’t recall a time when his mother had baked anything or even reached out to others by doing a kind act.
