It was finally time for the romance to come into play.
It was… not going well.
Tripp took his job seriously, and it was usually perfection. He’d even taken private lessons with an Italian chef to learn how to properly prepare carbonara without it scrambling rather than have the dish edited in. But after that meal, he was supposed to kiss his co-star.
And he had.
But not well.
All his flawless acting became stiff. Unlike the way he looked at me, there was no believable heat in his gaze. No passion in his touch. He didn’t look like Cash, the hotshot chef who was tired of fighting his feelings for his sick neighbor.
He looked like a man who was being tortured.
They called cut again, and the intimacy coordinator rushed over to talk to them.
I used the lull to sneak away from the apartment. One that was located in a ginormous soundstage with some of the other key locations because movies really were magical.
Well, I thought I’d snuck away.
But I’d barely stepped outside when Tripp slammed out after me. He scanned the lot before his eyes landed on where I stood to the side. Concern was all over his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Why?”
“I looked over, and you were slinking out here.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t slink.”
“Skulking.”
“That’s worse.”
“Whatever you want to call it then. Did something go wrong today? Are you okay?”
“I’m good. It went fine. And shockingly quick considering how slow everything else has gone.”
For all the buildup, the deal was accepted without any pushback. Dad forfeited his medical license. His lawyer—who was as good as he’d claimed—said that his case was helped by the fact he’d never involved insurance companies for any of the fake elective procedures. If he had, it would’ve been a way bigger deal.
As it was, she said there was a good chance he wouldn’t serve the full sentence.
My words didn’t reassure Tripp. “Talk to me. Is it the kiss? I can tell them I won’t?—”
“No. I mean, yes, but not for the reason you’re thinking.” I put my hands on his chest and craned my neck to look up at him.
Like every time he saw my hand—or more specifically, the engagement ring adorning it—a possessive heat flashed through his eyes.
I liked it.
And the ring.
I did my best to stay on topic. “I thought you may be feeling a little… awkward with me watching. That’s the only reason I came out here.”
“You’re not mad at me?”
“I would’ve been if you’d immediately gone after her until they had to break out the hoses to separate you two. But after the dozenth or so take with you looking more and more miserable, my jealousy was soothed.”
“Iammiserable. I was from the start, but about halfway through the takes, she ate a piece of the raw garlic from the kitchen set and made it worse.” He lifted a shoulder. “I think I wounded her pride.”
Ouch. Seeing all his acting ability, and then him not being able to muster any of it for a kiss would definitely sting.
