After the message from Oliver, Holly went back to work a little shaky but managed to keep a steady hand and not mess up anyone’s face.
At the end of the day, Nancy smiled and said, “Great job, Holly,” and gave her a quick hug before cleaning the benches. “You’re a natural. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
When had Holly ever gotten a congratulatory hug from her mother for doing a good job at something? After leaving the company and Oliver, she’d told Holly she was doing agreat jobscrewing up her life. Nancy’s praise was something she wasn’t used to and warmth burst in her chest.
“I didn’t have to do much, the makeup was fairly basic.”
Nancy paused. “Don’t sell yourself short.”
Shifting awkwardly on her feet, Holly smiled. “Thanks.”
“I’m only speaking the truth. Now, are you going to get ready for your date with Shaun?”
Holly groaned, “Why did I agree to it?”
“Because you wanted to annoy Ethan?” She gave a knowing smile.
“What? No, why would I?”
A smirk played on Nancy’s lips. “To make him jealous?”
“I’m hoping I can make connections. That’s all.” What was Nancy talking about? Was there a small part of her that wanted to make him jealous? No, that was crazy talk.
“Okay, if you say so.” Nancy shrugged not looking convinced.
“Anyway, I hope Shaun’s forgotten. I’m too tired to go out.”
A sharp knock sounded on the trailer door and Shaun entered—beaming with a bright, white smile. “Hey gorgeous, ready to go?” He gave her a head-to-toe inspection. “The Runaway Club has a ‘no jeans’ policy. I’d be happy to take you home to change.” His lewd expression told her he liked the idea.Not happening, buddy.
“Umm… Shaun do you mind if we go outside for a minute?” Simone, the hairstylist and the other makeup artists walked in after Shaun and Holly didn’t want an audience while she broke off the date. She’d been kidding herself trying to believe that it wasn’t one.
He rose an eyebrow but nodded and followed her out.
In the distance the crew packed up equipment and her eyes automatically scanned the area for Ethan. Why would Nancy say she wanted to make him jealous? Had she noticed an attraction between them? Was Holly right earlier when she thought she’d felt it too?
Then she spotted Ethan and her heart gave a flutter. He was talking to a camera guy and as if he felt her gaze on him, he turned towards her. From the short distance, she could see the frown lines between his eyes, and he shook his head. She knew he was telling her not to go out with Shaun.
“What’s up? My driver’s waiting.”
Holly’s eyes snapped back to Shaun. “Shaun… I’m really sorry but…” Her gaze found Ethan again. This time he wasn’t chatting with the camera guy. Now he had his arm around Victoria Martin’s waist as he bent down and kissed her on the lips. When they broke apart and headed toward the car park, he gave Holly another glare over his shoulder.
Fury spiked in her gut. He had no right giving her sexy eyes during the day and then warn her to stay away from Shaun while leaving with another woman. She turned back to Shaun and said, “I’m sorry, I’ll have to keep your driver waiting a few more minutes. I have clothes to change into in the trailer. I’ll try not to be too long.” She raced back into the room.
Grabbing her bag, she unzipped it open and rummaged inside. Thankfully there were a couple outfits suitable for clubbing. With a quick brush of her hair and a swipe of cherrypie lipstick, she waved goodbye to Nancy and Simone. Hopefully she wouldn’t end up regretting her decision.
* * *
“You’re quiet,” Victoria said as she relaxed into the leather seat of Ethan’s car, her strong perfume clogging the air.
Ethan pressed the button for the electric windows to let in fresh air. “Had a full-on day. I’m tired.”
She leaned as close as she could with the console between them. “We can go back to my place instead.”
He gave Victoria a quick glance. The short, emerald skirt and tight plunging black top showcased an extremely sexy woman. And she knew how to work her body to turn men into puddles at her feet. It was ripped denim jeans and a casual t-shirt that turned him on more than the woman with all the practised moves.
He went to Victoria’s trailer during his break intending to have sex. It’s what they did. Today didn’t feel right. The attraction that pulled him to her had gone.
When he went to her trailer, she’d been on the phone and he left to give her privacy. He’d known the second he walked in; he wouldn’t follow through with her offer. Especially when he had another woman on his mind. This was exactly why Ethan had wanted Holly on the train. On set for a few hours and things were already changing. He was thinking about her, reliving the kiss in his mind and watching out for her on set. Distracting him from work. He needed to keep their working relationship strictly professional, block Holly out and continue with his plan as normal.
