Page 21 of Unscripted with Mila

“I’m glad. It’s a magical place.”

The door opened, and Lacey Dunbar walked in. Petite, pretty, with blonde hair that was cut to her chin, she had a smile that lit up the camera. She was effervescent, her dark-brown eyes lit with humor. She was the perfect foil against the dark intensity of Nicholas’s character.

She dropped her script on the table, hugged Amber, shook Andi’s hand, then flung her arms around me. “Oh my God. I am so happy to meet you. Your book—all your books. I love them, and I am thrilled to be doing this movie.” She stepped back, meeting my eyes. “I have so many questions.”

“I hope I can answer them.”

“I’m sure you can.” Then she grinned. “And I won the pool.”

“The pool?”

“I bet A.M. Archer would be a woman in the prime of her life, simply wanting her privacy. I also said you’d be as cute as your characters.” She winked drolly. “Nick won’t be as happy.”

“What was his guess?”

“An older woman living vicariously through her characters. Maybe writing from memory. He said the author was too sensitive to be a male.”

“Well, I hope he isn’t disappointed.”

“I’m shocked he isn’t here yet. I heard him earlier, bellowing on set. Looking for someone named Shortcake or something.” She rolled her eyes. “He bellows a lot, but it’s all show. He’s a great guy.”

“That’s right. You’ve worked with him before.”

She nodded. “Brilliant actor.” A dark look crossed her face. “Misunderstood by a lot of people, and sometimes…” She trailed off.

“Sometimes?” I prompted.

She shook her head. “Nothing. My own musings. I need coffee then we can get this started!”

She moved away, and I tamped down my frustration. I had a feeling she was about to divulge something about Nicholas. Something important. I would have to try to find a way to wheedle it out of her later.

I went to the sideboard, pouring myself another cup of coffee. The actor playing against Nicholas as his best friend came in and introduced himself, shaking my hand with a wide smile. With his shock of red hair and dimpled chin, he was the ideal sidekick for the main character.

“Bradley Holmes. Good to meet you. You are quite the mystery, Ms. Archer. Or do you prefer Mrs.? Miss? A.M.?” he asked in a teasing tone.

I smiled at his query, waving my hand. “Mila is fine,” I assured him.

Behind me, the door opened, and without looking, I knew it was him. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. My entire body began to hum with him being in the same room. I swore I felt his intensity. Sensed his penetrating stare on the back of my head. For a moment, I was frozen, then I blinked to clear my head and took a sip of my coffee, striving for calm. With a fast breath for courage, I turned around and met his eyes.

Nicholas stared back, and I had no doubt how he felt about finding me here. His dark eyes were filled with ice, and they spoke volumes.

Anger didn’t cut it.

Fury barely touched it.

Wrath came close.

CHAPTER SEVEN

NICHOLAS

I grunted as I stirred my coffee, having given up asking any of the runners for one. They never got it right. There was either too much cream or not enough. Often no sugar. Or some of them totally fucked it up and brought me a cup with enough sugar added to send me into shock. The only one who got it right so far was Shortcake, and she was nowhere to be found this morning. Again.

She was a mystery, it appeared, and not only to me. No one else seemed to have heard of her. It was as if I was the only one to have had any interaction with her, yet I swore I saw her talking to an agent I had seen on set and a few other people.

She was familiar to me somehow, reminding me of someone. I still hadn’t figured it out, but I would. Some of her gestures were unique, yet I felt I already knew them. She stuck to the shadows, seemed shy, her voice quiet, but at times, I saw the flash of a feistier personality. But when I pressed her, she ran away.

Much like Mila had done the two times I’d seen her in the pool. It was strange how similar the two women seemed when they raced away from me.