Page 56 of A Simple Love

“If you want to discuss it further, come see me.”

“Thanks. I will.”

He rose, then paused and turned around. “How was Kassie last night? I know you were worried.”

“Better. She slept well.”

He lifted an eyebrow knowingly, and I cursed myself for letting that slip.

“I see,” he said dryly.

“I checked on her,” I offered lamely.

“I bet you did. I assume the landlady status has moved a few markers?” he said with a grin. “I don’t think she’ll be calling me.”

“No, she won’t.”

“Ah. Well, looks like lots of changes are ahead for you, Oliver. I wish you all the best.”

I stared after him, not bothering to correct him. Nothing was changing. My time with Kassie was limited to the film shoot. I had a good observation about a scene. A one-off. Once I left here in a few weeks, life would continue on the way it had before I’d come back to Richton.

I wasn’t sure why he would think differently.

The following evening, I was exhausted. It had been a day filled with problems and reshoots. So tired, I crashed in my trailer. I called Kassie, the sound of the falling rain rhythmic on the tin roof. She sounded breathless when she answered.

“Hello.”

“Hey, lovely.”

“Oh, hi,” she replied.

“Are you okay? You sound out of breath.”

“Oh, my lover just left.”

I paused, unsure how to answer, then heard her low giggle.

“Funny girl. I can’t be in two places at once.”

That made her hum. I liked that sound.

“I was putting pies in the freezer.”

“Any blueberry ones left over?”

“I might have made a few extra single ones.”

“I would love a slice right now.”

“When are you coming home?” she asked.

The word home warmed my heart a little, making me smile.

“Not until tomorrow when Davis finishes torturing us. I am so exhausted, I’m ready to crash on the sofa here.”

“Good. The roads are slick this time of the night.”

“I figured. I have a six-a.m. call too, and I thought if I stayed, I wouldn’t be tempted.”