Page 63 of Cast to be Mine

I pulled out my script and started reviewing scenes, trying to channel some of Micah’s focus. Unfortunately, the words blurred on the page. And dammit, my mind kept wandering back to him.

Toby flopped into the seat next to me, a bag of pretzels in hand.

“You look deep in thought.”

“Just running lines in my head.”

“Want me to run them with you?”

“Sure.”

The flight felt endless and too short at the same time. Five hours of being in the same enclosed space as him but not being able to touch him.

I had it bad.

The islands emerged from the clouds. The whole plane went quiet as we all focused on the scene unfolding below us. Lush green mountains, white sand beaches, water so blue it looked photoshopped. A collective gasp went through the cabin.

“Holy shit,” someone behind me breathed.

My sentiments exactly.

We landed smoothly and taxied to a private terminal. The doors opened and warm, humid air flooded the cabin, carrying the scent of plumeria and salty sea air. I stepped off the plane and felt the tension melt away.

Paradise. We were actually in paradise.

A group of locals waited for us on the tarmac, their arms full of flower leis. One by one, they draped the fragrant garlands around our necks, greeting each of us with a warm “Aloha” and a kiss on the cheek.

The flowers were soft against my skin, the scent intoxicating. I kept sticking my nose in the flowers and inhaling.

I watched Micah receive his lei a few feet away. The purple and white flowers looked almost comical against his all-black outfit. But when the elderly Hawaiian man said something to him, Micah’s flashed that gorgeous smile that made my knees weak.

Our eyes met. He raised an eyebrow, gesturing to his lei with a look that said can you believe this? I grinned back, touching my own flowers.

We piled into a fleet of vans for the drive to the hotel. I ended up sandwiched between Toby and one of the sound guys, watching the scenery roll by through the window. Palm trees swayed in the breeze. Everything was so green, so alive.

I hoped we had some time to explore. I hadn’t seen the call sheets yet, but there was no way we’d be working twenty-four-seven.

The hotel was stunning—one of those massive resorts that sprawled across the coastline. White buildings with terracotta roofs. Manicured gardens bursting with tropical flowers. A pool that seemed to blend seamlessly into the ocean beyond.

The serenity that they probably advertised was absolutely destroyed by our arrival. The lobby was pure chaos. People everywhere all talking excitedly. Micah stood at the front desk, his laptop open on the counter, working with the hotel concierge to sort out the room assignments.

I hung back near a massive arrangement of birds of paradise, watching the circus unfold. Patty had disappeared somewhere with my bags, promising to text me my room number once everything was sorted.

That’s when Jack and Chantilly made their entrance.

Of course they had to make an entrance.

They swept through the lobby doors like they were walking a red carpet, Chantilly in some kind of flowing caftan that actually hurt my eyes. Jack in designer sunglasses despite being indoors. A small army of assistants trailed behind them, wheeling enough luggage to clothe a small nation.

I watched them glide up to the reception desk.

“This won’t do,” Chantilly announced, loud enough for half the lobby to hear. “Jack needs ocean views. And a proper suite. Not a standard room.”

I rolled my eyes.

Always a spectacle.

The poor hotel manager who’d materialized to greet them looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor. “Mrs. Montana, I assure you the room is quite lovely.”