Page 76 of Cast to be Mine

My father had never learned a single crew member’s name in his entire career. He referred to everyone by their job title, if he acknowledged them at all.

Micah was different. Micah was better.

And I wanted him with an intensity that scared me.

He finally called wrap around six. The crew began the lengthy process of breaking down equipment, and Micah made his rounds, thanking people individually for their work.

Micah caught my eye across the clearing. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Good day?” I asked when he finally made his way over.

“Great day. You didn’t have to stick around. You could have been relaxing by the pool.”

“I like watching you work.”

He stared at me for several seconds. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I shrugged, trying to play it off. “It’s educational. Seeing how a real director operates.”

“As opposed to a fake director?”

“As opposed to the ones who think screaming is a management style.”

He laughed softly. “I’ve worked with a few of those. It’s not effective. People do their best work when they’re not terrified.”

“Revolutionary concept.”

We climbed into the van separately, sitting rows apart, not looking at each other for the entire ride back to the hotel.

Later that night, I found myself standing outside Micah’s door again. I had takeout. If I got busted at his door, I’d say I was delivering his food.

I knocked softly, hoping he wasn’t going to send me away. I knew it was against our self-imposed rule to stay away from each other, but dammit, I couldn’t.

“Hey,” he said, stepping aside to let me in.

“Hey yourself.” I turned and waited for him to close the door. “Figured you might be hungry,” I said and held up the bags.

“Starving, actually.”

We set up at the table. I’d ordered him a big, fat meal, but chose a salad for myself.

He raised an eyebrow.

“I’ve still got bikini scenes to film,” I said with a laugh. “I don’t want a burrito baby situation.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You look incredible. You don’t need to starve yourself.”

“I’m not starving myself.” I grabbed the bowl of mixed greens and started picking through it. “I don’t want to be standing there trying to remember to suck it in.”

He shook his head but didn’t argue.

“Today was good,” I said finally around a mouthful of salad. “The jungle stuff looked amazing on the monitors.”

“It came together better than I expected. Jack actually showed up.” He took a bite of fish, chewing thoughtfully. “Whatever Chantilly said to him must have worked.”

“Fear is a powerful motivator.”

He laughed. “Apparently.”