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He chuckled, handing her a damp washcloth. “I’d say, no can do. It’s all part and parcel of the job. Besides, you wrote the scene that way. I’m only acting it out.”
“I know, but watching you with another woman, doing what we do, obviously makes me nauseous.”
“I may be glib in saying this, but you’ll get used to it.”
“Will I?”
He squatted down beside her, brushing the hair out of her eyes. “If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t enjoy it.”
She grimaced. “Obviously, neither did I.”
He chuckled. “Come on, up you go.” He helped her to her feet. “You were done, weren’t you?”
Her look was rueful. “Yeah, pretty much. I hope I don’t react this way every time I watch you in a love scene.”
“They never bothered you before.”
“I wasn’t with you then.”
He smiled, turning toward the sink. “Brush your teeth. I’m not kissing you with toilet breath.” She stuck her tongue out at him.
He laughed. “Don’t stick it out unless you intend to use it.”
And when she was done with her teeth, she did just that.
~ ~ ~
Nicole was standing in the Kraft Services tent, helping herself to a steaming cup of coffee. The temperature outside had dropped when rain began coming down in sheets. Filming was delayed for the time being, and everyone of importance was hiding, biding their time in their trailers.
She took a sandwich from the tray, settling in at a table in the corner with her back to the entrance. She was working on an upcoming scene the director wanted re-tweaked. It wasn’t going well. She couldn’t wrap her mind around how to give him what he wanted without completely changing the story.
She was focusing on her assignment, trying to act oblivious to anyone else’s presence, but she couldn’t help tuning in to a conversation at a table nearby.
“I don’t get it. He’s so . . . and she’s,” the voice dropped.
“I know,” another replied. “He must’ve lost his mind.”
Nicole was intrigued. Who were they talking about?
“Did you see that ring? It must’ve cost him a fortune.” There was a snide sounding laugh. “She must have chosen it. I can’t imagine he’d pick out anything so gaudy.”
“Let’s just hope he can return it once their sham engagement is over.”
Nicole sat up straight. Were they talking about her?
“Do you think their engagement is a publicity stunt?”
“I can’t see it as being anything else. According to their people . . . well, his people, she’s a nobody. I doubt she even has people. Anyway, according to his people, they were friends with no romantic interest. Two months later, she’s running around with that ring on her finger, and he’s acting like he’s completely besotted with her. It’s a sham. It must be.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he agreed to it just to build interest in the movie.”
“There can be no other explanation. I mean, she’s a screenwriter, for Christ’s sake. Reece Collins is a freaking God. He can do so much better than that drab, little nobody, who always has her face stuck in a book.”
Nicole’s shoulders hunched. Was it true? Was the engagement a sham? Unasked questions filled her mind, but she didn’t have the time to dwell on them.
Davis poked his head into the tent. “Delancey, how’s the re-tweak? Shepherd is waiting on it.”
“Almost done, Davis. I’m finishing it up now. Tell him I’m emailing it over.” She hit send.
