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The conversation behind her stopped abruptly, an awkward silence descending. A very large elephant had entered the room.
She stood up, downing the rest of her coffee. She didn’t acknowledge the women as she passed their table. She didn’t give any indication she’d even heard their conversation, but she considered it. She should thank them. They’d given her plenty to think about.
~ ~ ~
As filming continued, she thought more and more about the conversation she’d overheard. And Reece’s answers were vague to say the least. She asked him when he’d like to get married. His answer was after filming was complete. Where did he want to go on their honeymoon? Anywhere she wanted. Should she contact a wedding planner? Did he want to get married in England, California, or North Carolina? Was it too soon for her to start looking for a wedding dress?
He wouldn’t answer, and she grew more frustrated with every evasion. The doubts were creeping in, doing their damnedest to wreck her confidence.
She stopped watching the filming, disappearing to quiet places on the set. Sometimes she’d write; other times she’d stare into space.
Tonight, she was standing on a bridge, leaning against the railing and staring down at the water. The film was done; the final shot had been taken. Everyone was celebrating, but she wasn’t in a partying mood. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts.
The countdown was on. She was certain Reece was going to announce to the world the engagement was off. There was no more need for him to play the devoted, loving fiancé. She knew it like she knew her own name.
“Nicole?”
A hand waved in her face. She spun around. Reece was beside her with a concerned look in his eyes.
“There you are.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
His head tilted, trying to read her mood. “You get a look in your eyes at times, and I know you’ve disappeared inside your head. What’s wrong?”
She shook it off. “Nothing’s wrong. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“What were you thinking about so hard?”
She leaned her back against the railing. “A new story idea.”
“Care to tell me about it?”
“No, I haven’t fleshed it out yet.”
He reached for her, but she flinched away. It was a slight, barely noticeable reaction, but notice he did. “You left the party.”
She scuffed her foot against a wooden slat. “I didn’t feel like celebrating.”
“Me neither. I’d much rather celebrate with you.” He sidled close. “Alone. In my trailer. Under the covers.”
Her pulse leapt. “Sounds intriguing, but the playground is closed at the moment.” It wasn’t, but he didn’t need to know that.
“We could still go back to the trailer and snuggle. You could lay in your nook while we talk.”
“Talk about what? Are we finally going to begin making plans?” Her voice was rising.
Reece leaned away. “Plans for what?”
“The wedding.”
“What about it?”
She slapped her hands against her legs. “I don’t know. How about setting a date? Or what kind of ceremony you’d like or . . .”
He scratched h
is head. “Nicole, I thought we agreed we’d talk about this after the movie is released.”
