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“I promise I’ll be more careful,” I murmur.
He nods, satisfied with my reply. “Come on, Sparkles. Let’s get this stuff inside.”
When we get back, Ryder asks Jackson to help him with the tree, even though he didn’t seem to struggle loading it, maneuvering it into position, and dropping it into the stand.
I set to work unwrapping the decorations from their boxes. I’ll need to catalog all of these later as my personal inventory and make sure I keep the details safe, so should another Christmas tree go up in flames, I can claim it back on the insurance.
“Oh, Charity.”
Julianna’s voice makes me jump, and I turn to face the owner of the studios.
“These are so beautiful.” She plucks a tiny glass angel from the safety of some crushed tissue paper and examines it. “I heard about the accident. Are you okay?”
I smile sheepishly. “Yes, thank you. I chargrilled my hand, but the nurse gave me some ointment and directions on how to change the bandages.”
“I’m glad Ryder was on hand to take you to the hospital,” she says with a perceptive look. “Be sure to take breaks when you need them,” she says kindly before moving off to speak to Luca.
I go about my work. Lights, ribbons, and what seem like five-hundred ornaments are quickly placed on the tree. With Ryder’s help, I’m done with minutes to spare as Scarlett and Kane arrive on set.
Ryder and I stand back, and I cast a final eye over the set, pleased with my work. A buzz of excitement runs through me as the cameras begin to roll.
Filming ofThe Naughty Listis officially underway.
Five
RYDER
Iknow I shouldn’t, but I can’t help watching Charity as she works. She moves around the tree in a dream, and when she pulls the step ladder over and climbs it, I find myself racing across the studio to hold it steady for her.We don’t need another trip to the ER today because she’s fallen and concussed herself.
Charity places a large star on the top of the tree, and within seconds Luca has the actors out and everyone in place.She smiles at me as I fold away the steps and rush them from the stage. We make ourselves scarce, leaving the sound engineers, lighting technicians, camera operators, and actors to do their bit.
The next few days pass in shouts of “action” and “cut.” The second morning of shooting the movie, I discovered that Grace, one of the camera operators, was locked in the break room with Landon, the caterer, all night, and they were found early the next morning by the cleaner. Not the best start to my security stint. Working with Charity is a distraction.
Charity flits about the place like a real-life Christmas fairy, ensuring everything is perfect before the actors are called on set. From time to time, I find her with her head buried in a brief from Luca, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. I think about reaching out to Luca and asking him to provide Charity withcolored paper for the briefs. Colored paper makes reading much easier for Charity with her dyslexia as it reduces the stress on her eyes, but I don’t want to overstep. Once she’s finished reading, she looks relieved and dashes off to do another task. Pride fills my chest, knowing how much she struggles. I can almost see her confidence blossoming, and it’s great to see her doing what she loves and achieving her potential.
“Dude, you’re staring holes in the poor woman.”
I’m not sure when Jackson appeared beside me, but his opinion isn’t welcome right now.“Shut up, asshole.”
Jackson grins and continues unabated. “What are you buying her for Christmas?”
My jaw flexes. “Who?”
“Don’t give me that shit. You know who.”
I turn to look at him. “We’re not together. We’re friends.”
Jackson shakes his head, tutting. “What about when you took her out after the hospital?”
“What about it?” I try not to be irritated by his line of questioning.
“You took her Christmas tree shopping and to Bevans,” he points out. “And everyone knows the Magic Beanstalk makes the most amazing Christmas-flavored cocoa.”
“It was to get props. Hardly date material. And how do you know we got cocoa?”
“Saw the take-out cups with their logo in your truck when we were untying the tree. Seems like a date to me—"
“She’s Luke’s kid sister. I’m looking out for her, that’s all. You know why,” I grunt.Jackson is the only person who knows about my promise to Luke.
