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The other thing I’d used the time for was to show Scarlett that I wanted her, and I wouldn’t give up. I popped up in random places to give her chocolate—her biggest weakness—or flowers or just another chaste kiss on her forehead. Those practically killed me, but I just had to remind myself that she was worth it. I never stuck around long enough to share more than a few words, and after a while, she stopped looking like a deer in headlights whenever I appeared. In fact, when I caught up with her on her jog this morning, she’d smiled at me, the corners of her eyes crinkling, telling me she was pleased to see me. We’d run in companionable silence, enjoying each other’s company without the need to fill the quiet.
When we arrived back at the studio, I walked her to her trailer and leaned in, kissing her cheek this time.
“Kane…”
I turned to walk away, so I pivoted around when she said my name. “Yeah, baby?”
She pursed her lips, which shouldn’t be sexy, but anything she did with that perfect mouth inspired dirty thoughts. After a few seconds, she shook her head and whispered, “Nothing.” Then she jogged up the stairs and entered her trailer.
I wanted to follow her, but I had a plan and I was going to stick to it. Today, I wouldn’t take no for an answer. She would hear me out whether or not she wanted to. So, I made my way back to my trailer to shower and change before my call time. A few hours later, I left hair and makeup and was on my way to wardrobe when my phone rang. A glance at the screen stopped me in my tracks, and I rushed to answer. “Did you find anything?”
The woman on the other end of the line relayed the information I’d been seeking, and my free hand balled into a fist. “Thanks,” I gritted out when she finished.
When I hung up, I barely stopped myself from throwing my phone at the wall.
I didn’t care what it took. I wouldn’t rest until she was ruined.
Four
SCARLET
The last few days had been heaven and hell.
I wouldn’t have thought it possible to look forward to and dread someone’s presence at the same time.
And with tonight being Christmas Eve…I wasn’t sure what to feel this year.
My family and I were very close, and my parents and sisters had moved to California shortly after I made my second film. We’d always spent Christmas together, but I’d been so angry the last two Christmases that I’d come to hate the holiday. They would be absolutely shocked if I showed up on Christmas Day without being coerced, threatened, or bribed.
With Kane was worming his way back into my heart with his sweet gestures and respectful attitude, I found my “bah humbug” attitude fading. I kept expecting Kane to push me, but when it didn’t happen, I began to believe he’d changed. That perhaps he’d found more patience and wouldn’t jump to conclusions in the future. However, I was terrified of being wrong.
“Good morning, Vienna,” I greeted my PA with a big smile when she entered the dressing room. “Merry Christmas Eve.”
“Hey! Merry Christmas! So, I…” she chattered on about things I knew I should pay attention to, but I hadn’t been able to shake off the dreamy fog I’d found myself in after my run this morning. I’d never been a big fan of running. I did it to burn off all the chocolate I couldn’t resist eating. This morning was the first time I’d ever relaxed and enjoyed myself. When Kane walked me back to my trailer, I’d almost invited him to come in and shower with me but thought better of it at the last moment. Sex would not solve the issues between us. I wasn’t sure anything could. I didn’t want to spend my life on pins and needles, afraid that Kane would never truly trust me and waiting for the day when it all blew up in my face.
“On set in five, Scarlett,” Cam called out to me, her head poking through the partially opened door.
“Thanks,” I replied with a nod, and she smiled before disappearing.
I answered a few more questions for Vienna, then visited the makeshift hair and makeup table in the back near the catering. They touched up everything, straightened my costume, then gave me a thumbs up and sent me on my way. They were wrapping up a scene, so I sat in a chair behind the film crew and watched the magic unfold. We really had lucked out with the cast for this movie. Somehow, Julianna had got some of the best people I’d ever worked with. And those I hadn’t met, I knew by reputation.
As the scene before me unfolded, it pulled me into the fictional world that we’d created. I ran over lines in my head, immersing myself in the scene and getting in touch with the emotions. I left Hollywood and Scarlett Cassidy behind, stepping into the shoes of Bianca and walking into her world.
When I felt a presence beside me, I glanced up to see Kane staring down at me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Or maybe it was Hunter looking at Bianca. The scenewe were about to film was another fight, one where the couple breaks up—before Santa brings them back together, of course.
“Scarlett! Kane!” Luca grunted. “Places.”
Kane gestured for me to go first, so I stood and walked onto the set.
Once we were directed into the right positions and the camera was rolling, I looked at my co-star and saw only Hunter.
“There is no us, Hunter,” I said tiredly. “It would take a Christmas miracle to mend what’s broken between us.”
Kane was silent for a beat, and I waited for him to say his line—Santa doesn’t bring presents to naughty little girls, Bianca.
“What about an honest apology and a lot of groveling?”
I’d been staring at the ground, but my head whipped up at Kane’s ad-libbed line.
