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“Unless you tell me what I've done to make you mad, I won't be able to fix the problem.”
"Luca, I’m not mad. I couldn't see you."
Huh?
"What are you talking about?"
"I didn't have time to put my contact lenses in and forgot to grab my glasses on the way to the meeting."
Now that I think of it, she was standing at the back of the room. I run a hand over my face, scraping my whiskers and groan. "Sorry."
She rolls her eyes, but a hint of a smile dances on her lips.
Dan, the Key Grip, is driving towards us in a golf cart loaded with equipment and props. He toots the horn as he parks and jumps out. He grabs an apple box chock full of Christmas decorations and strides towards us.
"Hey boss." Plucking a sprig of mistletoe from the box, he holds it above Audrey's head, giving her a mischievous wink. Audrey glances at me, one brow arched high.
"Show some fucking respect, Dan. Audrey's practically a married woman."
"Hey, easy, boss. I just thought it was fun seeing as we're shooting a Christmas movie."
Despite my desire to kiss her, the urge to protect her is stronger. "Yeah, well, take your mistletoe somewhere else."
Dan grumbles as he scurries to the golf cart and drives away.
Audrey grins, the smile on her face broad enough her cheeks must hurt. "Don't you think that was a bit harsh?" she teases.
"Hush now. You know you love it when I play the protector."
The expression in her doe eyes softens, and a blush turns her cheeks pink. "I do, but you don't need to protect me."
I've seen almost every expression she's ever made in her life, but the one currently on her face is new. I can't put my finger on what it is, but I want her to look at me like that every day.
Knowing she belongs to another man kills me. I feel like I've been dropped into a vat of hot oil somewhere deep within the lower reaches of hell. Real hell, the one with pain and endless suffering.
"I'll always protect you. I can't help it, so don't try to stop me."
Her eyes flash. "Luca—"
I hold my hand up. "It's not my place seeing as you have old what's his name in your life now." I overstepped.
Noisy footsteps clatter across the epoxy floor. "Oh hey, there you are," Terry, the grip assistant says, oblivious to the fact he's interrupted us. "I've got a couple of questions about the snow fight scene. Julianna suggested I ask you about it."
Audrey dips her head, giving me permission to deal with the interruption. Clenching my jaw, I hold my hand up to say bye. We both have work to do, but I'll go find her as soon as I deal with this problem. We're not finished.
Not by a long shot.
Three
AUDREY
We have just wrapped up the first day of shooting. Teamwork prevented major setbacks, but Luca flew off the handle when a few things went wrong. I tried catching up with him, but there were no breaks in the schedule, and it was hectic all day.
I contemplated calling Luca last night to tell him about breaking off my engagement to Brent but decided against it. I didn't want to jeopardize the shoot and feel vindicated after today's performance. I can't keep the truth from him, but I'll choose a better time to let him know.
Edie from wardrobe pops her head through the door of the makeup trailer. Strands of corkscrew curls stick out from under her cap and her eyes are wide with fear.
"Pssst … the ducks are on the pond!" she whisper shouts.
