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The anger and hatred radiating from Teagan is concerning. Does she not realize what this film could do for her?
“This picture has the potential to be huge, Teagan. It will set you up to take over Hollywood.”
Her chin dips, and her eyes fall to her shoes. “Don’t remind me.”
Are those nerves? This girl is a star. Can’t she see that?
“You have nothing to worry about. Just show up and do your thing, and you’ll be gold.” I try to reassure her, but it’s obvious she’s nervous.
How could she not be? This could make or break her career. She’s worked so hard to get to this point, and one wrong move could end it all.
I hope she realizes I’ll do anything to help her flourish, including fly to a deserted island with a man who hates me, and even play nice with the ass.
“If you say so.” Despite the way her voice rises an octave, she’s not fooling me. Nothing I’m saying will make her feel at ease.
Until the film wraps, she will be a bundle of nerves, and I can’t blame her.
“Come on, show me where the coffee is.”
Teagan lets out a laugh. “Struggling?”
“You know it.”
“Can’t have that.” Her hand reaches out, tugging my arm, leading me toward the tables. A lot of people are already halfway done with their meals, but that’s no concern to me. I don’t make eye contact with a single person, heading straight to the coffee.
I don’t know anyone, which suits me perfectly. I’m not here to hobnob. I’m here to ensure Teagan has everything she needs to get this movie done.
Grabbing the largest mug I can find, I serve myself.
The robust fragrance filters in through my nose, and my eyes close as I breathe it in further. This is what I need. This will make things better. Lifting it to my mouth, I take a swig before finding a place to sit.
Teagan has ditched me for food, and I don’t mind. I’m by myself, able to take in my surroundings. As expected, I know no one. This is a closed set with very few crew members.
I wonder where Paxton is and what he’s been up to this morning. I didn’t even check to see if he was still in his hut. My mind was too preoccupied with finding caffeine. A man approaches the table, staring at me. He looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t place him.
“Mallory Reynolds,” he says, smiling wide. “It’s been forever.”
I smile back, trying and failing to place the man.
“I’m not sure if you remember me. We met years ago through your father.”
I try my hardest to refrain from grimacing at the mention of my father. Just what I need, a reference to him, of all people.
Here I am, trying to break out on my own, and my Achilles’ heel, aka my dad, is still hovering over me.
I’m hoping he puts me out of my misery and introduces himself, and luckily for me, he does.
“Jeffrey Trainer.”
He extends his hand for me to shake, and I do. Immediately after, I use both hands to lift the coffee mug to my mouth, to buy some time to figure out what to say next. I’m not usually this awkward, but I usually don’t encounter people who know my dad before I’ve even had my coffee.
“How is your father?” he asks, and I internally groan that this is how my morning has started.
Not a good sign for today.
I shrug. “Good, I guess. I haven’t spoken to him recently.” I hope my answer keeps him from pressing the issue because I’d rather discuss fungus growing on trees than anything to do with my father.
“Well, I imagine so, since the service here is so spotty.” He laughs. “As a producer, I don’t have much of a choice. Stefan sure can be difficult sometimes.” His shoulders shake with continued laughter. “My next project will not be on a deserted island.”
I offer a tight-lipped smile but continue to drink my coffee.
“It’s great to get to spend some time with you,” he says, and for a moment, I think he’s going to sit across from me.
“It will be nice. Rain check? I need to find my client.”
He nods. “Of course. I’ll see you around. Not many places for you to hide.”
Creepy way to put it, but accurate.
With that, Jeffrey walks off, and I’m thankful. My eyes scan the area, looking for Teagan because I don’t want that man to find me still sitting here and come back.
She’s sitting by herself at a table closer to the edge of the clearing.
Coffee in hand, I make my way to her, sitting across the table. “Everything okay?”
She scrunches her nose. “I guess I’m just nervous for today.”
I lift a brow. “What’s happening today that has you nervous?”
“We’re filming a scene that we tried to do last week.” She blows a stray hair out of her eyes. “It was a total disaster.”
