AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I am.” The words feel strange, considering this is my first job in over a decade.
He nods. Clasps his hands. Doesn’t break eye contact. Waits.
I don’t elaborate because in my experience, guys either think what I do is frivolous and want to be my savior—like Harrison—or that I’m easy lay—like everyone else I’ve ever dated. I don’t want to know which side of the fence this guy falls on. “You?”
“I built this place.” He nods to the tool caddy on the floor next to him. I’ve been so lost in his magnetic eyes, I didn’t even notice.
But…this is good. “Oh, so you work here?”
“You could say that.” He doesn’t smile. He smolders. Still eye-fucking me like he can’t help himself.
Which, I understand, because I’m eye-fucking him too.
I can’t help myself. This man is delicious.
We reach the bottom floor and the doors open. Somehow I manage to tear myself away from the grip of his stare. I rush out without saying a word, wincing at my lack of manners. The man has me all bewildered. He makes me want to flee.
I don’t have time to ponder it further though because I’m already late as it is.
I push through the doors into the bustling studio. Ronni and her producing partner, Kris, are huddled together with the camera operators, so thankfully they’re not quite ready. Pax isn’t on set, unfortunately. He’s going to lose his mind when I tell him what happened.
As I take in this afternoon’s scene, which is set in a restaurant, I spy the actor who’s playing my date, Miles, pacing back and forth by the table where we’ll be sitting. He’s mouthing his lines. Priding myself on professionalism, I know I owe him an apology.
“Hey, I’m Clover, sorry I was running a few minutes behind. I had a slight wardrobe malfunction.” I hold out my hand to the red-haired actor who wears thick glasses, a bow tie and a suit that is slightly too tight. All by design, of course. Underneath it all he’s very handsome.
His eyes nearly pop out of his head when he sees me—and my tits. “Eddie Bannon.” He grips my hand a little too tightly, eyes fixated on my cleavage.
“Should we run our lines until they’re ready?” I wince and pull my fingers from his, gesturing to the table. “I thought the dialogue was hilarious.”
“Okay.” He sits without pulling my chair out for me first.
God, no manners. Just like real life.
We go through the scene where the know-it-all nerd tries to school my character about fine dining. I’m pleasantly surprised. What Eddie Bannon lacks in manners he makes up for in acting skills. By the time we run through it once, Ronni is ready to film. We nail the dialogue during the first take.
Except for the last two lines.
Which I flub completely when I notice the carpenter all the way in the back. Standing there. Violet eyes boring a hole into me. I try to regain my composure. “I’m sorry, should we start from the top?” I direct my question to Ronni.
“No, I’m good with this take. Just go back to where Jenna says, ‘Oh, please.’” Ronni gestures to the two of us.
I suck in a breath, keep my eyes focused on Eddie. I will not let the gorgeous carpenter affect my work. Not when I’ve been handed an opportunity of a lifetime. I center myself and pop immediately back into character.
Jenna: “Oh, please. I can appreciate good food without being a pretentious snob about it, Miles.”
Miles: “I wouldn’t call it being a snob, I’d call it having a refined palate.”
Jenna (speaking to the camera): “I’d call it ‘operation order a pizza and watch cat videos on YouTube.’ Anything would be better than spending another minute with this guy.”
“That’s a wrap.” Ronni claps her hands. “Well done both of you. Clover, head back to wardrobe. Let’s burn through a few of the confessional clips tonight, if you’re up for it.”
I glance back to where the carpenter guy was standing. He’s gone. A wave of disappointment washes over me. “Of course, sounds good.”
On my way back to my dressing room I look around for him, half-expecting that he’ll be waiting for me.
No such luck.
I guess it’s for the best.
