Page 51 of A Little Bit Extra

“Hardly,” I respond, turning to grab another spoon to stir the honey in the mugs. I reach to pick up the dirty spoon and toss it in the sink. “That’s what you consider comfortable clothes? Are you staying the night?” I slide the mug across the island as Cassie takes a seat on one stool on the opposite side.

She nods, taking a sip of the tea. “Yes, these are my comfy clothes. And no, I’m not staying the night.” Damn, what I’d give for her to say yes.

“Well, drink up, Sass. We have scenes to rehearse. Do you have the script?” I ask.

“Oh! Yes!” She hops down from the stool, walking back toward the front door. She bends over and dear god, I know I should look away but I can’t. My gaze remains on the way her shorts cling to her, leaving me wondering if she’s chosen to go without underwear. Leaving herself bare for me, hoping tonight will lead to somewhere.

I get my composure back once she stands up and walks back to the island. “Here.”

She hands me one of the pink folders with the word “ROMANCE” written in the middle in Sharpie, keeping the other for herself. I lean forward on the island, resting my elbows on the counter. Opening the folder reveals three pages of paper, with words printed on both the front and back.

I take out the first page, skimming the scene. They’re your typical romance scenes, full of cheesy lines and all.

“You don’t have to do it, you know. You can still say no,” Cassie blurts out.

I raise my eyes to meet hers and stand up from the island. Cassie looks at her hands. She’s nervous, which is not like her.

“Come on.” I move toward the living room. I look back to make sure she’s following me. “You coming?”

She nods, biting her lip.

I stop in front of the couch and wait for her to stand in front of me. She stops, but not as close to me as I’d like. There are a solid two feet between us, a gap I plan to close once we act. Her eyes are looking at the scenes.

“You need to relax,” I tell her.

“You’re not supposed to tell a girl to relax.” Her eyes shoot upwards, but her head remains tilted down toward the floor.

“Do you trust me?”

“I don’t not trust you.” Her lips turn up in a smile, then her eyes return to the script.

I roll my eyes. “Let’s do this.”

“And you’re sure you don’t have any problems rehearsing with me?” Cassie looks up at me again. “Even after reading the first script?”

“I wish you’d stop asking me that. Of course I’m sure.”

“Did you read the whole script?”

“Yes. Are you asking because it ends in a kiss? Nervous you won’t be able to resist me?” I tease.

She rolls her eyes this time.

There’s my girl. Those three words echo through my head. I try to hold in a smile, but it doesn’t work. My mouth forms into a grin.

She smiles but then bites her lip to stop herself from blushing, which does not work one bit. Her cheeks are a soft pink, increasing to the color of a rose.

“Okay, let’s do this,” Cassie finally says after what feels like an hour of waiting for her to go through the pros and cons of us running lines together in her head.

“It won’t be any different from you being an extra, Sass, no pressure.” I shrug.

Cassie takes a deep breath and begins the scene.

When she delivers the first line, I try my best not to drop my jaw. She’s a natural. The perfect amount of emotion, not too much to be overly dramatic and not too little to seem dry. It’s enough to distract me from responding with my line.

“Emmett, that’s your cue,” Cassie says, smirking at me. I blink my eyes a few times, considering I was just staring at her like she’s some rare diamond. Can you blame me? This girl randomly stumbled into my life and has me on my knees. Not literally, although… no. I need to focus and not think about my head between her legs.

“Right.” I look at the script and then back up to resume the scene. “Don’t tell me to leave you. Not now, not ever.” I improvise and reach out to grab her hand in mine. She flinches the slightest bit, surprised by my touch, so I give her hand a squeeze.

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