Page 9 of Even Ground

“You’re making a movie?” Pania asks.

“I’ve just finished one. It was only two weeks filming. My character comes in closer to the end of the movie, so it wasn’t a long shoot.”

“What’s it about?”

I put my fork down. “Aren’t you supposed to be a fan? Don’t you know?”

Her eyebrows both arch, and I smile to myself.

“Reece. Stop it.” Delaney laughs.

“I heard Pania can give as good as she gets. I just wanted to test her.” I shrug.

Pania meets my gaze. “I’m sorry. I stopped caring about your career when Josh and Delaney got back together.”

I grin. “And there it is.”

“Reece is making a movie about kissing.” Amelia covers her hand with her mouth and giggles.

I give her the side-eye. “Am I now?”

“That’s what Mummy says all your movies are about.”

Josh bursts out laughing, while Delaney is wide-eyed. “I don’t remember saying that.”

“So are Daddy’s movies.” Amelia giggles. “But he kisses Mummy now.”

Delaney shoots Josh a pointed look. “I think maybe we need to explain a few things to our daughter.”

He seems to try and evade her look. “That might be a good idea with us making our movie soon.”

“I think so, seeing as you both have scenes with Gabby.” She’s still staring him down, and I try so hard to resist the urge to laugh. This isn’t the first movie he’s made since they got back together, but she’s never wanted to be anywhere near the set while he’s filming.

“Hot scenes with Gabby,” I say.

He glares at me. “Don’t make things worse. Your scene is more explicit than mine.”

Pania looks between us, her hand poised over her meal with her laden fork hanging in mid-air, as if she’s forgotten that she was taking a bite.

“Before we can make the film, Reece has to actually turn up to work.”

“Ouch.” I grimace.

“You made sure your schedule is clear from here on in, didn’t you? No surprise absences?” Josh asks.

I nod. “It’s all under control. Sara knows I’m not looking for anything else right now.”

“Sara?” Pania asks.

Josh turns toward her. “Sara’s our agent. She’s also trying to sign Delaney after her viral cooking video.”

Pania shifts her gaze to her best friend. “Someone’s keeping secrets.”

Delaney shrugs. “Those videos are just a bit of fun. One of us in show business is more than enough right now.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. What. A. Bitch.” Pania finishes the bite of her meal.

I stare at her. Josh and I joke around all the time with each other, but Pania’s gruff tone takes me aback.

---