Page 19 of Rocks You Like a Cabernet

“Jesus,” I mutter to myself, snapping out of my thoughts. “That for sure wasn’t five minutes.”

Hustling to the stage I’m needed in, I come to a halt when I see what they’ve done to the place. They’ve completely transformed this area from the castle's interior to a sparkling forest scene.

In the book, this is the part where Adelina’s brother, King Roman, holds a ball in her honor so that she can announce her betrothal to one of the neighboring realms. Of course she choses Eren and war is threatened but besides that it’s a magical scene.

Glass lanterns of all colors are hanging from the branches of the trees and there are twinkle lights everywhere. Literally everywhere.

“Incredible,” I say to Cameron as I walk up beside him.

“Yeah, the designer did a spectacular job. This is worth an Emmy nod at least.” I chuckle at Cameron’s thinking but get it. “Get your ass up there and take your mark. We only have one chance to get your honest reaction to Adelina's dress when she descends from the trees. Don’t fuck it up. You two have been doing really well lately.”

I roll my eyes at him before making my way onto the stage. Bryn and I have run this scene so many times that I have no fears of messing it up. Yet Cameron’s words about my reaction to Bryn’s dress has me curious. Hadn’t I seen her in all her character costumes?

“Everyone ready? Quiet on set! Action.”

The extras move around me and I hit my marks, waiting for the moment that Bryn is supposed to enter. Then, finally, the music of the party dies down and everyone turns. Including me.

From one of the large trees in the middle of the set, lights begin to twinkle and a form can be seen shadowed in the light. When the light fades and I can see Bryn, I lose my breath.

Holy shit.

She’s stunning. As both Princess Adelina and my Bryn.

My reaction to watching her descend from the tree to make her grand entrance at the party isn’t faked. I can’t take my eyes off of her. She’s captivating, holding my heart and my attention in the palm of her hand.

When she’s feet in front of me, I take all of her in. Her dress looks unreal and so stunning. Flowers are embroidered all over the glimmering lace. The color of the material is skin toned so it looks like she’s covered by nature–coming to the party in her natural state.

When Bryn and I lock eyes, a spark ignites in my chest. With the way she’s looking at me, I know she’s feeling this deep connection too.

After that, I’m not sure what happens. Muscle memory kicks in and I continue the scene with Bryn as we’ve done it a hundred times before. Cameron stops us only twice to get new angles of the scene but I’m too immersed in Bryn to really pay attention.

“Cut. That’s a wrap people! Great job.”

I hear movement and celebrating voices all around me but I don’t take my eyes off of Bryn. We’re close. Our lips had just touched for the final kiss. My heart is beating rapidly, my chest rising and falling fast, and I don’t want the moment to end.

“Come home with me,” I whisper to her, longing evident in my voice.

She doesn’t make me wait, nodding as soon as the words are out of my mouth.

Someone pulls me away, throwing their arm over my shoulders and shaking me. A wide smile breaks out over my face, but it’s not because we just wrapped season one.

It’s because tonight I was going to make Bryn mine.

After tonight, she wouldn’t be my fake anything. We’d be the real deal.

Chapter Eleven

Henrik

I’m waiting at the elevator like a little kid. Filled with anticipation, nerves but so much glee that it can barely be contained. I’m literally bouncing on my tiptoes, watching the numbers climb. Bryn is on her way up to me.

I want to play it cool but I know the moment I see her I’ll lose all reason. She’s all I’ve been thinking about lately and after today’s scene, I’m officially obsessed with her.

The elevator is seconds away from hitting the penthouse floor. Taking a deep breath, I ready myself. When the doors open, all I make out is a blur of blue before she’s crashing into my arms.

I barely have time to wrap my arms around her before Bryn is wrapping her legs around me and trying to climb me like a tree. I’m all for it but I need to get her inside my apartment.

“Princess, we need to take this inside.”

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