Page 62 of A Lucky Shot

“They need to set an option that filters out fish in profile pictures,” he grumbled.

“This is Alberta. That would preclude ninety percent of the men out there. Besides, if they’re out fishing, I’ll know they have at least one hobby and I’ll have some alone time.”

“Like quality time with Chauncy?”

“Among other things, and since you’ve forbidden me from even kissing anyone, a girl has to take care of herself,” she said, the golden flecks in her eyes sparking at him, “and I like to take care of myself.”

He knew exactly what he’d be picturing tonight as he did his own self care.

“And on that exceptionally TMI note, I need to fix Dawson’s suit again because he can’t keep his hands to himself,” she said, and scurried over to where the actors stood in position, her hands all over the seams of the Tennessean’s costume.

He pulled out his phone. “Hey Siri, take a note. Get Terry to find a budget to hire Cass an extra pair of hands.” So she could keep hers off Dawson.

His phone pinged before the voice note was complete. Who would be getting through on DND? Cass’s hands were occupied on Dawson, Stephen had his head down with Libby, that left …

Shit, it wasn’t the studio, was it? Melanie wasn’t due on set until next week. He took one look at the text banner, and his stomach clenched.

Fuck, it was never a good time, but today of all days? He ducked into the alley behind the training facility and dialled.

“Vivian. Hi.”

“You can’t avoid me forever.”

The prickle of goosebumps that flashed over his arms was only partly from the afternoon chill. No hi, no how are you? Not that he could blame her.

“I’m not avoiding you. Did you get my revisions?”

“Yes, and they were unacceptable.”

Why was he not surprised? He’d worked on the revisions for a month after their last useless phone call, late into the night, hunched over his laptop and making edits he knew she’d just change her mind about later. He dug his thumb into his temple. “What do you want?”

“You know what I want. Come in and we can talk in person. Sort through the confusion.”

That wouldn’t help. The confusion wasn’t a communication issue. Not to mention the last time they’d tried to revise the document together while they were in the same room, he’d stormed out in a silent rage. He ground his teeth and willed his voice to be polite. “That’s not possible.”

“Then let me know when you can,” she said crisply, and hung up without another word.

The sun had dipped behind the building, the sky already fading into indigo twilight and any warmth from the fall afternoon long gone. He screwed up his face, pressing his thumbs into his temples.

Every conversation with Vivian ended with him writhing in self-loathing.

Fuck. Well, it wasn’t like he had other plans. He could start again tonight. Maybe this round of edits would finally make her happy.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CASS

Date 11

So?

I wouldn’t know

he hid behind a cloud of vape smoke so thick I thought I was going to choke to death on a watermelon haze

Date 12

That might have actually been a pitch for an MLM

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