Page 3 of Full House

Someone cleared their throat, and it took a moment for her to realize it was Simon. “Guess I don’t have to worry about on-screen chemistry.”

Victoria felt her face flame, and she took a step back, extracting her hand from Nate’s grip. She noticed he was reluctant to let it go, his fingers trailing along her palm as their hands disconnected. She shot him another glance, but while he still stared at her, his expression was masked, hiding his emotions.

Ignoring the awkward tension between his two co-stars, Simon glanced at his watch. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road. I want to start filming in two hours.”

Victoria felt a tug at her elbow. Chrissy returning to her side. “Come on. I’ll show you to your trailer then take you over to makeup.”

Working with a new director and cast of people, Victoria hadn’t been sure what to expect on her first day, but she definitely hadn’t been prepared for the easy camaraderie between her and Nate. Simon had been right; their chemistry was off the charts, and Victoria soon found herself relaxed and joking in Nate’s presence—something that usually took her weeks to achieve with people she’d just met.

The day flew by, progressing into night, and she soon found herself, bone-weary, in her trailer, washing layers of makeup from her face and shampooing the ton of hair products out of her hair. Stepping from the shower, she dried herself then slipped back into the clothes she’d started the day in.

As tired as she was, she could see herself crashing there for the night. On par with a single-wide mobile home, it had all the comforts of home but on a smaller scale—living space, kitchenette, bedroom. Even the bathroom had been fully stocked with shampoo, body wash, and a toothbrush. The only thing missing were some clothes. And while she could sleep in the nude—something she didn’t care to do in a strange place—she needed fresh clothes for the morning, even if she wouldn’t be in them for very long.

Resigned to go home but with a mental note to pack a bag for future use, she locked her trailer and headed to her car.

≈≈≈

It was late, almost midnight and most of the crew had packed up and left, so they’d be ready to start again early the next day. Nate stretched his arms over his head, releasing a yawn as he spied Simon making his way over to him from across the studio.

“It was a good day. Got a lot done. Put us ahead of schedule,” Simon said when he reached Nate.

Nate slipped his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. He was still in costume and makeup. Something he hoped to rectify shortly which meant he needed to make this conversation short—an art he’d perfected over the years.

He gave Simon a curt nod, agreeing but not adding more to the exchange.

Simon was observant—one of the reasons he was so good at his job—and Nate could tell by his next words that Simon picked up on his eagerness to wrap shit up. “I won’t keep you, but I did want to ask, after working with Victoria all day, what do you think of her?”

Nate wasn’t expecting the jolt that hit him at the mention of Victoria’s name. His previously tired brain jump-started into action, flashing images of his day through his head. Victoria was in every one.

He thought a moment before speaking. As he’d said, Simon was observant, and Nate didn’t want anything he said giving away his true feelings on the subject. Not that he knew what the fuck his true feelings were. Victoria Lee had knocked him for a loop.

Yes, she was beautiful—thick chestnut hair that fell in layers around an oval face, big, expressive eyes that didn’t know whether they wanted to be green or blue, and a pert nose atop ruby-red, full lips—but then most in the industry were, and Nate had found, in most, their beauty was only skin deep. And yes, her beauty was what he’d first been attracted to. One look, and fuck if his dick hadn’t grown harder than it had in a very long time. But after spending the day with her—a day in which they’d barely been apart—he realized he also liked her. She was sweet, albeit a little shy, but once she’d felt comfortable in his presence and opened up, she had a dry sense of humor that was funny as hell. He’d caught himself smiling or laughing on numerous occasions all day. Something he hadn’t done in what felt like forever.

But how to answer Simon’s question? “She’s smart, efficient, had all her lines memorized, and isn’t a bitch.” Nate shrugged. “Can’t really ask for more in a co-star.”

Simon chuckled. “You’re right about that.” He took a step to pass then stopped, laying a hand on Nate’s shoulder. “You look tired. Try to get some sleep. There’s only so much makeup can hide.”

He’d said the last with a smile and Nate shrugged off his hand, teasing back good-naturedly, “Dick. You wish you looked as good as me.”

Simon laughed outright at that before disappearing into the shadows.

Nate had to admit, Simon was right about one thing. He was tired. But it was a bone-deep fatigue. A weary with life kind of exhaustion. At thirty-five, one shouldn’t feel so drained. And he felt like an ass complaining, even to himself, because he knew there were at least a million people that would give their soul to be in his shoes.

Maybe he’d feel differently if he hadn’t started so young. He’d landed his first bit part at fifteen, and his first major role at twenty-two, and since then the offers had never stopped. And he was grateful—he really was—but the sixteen-to-eighteen-hour days, the late-night parties, and yes, even the women had become exhausting. To the point where he hadn’t been to a Hollywood party that hadn’t been mandatory in almost four years.

He didn’t see a way out of it, though. That was his life. Acting was all he knew, and he was damn good at it. Most days he was happy with the choices he’d made, but he couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more he was missing. And spending the day with Victoria brought those feelings to the surface.

He stepped out of the building and spied the woman of his thoughts across the parking lot, getting into her car. He frowned, not liking the idea of her driving home alone so late at night. Then shook his head, wondering where the hell that thought had come from. He took a few hurried steps unable to fight the urge to try and stop her, but she was already driving away. A woman driving around the streets of LA in the dead of night was not safe. What if she had car trouble? Or got into an accident? He’d have a talk with her tomorrow.

Walking across the lot, he stopped at the steps to his trailer then looked toward Victoria’s parked not even a hundred feet away. He’d take a quick shower and catch a few hours of sleep in his current new home away from home.

---