Page 54 of You. Me. Us.

“No condom,” he offered with ragged breathing as a way of explanation. “Sorry for the mess.”

She chuckled and moved off his lap entirely. “I will get napkins. I’d suggest a shower to clean you off, but it would be a long sticky walk back.”

His hand caught her wrist. “Is that a promise when we get back? It’s nearly five in the morning. A shower, a round two, and then I’ll be off to film.”

“Promises, promises.” Her words were laced with a hint of mockery as she leaned down to retrieve the crumpled napkins scattered across the floor. The damp cloth touched her skin, leaving behind traces of spilled drink and sticky residue. She grimaced and handed some napkins to him, using one for herself to clean his release off so she could dress as well.

She’d never had sex in public. She’d never had sex without all her clothing being off before.

It was thrilling.

You’re going to fall in love with him.

“I never thought I could feel this way about someone,” Hillary confessed, her voice soft and filled with emotion. “You’ve shown me what it means to truly love and be loved in return.”

Julius lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her skin. “You’ve changed my life, Hillary. Before you, I was just living to make the fans happy. Now, I think it might be safe to say I’m doing things to make you happy, too.”

“I never want to lose this feeling,” she whispered, her fingers intertwining with his. “Promise me that no matter what happens, we’ll always remember these moments.”

Julius leaned in, his forehead touching hers, his breath mingling with her own. “I promise. Just like you promised me something back at the hotel.” He winked and stood to grab his clothing. “A promise I only need a few minutes to recover to enjoy.”

twenty-three

. . .

Hillary stood in reverent awe,her eyes tracing the expanse of the enormous soundstage. Every inch was meticulously designed to resemble the interior of a futuristic space station, complete with winding wires and tubes snaking across metallic walls. The dimly lit corridors were brought to life by blinking control panels, their buttons and switches seemingly ready for activation at any moment. The faint hiss of hydraulics served as a constant reminder of the technology pulsing through this otherworldly setting. It was as if she had stepped into a completely different universe, filled with endless possibilities and unknown adventures waiting to be discovered.

It was unlike anything she’d ever seen, and suddenly she wasn’t certain she was ready for an day of filming.

Filming. You’re about to film a movie.

Her reverie was broken by a friendly clap on the shoulder. “Pretty incredible, isn’t it?” said Marco, one of the cameramen. His brown eyes sparkling with the same excitement racing through Hillary.

“It’s beyond anything I could have imagined,” Hillary breathed. “I still can’t believe I’m here, about to be part of all this.”

“You’ve earned it,” chimed in Lisa, one of six production assistants, as she hurried past with a clipboard. “We’re all rooting for you!”

Hillary smiled, the nerves in her stomach slowly unknotting. The past few weeks of preparation, costume fittings, and script readings had helped her find her footing. Now, standing amidst the hustle and rush of the crew, she thought she belonged, but the enormity of what came next threatened to throw her off the edge.

“Places everyone!” Vera called. “Let’s make some magic happen.”

“Act three, scene eight,” someone called before the sharp slap of a clapboard changed everything.

With a deep breath, Hillary squared her shoulders and stepped into the scene.

A month later, Hillary found herself deeply immersed in her character. Today’s scene involved Stella and Commander Atlas, played by Julius, racing against time to fix a malfunctioning engine before their ship drifted into a dangerous asteroid field. Something she’d never imagined would be as difficult to film as it likely was to conquer in reality, if this ever were someone’s reality.

“I can’t seem to locate the misaligned catalytic converter,” her character said, frustration evident in her voice as she rummaged through a toolbox nearly smashing her thumb against a wrench.

Julius knelt beside her, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Let’s think through this logically,” Julius said, his voice steady and reassuring. “If it’s not in the primary system, it must be in the backup. Here, let me help.”

Together, they carefully combed through the intricate engine room set, meticulously examining every panel and compartment. Hillary couldn’t help but admire the way Julius seamlessly transformed into his character, his actions deliberate and with purpose. She watched in awe as he expertly navigated the cramped space, his body fluid yet controlled like a well-oiled machine. It was as if he had become one with the set, a true embodiment of his role.

“There!” Julius exclaimed, pointing toward a small hatch hidden behind a tangle of wires. “I bet that’s where our pesky converter is hiding.”

Hillary leaned into the dark, cramped crevice and fumbled blindly for the missing puzzle piece. She knew it was there, but if she couldn’t grab it, the shot was ruined. Her heart raced as her fingers brushed against something small and plastic. With a triumphant shout, she retrieved the piece and held it up in front of her with a wide grin on her face.

As they worked together to reattach the converter, their characters’ hands brushing against each other, Hillary couldn’t help but be impressed by Julius’s dedication to the scene. His focus and intensity were palpable, elevating her own performance.

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