Page 27 of The Backup Bride Proposal

“Our server did.”

“Yeah, she thought I was Clyde.”

She let out a frustrated breath. “I’m not looking for any kind of relationship, Kane.”

He turned up the drive leading to the main house. “Great. Me, either. We’re like perfect for each other.”

Dammit. She should have just told him the kiss sucked.

He pulled up to the front of the house and stopped the car, walking around to her side to let her out.

“Hey, thanks for having dinner with me,” he said, taking a step toward her. She thought for sure he was going to pull her into his arms for a kiss. And, honestly? She wasn’t sure she’d want to push him way.

But, instead, he held out his hand, a smirk on his face. “Good night, Mae.”

Now she was irritated, though she had no right to be. She gave his hand a quick shake. “Night, Kane.”

She stomped up the steps, knowing he stood there and watched her. When she got inside, she refused to look out to see if he drove away.

Kane August was the most annoying man she’d ever met.

Chapter

eight

“Okay, today, Mae,we’re going to be in the vineyard,” Alexis explained. “We’ve cleared the area, but as you know we only have the location for a brief time.”

Mae looked over to the edge of the vineyard, where Brenna and her father, Johnny, watched. Glared, really. She couldn’t blame them. The vineyard was their baby, and the idea of strangers trampling on the family livelihood had been a source of contention ever since the production company laid out the plan for filming. But they’d promised Brenna that the few scenes taking place in the vineyard would be short.

Mae was nervous on about twelve levels. For the scene today, which required touching. For the vineyard, which meant there’d be oversight from the Bellinis. The whole family was out there watching.

She hoped they could get through this in a hurry. She’d studied her lines, though they weren’t her lines, but she had to work through them for Kane so he could do his part.

After makeup and hair finished their touch-up, she was told where to stand. Kane was going to approach, but her jobwas just to stand there as if she were inspecting grapes, though she knew nothing of grapes or how to inspect them. Fortunately, Brenna had given her some quick instruction on what to do so she looked like an expert.

As was typical, her back would be to the camera so that Everly would fill in when she showed up. She shouldn’t be nervous because her face and voice would never be on camera. And this wasn’t her first time, so, dammit, Mae, relax already.

If only she could forget about that kiss.

“And, action.”

Immediately pushing everything else from her mind, she got into the head of the character, studying the vines as if they were the only things that mattered. When Kane stopped in front of her, she looked up in surprise, just as the script said she was supposed to do.

“What are you doing out here?”

“Looking for you.”

“Have you heard from Brian?”

“Not yet. I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

She tilted her head back to meet his gaze, remembering all the body cues. “Will he? Or has he changed his mind?”

Kane picked up her hand. “He loves you, Caroline. You know he’ll show up.”

“You didn’t. Not when I needed you.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry I said that. This isn’t about you.”

He ran his thumb over the top of her hand, making her shiver. “Maybe it is.”

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