Page 9 of The Backup Bride Proposal

They got up and left the restaurant, climbing into her car to head back.

“When do you start shooting?” she asked as they pulled down the long drive.

“Hopefully soon. We’re waiting on Everly to show up.”

She parked the car at the front of the security gate. “Who’s Everly?”

“You really don’t go to movies, do you?”

“Not a lot, no.”

“Everly Sloane. She’s the female lead in the movie.”

“Oh. When’s she due?”

“Tomorrow. So we should start costume and makeup prep, then be in rehearsals within a few days.”

“Wow. Great.”

His phone buzzed, so he pulled it out of his pocket, read the text message and frowned.

“Something wrong?” she asked.

“Yeah. Can you follow me into Alexis’s office?”

“Sure.”

She walked beside him, trying not to notice the way he walked, the way he looked or the incredible way he smelled.

Get it together, Mae. This guy is going to be around for a while and he is not going to be a plaything for you. You play and drop, and guys don’t tend to linger in your orbit.

Excellent advice. She’d be sure to follow it.

They headed into Alexis’s office. She was pacing thelength of the trailer, her cell in one hand, her other hand raking through the spikes of her silver hair.

“Might I remind you that Everly has a contract, Davis.” She listened, tension evident in the way her shoulders tightened. “She’s due on set tomorrow and her timeline for the other movie isn’t my problem.”

Figuring that she hadn’t been invited to hear this, Mae tried to make herself as small as possible, hovering near the door. Meanwhile, Kane made himself comfortable on the sofa at the other end of the trailer.

“How long is it going to take for her to complete the movie?” Alexis asked, her pacing intensifying as she listened. Then she stopped dead. “Are you serious? Davis, you’d better have them step it up or we’ll be looking for another lead for this movie.” She clicked off and tossed her phone on her desk. “Dammit.”

“So,” Kane said. “Everly’s delayed, huh?”

“Understatement. Her agent said three to four weeks until they wrap on her current film.”

“Damn. So what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know. I need to have a conversation with the lawyers and see if we have an out clause with Everly’s contract.”

“And if we do, how are we going to book someone last minute? We’re already set up here. Hell, I know almost all my lines.”

“That’s a shocker.”

He frowned. “Hey. I’m always prepared.”

She laughed. “Yeah, you are. And, hey, don’t worry. We’ll get something worked out. In fact, just hang around for a bit while I call Virginia.”

“Virginia’s the lawyer,” Kane said as he looked over at Mae.

---