Page 15 of Wrapped in You

"I always remember someone's drink. Chardonnay for sweet Sophie," he said. "Go on! Sit down and stay a while."

Sophie thanked him and turned around with her wine. The cast and crew had filled the bar. Natalie waved her over, and Sophie sat with her and Brent for a while. They were fascinated with each other, falling in love just as the script had said they would. Sophie wanted to ask them if they frequently fell in love with other actors in their productions, but she didn't want to take them out of the moment.

Maybe they were "method acting,"she thought.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Derek Brownlee walked through, his boots cracking against the hardwood. His assistant, Cara, came in after him, offering Sophie a discreet smile.

Sophie wondered if Cara and Derek were an item. Did girlfriends or boyfriends frequently act as assistants for their more successful partners?

If she's his girlfriend, I hope he treats her well.

But Sophie had a hunch that Derek couldn't treat anyone well. Not in the dark mood he was in.

Derek caught Sophie's eye for a split second. His expression was sinister.

The Thirsty Bucket continued to play Christmas songs. "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" piped through the speakers.

You can't defeat Christmas in Willow Creek, she thought.It has a mind of its own.

Derek grabbed a beer, and Cara opted for a glass of white wine. They sat at a corner table and pored over a notebook Cara pulled from her bag. Sophie guessed they were making plans for the upcoming days of filming.

"Did you see him earlier?" Brent muttered to Natalie. It was as though Brent had forgotten Sophie was there.

"You mean, when we were doing the first kiss scene?" Natalie's eyes were lit up.

Brent nodded. "It was like he couldn't look at us. He had us kiss, what, three times?"

"Only three times!" Natalie agreed.

"It's strange," Brent said. "He redid that scene of me brushing my hair like twenty-three times."

"And he had me run up and down Main Street thirty-five times!" Natalie remembered. "Over and over again, he said, 'It's not right. Let's do it again!'"

"But a kiss? Arguably one of the most important scenes in the entire film? He only wants that three times?" Brent shook his head. "It doesn't make sense. I think only one of the takes was okay."

"It's weird. It's like something is eating at him," Natalie said. "Like he doesn't want to see us kiss. Isn't he a fully grown adult? Isn't he a professional?" She used air quotes around the word "professional."

"Did you know him back in LA?" Brent asked.

"I auditioned for a film of his a few years ago," Natalie remembered. "He was still up-and-coming, but everyone was really excited about his vision."

"What was the film?"

"It was never made," Natalie said.

"Huh." Brent leaned back and crossed his arms.

"It happens all the time," Natalie stated with a wave of her hand.

"Not to people like Derek Brownlee," Brent said.

Sophie burned with curiosity. She sipped her wine and watched Derek and Cara out of the corner of her eye, wondering what this guy's deal was.

Her heart churned with adrenaline. She hated how attractive she found him. It felt as though he had a quiet power over everything simply because his jawline was perfect.

She resolved not to let him keep that power over her. She resolved to remember his anger and his volatility above everything.

Suddenly, Beck, Isaac, and Mike were surrounding her, peppering her with questions about the next bar to go to after this. Sophie cackled. "Boys, we're in a small town," she said. "The Thirsty Bucket is about all you're going to get."

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