Page 29 of Wrapped in You

"I can't get enough of your cooking, Soph," he said. His Australian accent was especially pronounced.

"We're going to gain fifteen pounds by the time this shoot is over," Beck agreed.

Sophie laughed. "What scene are you filming today?"

"It's about three-quarters of the way through the film," Isaac explained. "Natalie's and Brent's characters misunderstand each other and decide to take some time apart."

"But neither of them wants that, I guess," Sophie said, smiling as she remembered the typical beats of a romance story.

"Of course not!" Mike said with a laugh. "It's the last thing they want. They're falling in love!"

Suddenly, Derek was at the catering table. Mike, Isaac, and Beck gaped at him with surprise as Derek assessed the platters of hot pancakes and the steaming coffee. Just as ever, he wore all black, and his curly hair puffed out of his black hat.

His eyes were tender, Sophie realized.

It was almost as though he'd been up all night crying.

But that was impossible. Derek's heart was as hard as stone. Wasn't it?

Derek rubbed the back of his neck. Mike, Beck, and Isaac left Sophie alone, hurrying off to set up their equipment. Mike stuffed the second half of another pancake into his mouth.

"The pancakes look good," Derek said as he took a cup of coffee.

Was this his version of an apology?

Sophie was jittery. She watched as Derek's eyes scanned the rest of the snacks she'd set out, plus the Christmas decor that grew more extravagant as filming progressed. She just couldn't help herself. Usually, if she stopped at the grocery store or the hardware store, she picked up another package of tinsel, another string of lights. She wanted theSilver Bellsset to feel cozy and homelike.

Keep your guard up, Sophie, she told herself.

"Can I make you a plate?" Sophie asked finally.

Derek raised his eyebrows and placed his hand on his stomach. She half expected him to explain his strict diet. It seemed to be a hobby for Californians—

creating a strict diet for themselves and making themselves miserable as a result.

Instead, Derek surprised her. "That sounds good."

Sophie put two of the best-looking fluffy pancakes on a plate and drizzled them with syrup. She could feel Derek's eyes on her. What was he thinking? Wasn't he angry that she'd stormed up to him during filming? I was just the caterer. It wasn't my place.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Sophie froze. She imagined all kinds of insults jumping out of him now. Maybe he'd ask: Why are you so rude? Why are you so entitled? What makes you think you know anything about scriptwriting?

Instead, he asked, "How do you get the pancakes so fluffy?"

Sophie was so surprised that she nearly dropped the plate. She smiled and passed it over to him. "My dad and I worked for weeks on the recipe last year," she explained. "It's a secret family recipe."

Derek's smile was so handsome and pure that it nearly made Sophie forget what a monster he was. Nearly. He cut the pancake with his fork and took a bite, closing his eyes as he chewed.

"I know people in LA who would go insane for these pancakes," he said. "You could open a breakfast restaurant and charge thirty dollars for a short stack."

Sophie snorted. "Thirty dollars should get you thirty pancakes."

"Not in LA," he said.

Sophie raised her shoulders. "I can't compromise on my morals like that. Not where pancakes are concerned."

Derek laughed openly. "You wouldn't make it a day in LA." His eyes dropped. "I used to feel the same way about myself."

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