Page 53 of Wrapped in You

But what if he was just upset about Jeremy?

Maybe she would never know.

"Sophie?" Randy's voice found her in the midst of the chaos.

Sophie jump-started back to the catering table to serve the cast and crew, who were on a sudden and uncertain break now that Brent was on the ground and not getting back up. Natalie could be heard crying over everything else. Sophie busied herself with coffee and crepes and tried to shove the image of Derek's dark eyes from her mind.

As she brewed another big pot of coffee, she found Randy's eyes. His smile was ever-present. He genuinely loved this work.

"I think we should go for it!" Sophie heard herself cry spontaneously. "Let's expand the company as much as we can."

Randy's eyes were illuminated. "Really?"

"What do we have to lose?" Sophie called. "Maybe I was always thinking too small. Maybe Culinary Tastings should expand throughout the entire state! Maybe we'll have an empire!"

Randy raised his hands. "Let's do it, boss!"

They high-fived. Sophie allowed herself a momentary spike of joy and tried her hardest not to look over at Derek's trailer as she worked and worked.

She knew for sure that whatever he was saying in there had nothing to do with her.

It probably never would again.

Chapter Sixteen

Brent was taken to the hospital shortly thereafter. Although it was against the law, Natalie rode with him in the ambulance, clutching his hand and telling the ambulance driver to "step on it."

The drama on set was unparalleled. Everyone was worried about Brent—and their careers.

Sophie heard a few people mention they hadn't received paychecks yet for their previous weeks of work.

"Doesn't it feel likeSilver Bellsis cursed?" a passing extra asked another.

Sophie and Randy shrugged and turned off the grills and mini-ovens they'd set up that morning. It was time to call it a day.

"I heard her tell them she's his wife," Mike said as they packed up. "She's a better actress than I originally gave her credit for. Maybe this thing will win an Oscar!"

"If Brent ever gets out of the hospital," Beck said darkly.

"I think it's just a minor sprain," Isaac said. "He basically pulled himself onto the gurney. I saw him."

"You really think he's faking it?" Mike asked.

"He's an actor," Isaac offered. "Their entire life is 'faking it.' Maybe he got confused about what's real and what's not."

The sound guys laughed and slung gear over their shoulders.

Sophie listened as she cleaned the catering table and considered what to do next with her day. It was only ten in the morning. Maybe she and Randy could spend the afternoon advertising Culinary Tastings to the far reaches of New York State. Maybe they could make posters, experiment with recipes, and create a five-year plan. That was what businesses did, didn't they? They set goals. They drove forward.

Time to forget about your silly crush on the Hollywood director.

"You coming out to lunch with us?" Mike called to Sophie. "We're going to the coffee shop for sandwiches. Their pastrami is to die for."

Sophie had had their pastrami sandwich many times, but she was pleased the film crew had discovered it for themselves. They were falling in love with Willow Creek without her guidance.

"I'll come out," she agreed, then turned back to Randy. "Let's meet at headquarters at two thirty to discuss everything?"

"Great," Randy said. "That gives me enough time. Fiona just called and said the real estate agent wants to show us a house! ASAP! Like, I'm heading there right now!"