Page 62 of He's The Reason Why

Tamar peered at both of them. “I’m not sure we have enough to fix the tired look in your eyes, but yes. Hurry, please. Time to get started.”

Piper left to find the promised vat of caffeine while Blake took the opportunity to answer the sixteen texts he’d received duringthe drive in. Marissa had sent four possible new spots to replace the ranch, the caterer sent a link for a possible menu and a question about the ranch kitchen, which reminded him to pass along news of the fire to everyone from the caterer to the costume designer, which earned him instant responses that were both long-winded and unhelpful.

“Good morning,” Rachel said in a voice way too sexy for this hour of the morning.

“Morning, Rach.” Blake kept his voice brisk in the hopes she’d take the hint and move on.

“You look strung out. What’s wrong?” Rachel put a soft hand on his arm. “Anything I can do to help?”

He started to say something snarky about her having a spare ranch in her back pocket but thought better of it. For one, he didn’t need the fact that they’d just lost their key location getting around, and for another, the day hadn’t even started and the last thing any of them needed was Rachel in a bad mood.

He did his best to smooth his expression into a semblance of happy politeness. “Thanks, but it’s all good. Just stayed up too late, that’s all.”

“Oh.” Rachel glanced at the other side of the room where Piper had just joined Gina and Jeremy. “She looks exhausted too, poor thing.”

He could see Rachel putting two and two together and coming up with sixteen. Her lips tightened.

“She rehearsed all night. You know how it is.”

“She does seem to be struggling.” Rachel stared at Piper as she pulled a phone out of her purse and held it up in the classic selfie pose. “She’s not streaming this, is she? I mean, these sets are closed. Right?”

“She has permission for quick interviews of the cast if they agree. Paul thought it would be great for publicity,” Blake explained.

“Good morning, everybody!” Piper smiled at the camera and waved. She looked delighted and a lot more awake than she’d been a few seconds ago. “I’m in the studio today forScorched, and look who I’m with! Gina Paige and Jeremy Graham!” Piper pointed the camera at Gina.

“Good morning, everyone,” Gina said in her dragon voice with an elegant wave.

Jeremy shuffled over to get in on the action. “Greetings, fellow travelers. Welcome to where we make the magic happen. Literally, in this case.”

“If you can get through one whole take without hamming it up that will be magical,” Gina said in her normal voice. She gave Jeremy a fond pat on the arm.

“Gina, dahling, I’m hurt.” Jeremy put a hand to his chest like he’d been shot.

Piper giggled, and that flash of dimple appeared.

He lost the thread of Rachel’s conversation.

Get a grip, he told himself.You made a deal with Marshall that you do not want to lose. Besides, she hasn’t exactly acted like she’s interested in you that way. She’s not Hollywood. She’s focused on getting her lines right, not on getting busy with a costar. She’s off-limits.

“I can’t believe I get to work with the pair of you.” Piper’s admiration was so genuine he could see why she had so many followers. Her interactions with fans were authentic. “I can’t tell you how much of a thrill this is for me, and how amazing I think this movie is because you’re in it. Wait until you see the dragon fight with Malignon, you guys. You’re going to love it.”

Rachel muttered something he didn’t quite catch and squeezed his arm.

He tore his gaze away from Piper. “What do you need, Rachel?”

From the look in her eyes, what she needed was a bat and aminute alone with Piper. But she cleared the hostility off her face and replaced it with the charming smile that had earned her so many parts. “I’ve been meaning to ask if you’ve read the script forShe’s All Mine.”

He glanced at Piper. She appeared to be posting the video she’d just made. “Yeah. I skimmed it.”

Rachel shifted until she stood in between him and the giggling trio. “They’ve asked me to play the girlfriend, but I’m not sure I should. I could use your take on it.”

“Sure.” His smile felt stiff, but it was the best he could do. He was tired, stressed, and distracted. “I’ll talk it over with Marshall and get back to you.”

“Thanks, sweetie,” Rachel cooed.

Tamar hustled back into the room and clapped her hands twice. “Places, please. Let today be better than yesterday and worse than tomorrow.”

Blake gave Rachel an apologetic smile, and they both crossed to their designated microphones.

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