Page 61 of He's The Reason Why

Piper took the card that detailed the kiss off the board and studied it. “If I were her, I wouldn’t touch him untilafterthe second bar scene. Right here she’s too frustrated.”

He flicked his gaze to the ceiling, hoping to find patience there. “Right. It’s called sexual tension. She’s giving in to it.”

Piper snorted. “I don’t think so.”

His fingers twitched against the desk. He’d been working on this screenplay for ten years, and she’d scanned it for five minutes. Her critique of one of the crucial moments of the film made him want to throw something. “It’s my story and I say she gives in to desire here.”

Her lips twitched with unspoken words. Finally, she shrugged and waved the card at him. “Okay. Fine. It’s your story.”

Her tone meant the exact opposite.

His jaw clenched. “Yes. It is.”

He snatched the card out of her hand and pinned it back on the board where it belonged.

Piper watched him carefully, like she thought he was having have aBeautiful Mindmoment.

“What?” he demanded.

She blinked. “Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing.” He pointed at her. “What’s in that head of yours? You look like you’re having an entire conversation in there without me.”

She glanced at the board. “I’m serious. It’s your story.”

“But…,” he prompted.

She tilted her head to the side as if she were trying to see the story from a different angle. “All I’m saying is no woman will relate to that kiss happening right there. They’ll think the woman is an idiot and the guy is a jerk. I just thought you were writing something different, that’s all.”

“He’s not a jerk.” He rubbed his forehead. This discussion, or the late night, or both, was giving him a headache. “That’s the whole point. He’s reformed, and he’s falling in love with the neighborhood girl next door. It’s a great moment.”

“You keep saying that, but a girl next door doesn’t want to kiss a guy who just told her how he was only pretending to save something she really cares about. She’d think he was just using her along with the rest of the town, and shelovesthis town. She can’t trust him. Not here. And a good girl doesn’t kiss a guy she doesn’t trust, don’t care how good he looks in a suit.”

He crossed his arms. “Where would you put it?”

She shifted a few feet and pointed at a card. “Here. After the first part of the sting has gone down and everyone’s flying high, but before things start to fall apart. If I were her, that’s where I’d kiss him. Hell, if I was going to give in to sexual tension at that point I’d really give in. A mere kiss wouldn’t do it for me. I’d want more.”

That got his attention. He could picture the scene so clearly, it was like they were there. Piper wore jeans and blue country-girl shirt and boots. He looked slick, like he’d just stepped out of the high roller room at the Bellagio. They were in the bar, he had her pressed into the corner with one hand on the wall, leaning into her…

He shook himself. He was losing his damn mind. “Oh really?”

She glanced at him. “Yes. Well, you know, if I were her.”

He considered that. If he shifted the kiss and expanded on it, it would be a stronger move into the third act. She had a point. He put the character card back on the board and lifted the kiss off. “Maybe.”

Piper glanced at her phone. “We should go. We’re going to be late.”

“Right behind you.” He pinned the kiss onto the section she’d indicated, then sent a quick text to Marshall before he followed Piper out the door.

Ranch is gone. Call later to brainstorm Plan F.

Everyone else was already in the studio by the time they got there, although nobody looked anywhere near ready to get started. Gina and Jeremy were deep in conversation, while Rachel had cornered Tamar and was gesturing toward the microphone with an earnest expression.

“I should be closer to the center of the room, especially if we’re going to run through the songs,” Rachel explained with an earnest expression.

“I’m not sure we’re doing songs today. Let’s focus on the castle scene, shall we?” Tamar glanced at them with a relieved expression. “Good morning, sleepyheads.”

Piper stifled a yawn. “Good morning. Is there coffee?”

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