Page 71 of He's The Reason Why

“If you’re having trouble with road crews or costume design or catering, I know people. Feeding movie people can’t be that different from feeding roadies.”

She almost had him, she could tell by the way he hesitated. Or maybe he was just figuring out a polite way to turn her down.

When he didn’t answer right away, she pressed on. “Come on. Don’t make me go back to my house alone. My calendar is clear so I have nothing to do but sit around and think about family drama and I’m sonotin the mood. You’d be saving me from myself.”

He appeared to be considering it until his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and swore under his breath.

“What?” She tried to peek at it, but it was too far away.

“Marshall.” He sighed and looked up at her. “You’re serious? This isn’t just a polite offer I’m supposed to turn down?”

“You think Southern people offer to help thinking you’ll say no?”

“I don’t know about Southern people, but in this town that’s pretty much the norm.” His phone buzzed again. “I have to jump on this. Marshall’s trying to make a deal on a ghost town.”

“You know, from anyone else that would sound crazy, but from you…” She pushed off from the side of the car. “I’ll follow you back to your place and we can talk about how I can take some of the crap off your hands. I’m handy with the phone, the internet, and talking people into doing things.”

He looked amused. “I see that.”

Piper climbed into her SUV, then gave him a pointed look. He laughed and took off toward his car, which today turned out to be something sleek, silver, and futuristic instead of the Prius he’d driven earlier, with a logo she didn’t recognize. When they reached the freeway, he accelerated so fast she had no hope of keeping up.

She imagined him laughing all the way to his house, that rich, rolling sound that tickled her insides and made her want to laugh with him.

Chapter Twelve

Blake watched his rear-view mirror all the way home, but there was no sign of Piper behind him. He’d sped off too fast. Her offer to help had been sweet, kind, and thoughtful, but it had sent his head scuttling in the wrong directions.

It was hard enough being in the studio with her, but at least there were other people there as a buffer to keep things professional. At home, with nobody around, not even Marshall…all he could think about was giving her a tour of the house that ended in his bedroom.

No, dammit, just no.

He had a deal with Marshall, and he didnotwant to work with Rachel ever again. Besides, it was always,alwaysa mistake to mix it up with a costar. When it fell apart, as it always did, there were hurt feelings and scandals, and they couldn’t afford that kind of publicity on a children’s animated feature.

His stern lecture to himself didn’t really stop him from thinking about how amazing she’d looked today as she sank into the part of Princess Jewel. Her eyes lit up, her cheeks flushed, andher tangible joy had transported him. He couldn’t fault anyone for liking the way the scene had turned out.

He managed to park and race from the garage to the front door in time to be leaning against the doorframe looking cocky when she pulled into the driveway.

He didn’t know why, but something about her brought out the playful in him.

She met him at the door shaking her head. “Feel like a race car driver now?”

He checked his imaginary watch. “My all-electric, environmentally green machine just kicked your gas-guzzling ass by five minutes. Yes I do.”

“Five whole minutes. Wow. Sooo speedy.”

“Hey, for LA traffic that might as well be five hours.” He stood back to let her inside. “So let’s talk about how you’re going to save me from my very busy schedule.”

She swept past him then turned to taunt him with a playful smile and a swing of her hips. “Not sure I can save you, but I can at least help out a little. Let’s go check out that ridiculous murder board of yours and see where I can pitch in, and can we order takeout? I’m starving.”

She strode down his hallway like a rock star on stage, humming their first duet as she went. Damn, she sounded good, and she looked like she belonged here.

“I have to confess something.”

Piper stopped in the middle of the door to his office. “You’ve never, ever cleaned this room? I know. I can tell.”

She picked up a couple of notes that had fallen off the whiteboard on her way in.

“That’s probably true. My housekeeper refuses to step foot in here but no, that’s not it.” He took the notes from her and put them on the desk. “I never went to a Bellamy Sisters concert.”

---