Page 42 of One Life to Loathe

“We were just talking about the tight turnaround from last night,” Miles replied. If he was bothered by Leo’s dark countenance, he didn’t show it. “I told Sam that I’m going to try to be better about scheduling night shoots. We got everything we needed for the first and second episodes last night, though. I’ll look at the schedule for the third and fourth episodes so we can try to make sure you guys get more sleep.”

“Awesome.” Leo flashed an obnoxious thumbs-up. Then he took his drink from Levi and downed half of it.

“It’s a bit early for that, isn’t it?” I prodded without thinking. It was none of my business if he wanted to drink in the middle of the afternoon. I wasn’t his mother, and he’d been on time and on mark for the entire shoot so far.

“Well,Mom, I thought a cocktail might help me take a nap,” he replied. “I’m exhausted, but my mind won’t shut off. My internal clock is all over the place.”

I was right there with him. That didn’t mean I liked his tone. “Well … have fun.”

He narrowed his eyes as he looked between Miles and me. “You two look chummy.”

I didn’t know what to make of that. “We’re just talking about the shoot.”

“Yes, I’m thrilled with the two of you,” Miles said. “Your chemistry is off the charts. I wasn’t certain after that first day—it took you guys a bit to get into it—but ever since, you’ve been amazing.”

We’d also been poking each other between takes that entire time. Our determination to be friends had melted like an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. We weren’t even making an attempt to be decent to one another between takes now. What Miles was misinterpreting as chemistry was actually loathing.

I loathed Leo. I hated his stupid face. I hated that his eyes lit up when he offered up a genuine smile—which hadn’t happened in days at this point. I hated that he made fun of the costumes. I hated that he was always looking at me … and silently judging. I hated everything about him and I knew he felt the same way about me. There were times I caught him staring at me and imagined he was wondering if he could pop off my head like a dandelion.

The whole thing was a nightmare.

“I’m glad you’re happy,” Leo said, mimicking my words from only minutes earlier. His gaze moved to me. “I don’t care if you’re happy,” he said out of nowhere.

“Right back at you,” I replied sweetly.

Miles was too interested in looking at the call sheets for the rest of the week to realize we were glaring at one another. A silent conversation was happening between Leo and me that only we could hear.

I think you’re full of yourself,I sent his way.

I think you’re untalented and wasting time because you keep screwing up your lines, he fired back.

Maybe if you could stop smoldering for five freaking seconds, you donkey, I would be able to remember my lines.

I think that’s a you problem. It’s not my fault I’m so hot.

We continued to glare. The only thing that stopped us was Miles slowly getting to his feet.

“I’m going to rework some call times for later in the week,” he announced. He was all smiles when he looked up. “You guys should get some sleep. I can’t have my immortal vampire and the hottest witch on the East Coast walking around with bags under their eyes.”

“We’ll get right on that,” Leo said dryly. He continued to glare at me even after Miles was gone.

Because I didn’t want to lose—although there was no prize for winning—I glared right back.

We sat that way, about fifteen feet apart, and glared for what felt like a really long time. We were the only two in the bar—it was too early in the afternoon for happy hour—and the only movement came when we sipped our drinks.

That’s where Daisy found us a good ten minutes later. “What’s this?” she asked as she glanced between us.

“What?” I jolted out of my reverie, which had included imagining knocking Leo out, tying him to a rock, and throwing him off a cliff. Of course, I tried not to think too hard on the things I’d done to him in the minutes before I’d tied him to the rock. He’d been naked…and there might’ve been some chocolate sauce.

Seriously, just what in the hell was wrong with me?

“Never mind.” Daisy looked more amused than bothered as she sat at the table with me. Her eyes moved to Leo, who was fishing cash out of his wallet to leave for a tip. “Something I said?” she asked as he started for the door.

“I’m taking a nap,” Leo replied. “Your little friend there kept flubbing her line delivery last night so we were out two hours later than was necessary.”

I wanted to die as I sank lower in my seat. He was an ass of the highest order. He was also correct.

“Okay, then.” Daisy didn’t look bothered in the least by Leo’s glare. “Have a nice nap, little one. You clearly need it.”

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