Page 3 of Steamy on Set

“Hi, I’m Farrah Darby. I start today on Lot 6.” I step up to the security guard at the entrance. With a glance at a paper, he nods his head once, then the fence swings open, granting me entrance as he waves me forward.

Excitement bubbles in my stomach as I look around. Finally on the set of a movie where actual celebrities will be, I can’t help my giddiness. There is no telling who I might end up seeing. If I’m lucky, I’ll find a leading man to get under who will help me get over Christian.No, Farrah. You need to appear professional,I remind myself.

Mira barely briefed me on where to go on my first day, so I walk into the first building to a barrage of moving parts. People come and go past, paying me little mind as they cart items and clothes from place to place. I stop someone holding a handful of fabric, guessing they are my best bet at making it to where I need to go.

“Hi, excuse me, where can I find the wardrobe department?”

The roll of his eyes forces his head to tilt to the side as he steps around me while pointing to the left.

“Thanks,” I mutter as I head in that direction. Despite being of little help, his guidance brings me to a closed door. I walk in without a second thought, hoping this is where I need to go.

Standing in the center of the room, looking like the boss bitch she is, Mira fiddles with the measuring tape around her neck as she stares down at a notebook.

“Hey gorgeous,” I call out, drawing her attention. I beeline for her opening arms as I let the door slam behind me.

“Farrah!” she screams, dropping everything in her hands. We collide like the two forces of nature we are.

“Oh my god, I missed you.” She pulls back to take in my outfit.

I do the same to her, instantly approving of her black-and-white striped overalls over a gray turtleneck. The layered necklaces of golds and silvers match the heavy hanging earrings that tangle in her thick auburn hair. She did a bold lip to push some color into the otherwise monochrome look, making her creamy skin sing with a matching blush.

“Wow, you’re so brave.” She looks me up and down. “I don’t know if I could wear that if I had your body.”

I know she is referring to the tightness of the black dress, as the shape of my belly protrudes through the thin fabric. Being a big girl with lots of rolls, every tight outfit is a daring choice in the eyes of the skinny.

“Not all are as blessed as me.” I twist the insult into a compliment. “What’s brave is wearing those shoes, knowing you would see me today.” I point out the mismatch of the neon Crocs being paired with her look.

“Well, we’re going to be on our feet all day. Be sensible.”

“I’d rather be uncomfortable than be caught wearing those in public.” I smile to let her know it’s a joke, before I help her pick up the stuff she dropped.

“We have time before the staff meeting. Do you want a tour?”

She ushers me back through the door and out onto the set, while handing me my badge. We move across the space to head back outside, where she shows me the trailers where I can fetch the talent. She also takes me to the different spots where I can find her having a cigarette.

Once back inside, we move through different storage rooms, halls, and offices until we are near the room where I found her.

“Once we start filming, we’ll have craft everyday, but for now we have converted this room into a break area.”

Upon entering, I see a coffee machine and an electric kettle. There are different flavors of coffee off to the side of the microwave, so I instantly start looking for tea. The buzz of her walkie comes to life as her name rings out through the quiet room.

“Go for Mira.” She unclips it from her side.

“Hey Mira, can you meet me in Room 5?”

“On my way.” She turns to look at me as she puts it back. “I have to check on that, but feel free to grab something. We are all meeting at the opening floor in about ten minutes.”

“Okay thanks.”

With that, she leaves me behind, not closing the door on her way out.

Taking in my options, I pick up a packet of each lackluster choice of green tea and black.

“Five different types of coffee, and this is the best they can do for tea. Who decided this?” I ask while trying to talk myself into making a cup. The not so subtle clearing of a throat behind me snaps me out of my rant.

“Oh, uh, sorry, am I in the way?” The words fumble out of my mouth as I take in the gorgeous man in front of me. His onyx eyes lower to mine as a sardonic smile tilts his luscious lips.

“No. Just thought you should know other people can hear you.” The steely tone of his voice slices through all the warmness his appearance brings on, making me feel cold.

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