Page 33 of Steamy on Set

“We should call it a night.” His long fingers skim the paper as he looks at where we left off.

I curl my own into my palm, quenching the urge to reach for him.

Lost in whatever thought caught his attention, he is quiet as he walks me to the door. As I get my shoes on, I wait to see if hewill speak his mind. Watching him run a hand through his hair, shaking himself free, I conclude he doesn’t plan on sharing.

“An agent who’s my friend is going to reach out to you. They’re willing to do the negotiations for your salary,” he says as he rubs the stubble on his face.

“We have a meeting with the studio tomorrow, but I want you to take the time to learn the script. On Saturday we’re going to a party to introduce you to some of the producers.”

My cheeks sting as reality slaps me. This is actually happening. I’m not going back to the costume department tomorrow. My eyes widen enough that he notices the shift in my mood. His hand falls on my shoulder as he turns me to face him fully.

“You got this,” he says, his thumb rubbing circles on my collarbone. The tingle of his touch shoots into my muscles, tightening them further. The little contact between us has electrified me. I step out of his reach, hoping my heart will return to it’s normal rhythm again.

“Thanks.” Opening the door, I step out under the nighttime sky, I wave once on my way to my car.

Watching me go, he doesn’t move back inside until I start to drive away.

My heartbeat doesn’t slow down until I make it home.

Chapter 13

Meetingthestudioexecutivescements for me that this is my life now. No longer just a stylist working a job on a movie set, I’m now an actress, who people are relying on to perform. What have I done?

Alongside learning lines, I spend time with Errol. Our combative personalities cause us to chafe at some points, but we are both trying so hard that it doesn’t ever result in any of our typical fights.

Determined to work with me one-on-one, he’s had me running lines with him for the past three days since our meetup.

Today I have to meet with him again, after visiting Mira to go over the changes in the clothes. This will be the first time we’reseeing each other since that night at the restaurant. I don’t know if Errol has spoken with her, but this is finally my chance.

Never one to back down from a fight, I’m ready for this confrontation. I strut into the room, my hands already finding a home on my waist.

“Mira.”

She swivels in her chair to face me, her eyes slowly trailing up to meet mine. The frown pulling at her lips forces her cheeks to sag.

“Well, haven’t the tables turned? Usually you’re doing the fittings, and now you’re the one getting fitted.” The bitter tone of her voice matches her scowl.

“Is that all you have to say to me?”

“Were you expecting a congratulations?” Getting up, she points for me to move to the middle of the room and grabs her measuring tape.

“No, I was expecting you to say sorry, actually.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” She turns away from me, crossing her arms.

“So you don’t remember telling Errol that I called for the lingerie to be changed? Or that I made clothes that you worked on? You don’t know about any of that?” I’m trying not to ruin my makeup, but the urge to wipe away the frustration on my face has me clenching my hands.

“We don’t have time for this. I need to get your measurements.”

So this is how she wants to play it. No way am I letting her ignore everything that’s happened.

“Oh, we can make time for this. You need to own up to your actions.” I move in front of her, forcing her to look at me.

“I don’t know what you want me to say, Farrah.”

“I want you to say sorry, or at least explain why you did it.” Every moment of our seven-year long friendship is playing in my mind, trying to pull focus from my anger.

“No.” She looks into my eyes, an unjust defiance shining in her own.

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