Page 41 of The Grumpy Actor

“Did something happen to your shirt?” she asks as she puts the coffee on the table.

Her hawk-like gaze settles on the half-buttoned shirt I’m wearing.

Of course she’d noticed I changed even if it was practically the same color shirt. Sophie is just that observant.

“One of the assistants spilled coffee on it, so I had to change.”

Sophie nods.

I pick up the coffee and raise it to my lips, but then I pause. “Do I need to make you taste it?”

She rolls her eyes. “I have no need to add salt to your coffee anymore, Liam.”

“I knew you added it intentionally,” I say.

“I thought that was pretty obvious. Trust me, if you were in my shoes, you’d have done the same thing.”

“Touché.”

I take a sip of the coffee and smile blissfully.

“Is that coffee?” Celeste asks.

The question irks me, but Sophie’s warning glance stops me from making a sharp retort.

“Yes, it’s coffee,” I say with faux gentleness.

Celeste ignores my sarcasm and turns a glare on Sophie. “Why didn’t you get one for me? You did see two actors here, didn’t you? Go get me mine.”

“Excuse me,” I snap. “Last I checked, Sophie isn’t your servant. If you want coffee, you either get one yourself or send your own assistant.”

I catch Sophie fighting back a smile from the corner of my eyes. Celeste doesn’t appreciate this as she glares furiously at me.

“I need to get tomorrow’s shooting schedule from Ben,” Sophie says, and leans close to my ear. “Don’t get in a fight with another woman before I get back.”

Her warning might be playful, but even I know not to make the mistake of actually engaging in an argument with Celeste.

Frankly, I couldn’t care less about Celeste or what she does. I just won’t let anyone disrespect my woman.

“Alright.” I nod.

I watch her retreating figure with a smile on my face.

“I get that you’re trying to be nice and all now, but you’d better be careful of how you treat Sophie, or people might think you two are dating,” Celeste says curtly.

“And they wouldn’t be wrong,” I reply sharply before returning my focus to the script in my hand.

I ignore everything about Celeste, so I don’t even know what her reaction is to the bombshell I just dropped. All my focus is on finishing the day’s shoot and going on that date with Sophie.

***

I readjust my hair for the umpteenth time, even though my reflection in the silverware on the table has already made it clear that it’s in good shape.

It’s odd that I’m so nervous about my date with Sophie when it’s not our first time doing this. It’s like I’m now conscious of every move I make and overly cautious about not doing anything to ruin the mood.

Everything for this dinner date must be perfect.

I rented out the restaurant attached to the resort for maximum privacy and had it adorned with Sophie’s favorite flower, daisies. The lighting is in just the right shade to give an illusion of intimacy.

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