Page 13 of Lost Lyrics

I would’ve gladly taken her place, but no such luck.“I think everyone was envious.”

Peyton’s scene with Austin had been steamy and a load of laughs. With our show focusing on the disastrous, often funny, dating and working lives of our three career-oriented characters, we always had fun when popular actors made cameos.

Peyton swept her hand over Mia’s hair and tugged on a long strand. “Babe, I like it when you get crazy jealous. I can’t help it if the studio casts hot guests to play my next dating nightmare. He was funny and nice...and an awesome kisser.”

Mia rocked back in her chair and shot a fiery look at Peyton. “Okay. Don’t push it.”

“I won’t.” Peyton winked and blew Mia a kiss. “Love you.”

Farrah grabbed a makeup cape, draped it over the front of me, and fastened it behind my neck. “I could give you a recap of their make-up sex if you wish.”

“Ah, no thanks.” I slumped in my seat and swung to face the mirror. “I don’t need details.”

“Hey?” Mia reached over and rubbed my arm. “Are you okay?”

“Um...yeah. I’m fine.” I wriggled in my chair, struggling to get comfortable. I tugged and pulled at the neckline of my cape. It didn’t loosen.Okay, just strangle me.“I just hate being late. Flint was off this morning. He has been for a few days. Something is bothering him, and he hasn’t told me what it is yet.” The tension in my brow hadn’t eased all morning.

“Trouble in paradise?” Peyton raised a concerned eyebrow.

“No. God no. We’re good.”But are we?

The past few months, awards season had kept us busy, attending events for my show and for his band. Now it was over, he moped around the house. He cleaned. Gardened. Cooked. Watched endless hours of TV. He missed hanging out with the guys, playing music, and not having Slip nearby. He hated the uncertainty of The Flintlocks’ future. I didn’t want him to fall back into the depths of depression, hit the bottle, and laze around our home all day. He needed a new interest. A project to work on. Something to look forward to.

And I had a plan to give him that.

There was only one thing that would make our lifebetter...marriage. We’d talked about it. He’d reassured me it was in our future. When the timing was right, he’d ask. For now, he just wanted to enjoy being together. But I had a deadline. I wanted a ring. To be his wife. If he hadn’t asked me by our third anniversary in June, I’d pop the question. Our wedding would give him something to focus on.

But the niggle in the back of my mind raised its ugly head.

What if he said no?

What would I do?

What if he still wanted to be with me and just wasn’t ready to tie the knot? Would I be okay with that? If he said ‘No, I don’t see my forever with you anymore,’ I’d be crushed. Inconsolable. Totally devastated. I was so in love with him, I didn’t want to...no, couldn’t... think about a life without him.

Crap.I couldn’t worry about proposing. I had a busy day filming ahead.

“Men are so much moodier than women.” Mia threw me a you-can-have-them smirk. “I don’t know how you put up with them. But I’m sure Flint is fine.”

“I’m sure he is,” I said, to reassure myself more than anyone else. But Mia shouldn’t talk. She had more mood swings than Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I loved her and Peyton. We’d become great friends. But damn, I missed Maddy. She’d been away, working in Vancouver, for years. Now she was on a break, spending time with Slip. I missed her coming home on weekends and catching up. That gave me more time with Flint, though. And I’d never complain about that. “I’ll take Flint out to dinner this weekend and get to the bottom of it.”

“You always do.” Peyton clutched and rubbed my shoulder. “But it’s time for you to get ready. Are you looking forward to your scenes with Ethan today? Roll out more of that sexy tension, you two do so well.”

“Absolutely.” My head bobbed as Farrah rippedher brush through the long strands. My character, Sienna, had a crush on her boss, Braxton. Ethan fit the role well. He played clueless perfectly. Fans adored him. He was handsome, tall, and had a Ryan Reynolds vibe about him. But...he was no Flint. “We’re filming the scene where I rush back to the office to work with him on an urgent client presentation first, then we’re doing the dinner function I bail on, right?” Many scenes weren’t filmed in order. Today was no different.

“Yep.” Mia grabbed her script off the counter and flicked through the pages. “We couldn’t make it through the table read on Monday without falling into fits of laughter.”

“I know.” Giggling, I glanced sideways at the girls. “Ethan makes it impossible to keep a straight face when he’s trying to be serious. He does this little lip twitch and eyebrow-archy thing.” I did my best to impersonate his look, and the ladies burst out laughing. “See? It’s so hard to stay in character.”

“Nah. You nail every scene.” Peyton giggled. “We need you two to keep that boss crush going on forever if it keeps our ratings skyrocketing.”

“I’ll do my best.” God, I loved my job. After nearly being destroyed financially by my father three years ago, and after struggling to find a new role when my previous show ended, I was back on top. I was in my element, being on a popular TV show about empowered, professional women. It continually challenged me and taught me new things, in front of and behind the camera. I was no longer stuck in a dead series or typecast as a high school sweetheart. Dating Flint had renewed and revamped my career, and I had revitalized his. Damn, we were good for each other.

“Sutt, we’ll go grab a coffee. You want one?” Mia eased herself from Peyton’s clutches, stood, and straightened her suit jacket.

“No, thanks. I had three at home.” Was that why I was onedge? Too much caffeine?Maybe I haven’t had enough? Three cups isn’t overdoing it. Is it?

“Okay. We’ll see you soon.” Mia took Peyton by the hand, led her out the door, and closed it behind them.

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