Page 16 of Cinematic Destinies
“Nonsense,” he insisted, stepping down. “I’ll jump on the elliptical.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “Ástríður wasn’t kidding when she said the gym was small. It’s a shoebox.”
“Indeed. But perhaps there’s something to be said about only having what you really need. Getting back to the basics.”
“Yeah. It’s sort of charming,” Georgia agreed.
“Well, I’ll stop blabbering on so you can get to it.”
She smiled, pressed the start button, and began running.
Nearly forty-five minutes later, Georgia hit stop, grabbed a small towel, and wiped her sweaty brow.
Roo hit stop on the elliptical, saying, “Truth be told, I could have stopped twenty minutes ago, but I felt like I had better keep up with you, for fear of appearing like a wimp.”
She giggled and tossed him a towel. “You know what it’s like being on set all day. Never any time to move around, so I like to get a good workout in the mornings. Keeps my energy up.”
“Water?” he asked, filling a cup from the pitcher.
“Please,” she replied, taking the cup.
They both guzzled their water.
“Well, I should go shower,” Georgia said.
“I best do the same. Meet you at breakfast?”
She nodded.
GEORGIA BOUNDED INTO THE DINING ROOMto see Roo sitting alone and sipping his tea at the only table in the room.
“Saved you a seat,” he said with a goofy smile.
She giggled and sat opposite him.
“I didn’t know if you prefer tea or coffee,” he said, gesturing at the two pots on the table. “Or perhaps something else altogether. Tomato juice? Kombucha? Canned energy drink? Ginger beer?”
“Ginger beer? Does anyone drink that for breakfast?”
“No, probably not. But you strike me as someone who marches to your own beat. Thought it was worth a stab.”
She smiled. “Tea. I drink black tea in the mornings.”
“Ah, surprising for an American,” he said as he poured her a cup.
“My mother’s a tea drinker. I probably got it from her. Plus, we traveled a lot when I was growing up. Spent a fair amount of time in England, China, all over. I guess I got used to some of the customs.”
“Right, you must have traveled for—” Roo was interrupted when Ástríður came into the room.
“Good morning. What can I get you two for breakfast today? Eggs? Oatmeal? Yogurt? Fruit?” she asked.
“Oh, should we wait for the others?” Georgia asked.
“Mr. Mercier is already on set. He left quite early.”
“My mum told me Michael is always the last one down to breakfast, racing to make his call time,” Roo added. “We best not wait. Please, after you.”
“Yogurt with some berries or other fruit, please,” Georgia said.
