Page 42 of Take 2
“The pleasure is all mine,” I say as I shake his hand. “I’m a huge fan of your work.”
“And I yours. We’re all getting dinner sometime so we have more time to talk, right?”
“Of course,” Preston says.
“Excellent.” Rafael claps him on the back. “Now let me show you all the ways your genius ideas are a pain in the ass to shoot.”
I sink into the background as they get to work. This is the magic I love. Even before the actors come out, seeing all the moving pieces and people behind the scenes is like a shot of adrenaline. The camera lens captures such a small window of what a movie is, and while I love the polished, finished product, witnessing this end of it is a rush.
The yacht sets sail, and Monaco shrinks behind us. Part of me wishes I could be the kind of person who vacations like this, but I wouldn’t trade my job for the world. Of course, it isn’t my job today. It’s Preston’s.
Actors appear from a lower deck where they were in hair and makeup, some who I know, some I don’t.
“Mirabelle Sheridan is here!” My name is given all the weight most people would reserve for the A-lister who said it. He’s my favorite Chris, though I wouldn’t ever tell him that. “Please tell me you’re watching me to get inspiration for a script that’ll get me an Oscar nomination.”
We kiss each other’s cheeks. “What do you need me for when you’re in a Medina/Greene picture?”
“Oh, I need you.” He winks at me, and I roll my eyes. “If you ever need someone to read a sexy scene with you, you know who to call.”
“According toPeople,it would be Paul Rudd.”
Heblows out of his lips in apsh. “Do you have free time while you’re out here?”
“I don’t know.” I glance at Preston, and Chris follows my gaze.
“Oh, I see. I have to win an Oscar to get your attention. Well, write me a role!”
I shove his well-muscled chest. “You’re ridiculous. But at least you wouldn’t beat me for it.”
“Exactly.” He walks backwards toward the set. “I’m going to carve out some time with you while we’re here.” He turns around, giving me a drool-worthy view of his perfect ass in linen pants as he gets to work.
My eyes trail him but find Preston looking at me incredulously. I shrug innocently and bat my eyelashes. He rolls his eyes and focuses back on work. It’s such a beautiful thing when writers are involved. I love that Rafael brought Preston out here. Talking to the actors, adjusting lines as they shoot, collaborating like this, make the best movies. It’s kind of giving me a work crush on Rafael. God, I want to work with someone like that.
During lunch, the yacht is anchored, and I sit with my feet in the chilly water off the platform at the stern. The mountains that set Monaco apart from France are a majestic backdrop to the crowded city skyline. Footsteps approach behind me, but I don’t turn to see who it is.
“Looks like clouds are rolling in, so we’re heading back soon.” Preston folds one leg under himself as he sits next to me.
“Okay.”
“Having a good time?”
“Very much so.”
He leans on his knee. “Sorry we don’t get to spend much time together.”
“That’s not actually what I’m here for,” I say with a smile. “Anyway, it’s fun to watch you work. All of you,” I add awkwardly.Not that I’m watchingyou.
“You’re just being a film nerd, and all I want to do is hang out with you.”
I force myself to hold his gaze. If I were really being open-minded and not holding a collection of grudges with varying levels of legitimacy, I might be falling for him right now. But am I ready to? Maybe the grudges aren’t a hindrance. Maybe they’re protecting me.
“You asked me to kiss you last night.”
My heart jumps. “Um, remember when you said you couldn’t judge if I was stupid last night?”
“Yeah, not because I didn’t remember it. Just because I may not judge that to be stupid.”
I press my lips together before I gather words. “Well, did you?” I’d like to think I’d remember us kissing, but crazier things have happened.
