Page 69 of Hot Set

With every step up the hill, my heart beats become heavier. I haven’t seen Jack since I left him in the armory, and now I’m going to have to face a romantic publicity shoot with Niks and him at the very spot that should belong only to Jack and me.

I turn to Bobby. “What’s happening?”

“You don’t recognize the Irish Country Lass Collection?”

An all too familiar voice rings out over the hilltop. “Sweetheart!”

Equally familiar arms squeeze me against a lithe chest. I’m immediately struck by the contrast of Treat Graham’s flimsy hug compared to Jack’s all-consuming embrace.

I escape Treat as Bobby claps him on the shoulder. “Did you get what you need up here?”

Treat holds my gaze for a moment before turning to Bobby. “Yes, perfect. Tomorrow, I’d like to set up in the fields over there with the sheep.”

Anger starts as a bubble in my gut but quickly escalates to a writhing ball of snakes. I hate the fact that Treat Graham’s feet are planted on this hill that holds treasured moments with Jack. I want to shove him off the edge into the heather.

“I’ll let you two catch up,” says Bobby. “I’m off to digest these scripts.” He points a finger at Treat. “Late dinner tonight? I’ll need the break.”

Treat, the louse, nods in my direction. “The three of us, I hope.”

“I’ve been trying to get this woman across a dinner table from me since she got here,” says Bobby.

Treat flushes, pressing his lips together. The goddamn nerve of this guy, acting jealous.

“I’d like to add a round of golf in Waterville with the three of us before you head back to L.A.,” says Bobby. He snaps his fingers. “I’ll get Jack in our game as well.”

And I’m going to wade into the Atlantic naked to join a troupe of mermaids. “I’ve got to get back to the writer’s room. I promised to help Maureen with research before she leaves.”

Bobby doesn’t pick up on my attempt at avoidance. “She’ll live without you until tomorrow. Go, go. I’ll see you both at dinner.” Bobby darts down the hill but stops halfway. “Hotel, half-nine. Gillian knows the one.” He’s gone before I can argue.

Treat brushes a hand down my arm. “I’ll be right back,” he says and pops over to his model. There’s some gratification that the Irish Country Lass for Lawson Graham Premier Sportswear is Niks, not Lanie.

She waves at me and blows a kiss. I offer a weak smile in return as any good colleague would.

Jack. Oh, shit.What if Jack sees me with Treat? Worse, if Jack realizes who Treat is, he may be inclined to flatten him. I’ve got to get Treat out of here to somewhere we won’t run into Jack. Thank God, they’re filming interiors all day on the castle set. I saw Hot Setsigns festooned like banners across it on my way in this morning.

Treat gives his leading lady a peck on the cheek, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s the only place his lips have been on Niks.

Better idea, I’ll get away from Treat. I seize the opening and scrabble down the hillside. Below are boulders I can duck behind, and Treat won’t have a clue where I’ve gone. The ass can chalk up my disappearance to a bit of faerie mischief.

I’ve barely started down the path when Treat takes me by the arm.

“Gilly, wait.”

I round on him. “Please don’t touch me.”

“What?” The look on my face makes him back off. “Your silent treatment these past few weeks tells me I fucked up big time, so I gave you space for your vacay writing fun since I knew I’d see you here. I’m fully prepared to grovel.”

“Not necessary.” I dig fingernails into my palm. How dare he belittle my place with the show? I could be petty and point out there haven’t been any messages or emails from him either since I flew over here. My fault, in a way. I was always the one in charge of communication between us.

Treat shakes his head. “You didn’t call.”

“I had nothing to say.”

He steps closer. “After two years of being happy together, you have nothing to say?”

My laugh is not what he expects. “I’m sure you were happy. Why wouldn’t you be? I was the perfect little bed warmer.”

“You know damn well that’s not all you are to me. We’re a helluva team. Tell me how to fix whatever I did. Your work at Lawson Graham is a cornerstone of my success.”

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