Page 5 of A Possibility of an Unexpected Second Chance

“Your mouth says that, but your eyes tell a different story.” Chase grinned at him. “But don’t worry. I won’t say anything.”

“Good. Because you’re wrong.”

Hayden spent the next thirty minutes trying to convince himself that his words were true.

CHAPTER5

Lana eased herself into the bubbling hot water and sighed as the tension lifted from her shoulders. It had been a hectic first week of filming, and she was glad rain was in the forecast tomorrow so she could have a day off. She peered up at the night sky, a billion stars twinkling above her. The vastness of the universe made her feel so small. The night air carried a light breeze, and she sank deeper into the hot tub. This was the life.

She hadn’t stayed at this resort before. It was named the Diamond Oasis, but the crew kept calling it the Billionaire Club. She could see why. It definitely catered to the elite. The grounds were kept immaculate, and the room she was in could be split into five apartments. Even the hot tub looked like it was made with expensive imported tile.

“Mind if I join you?”

Lana looked up to see Chase. This was the first time working on a film with him, but she’d gotten to know him socially over the last few years. “Sure,” she said.

Chase didn’t bother with the stairs. He stepped on the seat next to her and plopped down. “Ah, that’s what I’m talking about,” he said, stretching his legs out in front of him.

“Right? It feels amazing.”

He stared up at the moon. “Hard to imagine it’s supposed to rain us out tomorrow. Not a cloud in the sky.”

“I’m glad, to be honest. I can use a rain day.”

“What will you do?” Chase pushed the bubbling water around in the pool.

Lana hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Maybe go check out the shops along the shore. Or take in a movie. I haven’t seen a movie in forever.”

“You should ask Hayden to go with you.”

Lana froze. What did Chase know about her and Hayden? She’d seen Chase and Hayden chatting a few times. Had Hayden said something? She tried to act nonchalant. “Why?”

“Because I think you and he should talk.” Chase gave her a direct look. “Don’t you think you have things to talk about?”

What in the world? “What did he say to you?” It came out accusatory, and she clamped her lips together.

“Hey, chill. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Lana narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out what was going on. “Why do you think we should talk?”

“I just noticed you’re avoiding each other. Makes for an awkward time on set, don’t you think?” Chase raised one eyebrow at her.

She huffed and looked away. Had it been that obvious? She hadn’t meant for it to show, but she had been avoiding Hayden. Maybe she was making others uncomfortable.

“Hey, speak of the devil.” Chase grinned when Hayden walked up to the hot tub. Lana’s stomach dropped. Hayden wore swim trunks and had a towel slung over his shoulders. Either he was about to get into the hot tub, or he was lost on his way to the beach. At night.

“Join us. We were just talking about you,” Chase said.

Lana wanted to disappear down into the water. Why had Chase said that? Was he trying to embarrass her?

Hayden seemed hesitant. “Uh, I don’t want to interrupt.”

“You’re not. I was just getting out.” Chase stood and hopped out the same way he had gotten in. He squeezed the water from his trunks and motioned. “You can have my seat.”

Hayden stood back for a moment before setting his towel on a chair and climbing in. Lana scooted over, suddenly feeling self-conscious. She’d pulled her hair back with a scrunchie, and she was sure it was sticking up funny. She wasn’t any good at the messy bun look. It was more like a messy halo of black hair, which usually looked like spider legs sticking out in all directions.

“Well, I gotta run. Have fun you two.” Chase skittered away and Hayden cringed.

“I think we’ve been set up. Chase texted me asking if I would join him in the hot tub. I thought it was an odd request…”

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