Page 27 of Love on the Byline

“Have you been on a lot before?”

Blake’s expression transformed when she looked at him, asmile curving one corner of her mouth. “I have not, but I’ve always wanted to.”

“Yeah?”

He started for the door, gesturing for her to follow.

“One of Trent’s— my grandfather’s— favorite movies is Singin’in the Rain. I think his parents took him to see it when he was a kid, sowe would watch it often.”

“That’s one of the best of the oldies.”

“It really is, and it offers a fantastic glimpse into thiswhole world,” she said. “Or at least the Hollywood of the age. It’s remarkablyself-aware for, what, the 1950s?”

Ollie closed the door to the trailer behind them. “Anythingin particular you want to see?”

“There’s a scene in the film when Gene Kelly’s character andDebbie Reynold’s character are singing on a soundstage with, like, a hugebackdrop of open country.”

“I haven’t seen the film since I was little, but I’m sure wecan find something that’ll fit the description.”

They walked across the lot, passing racks of costumes,actors and crew zooming about, and random props.

As they picked their way through the mayhem, Blake took itall in like a child on her first visit to a zoo full of exotic animals.

Her curious gaze darted back and forth, taking in thedetails and Ollie couldn’t stop marveling at her wide-eyed wonder.

A tram pulled around them and stopped, a tour group alightingas a guide gathered them in front of the door to stage thirty-one.

“This building is used for many of the nature scenes you’dsee in our films and shows,” the guide explained. She was a short, sturdy womanwith copper hair and rosy cheeks. Her pale eyes crinkled behind her glasses,which were attached to a chain around her neck.

Blake drew close as the woman spoke, and he followed behind.

“I have to warn you. Some of the things in here can be alittle scary.”

“Like what?” Blake asked.

“If you’re familiar with Dem Bones, our dramedy setin the Jurassic era, then you’ll know the family encounters some prehistoriccreatures. They all live here.” The guide addressed the last part to a youngboy at the front of the group.

“There’s a T-Rex in there?” he asked, stepping back. Anolder man put his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry,” the guide said. “It’s only pretend. And allof our creatures are harmless. That said, I have to ask you all to not touchanything and to stay within the red lines on the floor.”

He and Blake stood back while the group filed inside. Theair filled with the scent of fog juice, sweet and cloying. “Do you want to goin? We can join them.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m not a dino girl.”

“Come on, then. We’re almost there.”

“Almost where?”

“You’ll see.”

The urge to take her hand was overwhelming. He wanted tofeel her warmth on his skin, her delicate fingers entwined with his. It wasirrational and probably juvenile, but it didn’t stop the longing.

Soon enough they arrived at their destination, and Ollieopened the door. “After you.”

Building twenty-eight contained a large soundstage thatseemed to stretch on forever. In its center were two massive backdrops— one ofa verdant forest and another of rolling plains— big enough to make anyone feeltiny in comparison.

Blake gasped as she stepped inside. “Oh, my God.”

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