Page 12 of Hollywood Humbug (The Naughty List)

Istudied Audrey—my favorite hair and makeup technician—in the mirror as she carefully removed one of my false eyelashes. The big, round bulbs made it easier to watch the play of emotions on her face when I asked about her relationship with Luca. She was working awfully hard to seem nonchalant, but I hadn’t missed the way he looked at her. There was something simmering between them.

Before I could ask her another question, the makeup trailer shook slightly as someone stomped up the steps. The door was flung open and in walked Luca, his commanding presence immediately filling up the small space. He was brilliant, with a brooding and tough exterior, but I’d seen a softness there when he was with Audrey that made me smile. However, he could be a little intimidating, even to me, which said a hell of a lot. Especially when he was on a warpath like he seemed to be tonight—if his expression was any indication.

“What’s wrong with your hands?” Audrey snapped. “Don’t you believe in knocking?”

Holy shit, I thought as I gasped. I didn’t take bullshit from anyone, butno onespoke to Luca like that—both out of respect and fear. Although, part of me wanted to laugh at Audrey’s spunk. He might not have realized it yet, but she was just what he needed.

Luca’s hands were curled into tight fists at his sides, and a muscle ticked in his jaw. He scowled at me and I smiled back, even as I stood up, ready to make my escape.

“Could you please report to Security and get your name checked off the list? Ryder’s doing a headcount,” he growled.

Audrey wasn’t oblivious to his mood, so she quickly handed me a mini make-up remover pack, which I gratefully accepted before slipping out of the trailer and heading toward security.

With the sun down, even Southern California could get a little chilly on a December night, so I hurried across the lot. However, my steps slowed when I spotted a tall, muscular, blond man who made my heart race and my panties wet. His mouth was pressed together in a frustrated expression, but my heart skipped a beat when I thought about his swoon-worthy smile. The one he’d used to convince me to go out on a date with him. And I’d fallen for his charms like an idiot.

It still made my heart hurt to think about that night because after the shit hit the fan, we went from a budding romance to enemies overnight.

Kane was walking hastily toward the security office, but his deep blue eyes scanned the surrounding area, looking out for something…or someone. While I was sorely tempted to hide. I wasn’t about to turn into a coward. And even though I hated Christmas, I had no desire to spend it in jail for murder. Not much got me riled, but that man made me want to Hulk smash him. Then string him up on the North Pole and laugh while his many bits turned to icicles.

When I spotted Andrew Briggs, Kane’s set double, exiting the building, I made a beeline for him. I’d known Andrew for several years, and we’d become really good friends. We’d all been working on the same film when everything went down with Kane, and he’d been the shoulder I cried on…well, more like the shoulder I fumed on.

Andrew saw me coming, and something in my expression must have tipped him off because he canted his head to the left, toward a bench set next to a brightly decorated Christmas tree. Then he popped his head back into the office before walking my way, nodding at Kane when they crossed paths.

I sat on the bench and shot the tree a scathing look.

Andrew chuckled as he took a seat next to me. “What did that poor tree ever do to you?” he asked in a thick Texas drawl that made many a woman swoon. Even I got a little flutter in my stomach, though we’d never been more than friends.

“It represents all that is evil about this time of year,” I grumbled.

He laughed, but unlike me, his eyes lit up as he took in the sparkly garland and shining ornaments. “You can be a Scrooge all you want, Scarlett, but you won’t convince me this isn’t the most wonderful time of the year.”

I rolled my eyes teasingly and quipped, “Ba humbug.”

We both chuckled, then sat in comfortable silence for a minute, before Andrew gave me the side eye and asked, “Are you going to tell me why you’re hiding out here?”

“I’m not hiding,” I protested insistently. “I’m avoiding.”

“Still, that’s not like you.”

I winced, and my shoulders slumped. “I may have opened my big mouth and dredged up the past.”

“With Kane?” Andrew asked, his brows disappearing into his hairline.

“Yeah. His character was being just as pig-headed as he is, and it just set me off.”

He shook his head with a lopsided grin. “Men. I’m so glad I’m straight. Women are much less prone to drama.”

I burst into laughter, and it helped cleanse the bitter anger that was infecting me. When I sobered, his smile turned sympathetic. “He’s never let you explain, has he?”

I sighed. “No.” When Star Watch had reported that we were secretly engaged the day after our first—and only—date, I was livid. Especially when I saw the pictures of us that could only have been taken from inside the restaurant. “I could just murder Mandi Donovan,” I muttered acerbically. “I still have no clue how she even knew about our date. We were so careful. But what frustrates me the most is that I still let it get to me. I always think I’m over it, then we work on a project together, and I realize I’m still hurt and seriously pissed.”

Andrew nodded and draped his arm around my shoulder. “I saw the chemistry between you guys. I can’t imagine it’s easy to let that go. And honestly, Scarlett, I was pretty shocked when you told me what Kane said. It sounded so out of character for him.”

“Me too. Maybe it’s a good thing we never got together.” I laid my head on Andrew’s shoulder. “Whenever we’ve ended up on the same project, he's so laid back and takes everything in stride, except when it comes to me. Obviously, I bring out the worst in him.”

“Hmmm.”

I elbowed Andrew in the side and popped my head up to glare at him. “Spit it out, Briggs. I know that ‘hmmm’ means something.”

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