Page 31 of The Bride and the Billionaire Grump

Michael starts pacing behind the camera. Poor guy looks like he’s ready to blow a fuse.

I distract myself by tapping my feet in the water.

By the time Aaron is ready to continue, we’re not able to eat at the restaurant due to the timing and filming regulations.

Instead, they want us to snorkel.

I overhear some of the crew complaining and I feel bad.

I try to make the most of the snorkeling but mostly I wish I was laying on the beach sipping a cocktail.

Luckily, it’s a short outing as the seas start to get a bit rough.

The balmy afternoon air engulfs us as we dry off. I look at the crew who all look thoroughly over it.

They’re setting up for the final shots of the day. A romantic dinner in a bungalow overlooking the water.

Macey and Alex come over to start making me up but all I can hear is Aaron yelling at someone on the phone.

Long after I’m ready, he’s still in his swimwear and yelling. He pauses for a second, covering the speaker of the phone. “We’re done for today.”

“NOPE. That’s it. I’ve had enough. This is ridiculous.” Michael storms over and grabs Aaron’s phone off of him. “You and this freaking phone have been interrupting every single shot since the beginning of the shoot.”

Aaron tries to grab his phone but Michael steps back.

The air is thick with tension as everyone freezes, unsure what’s going to happen, as if one small move will cause a volcano to erupt.

“I am sick of you, you entitled, arrogant, self-obsessedasshole.” He throws Aaron’s phone in the sand and kicks it up at us as he swivels around and storms over to Cameron. “I quit.”

Someone in the crew applauds and I scrunch up my face. Not exactly a clapping moment.

I stand there awkwardly as everyone silently packs up.

The silence makes it worse. What’s going to happen without the lead producer? Will one of the other producers step in?

Macey comes over. “Go back to the apartment, babe. We’ll see you in the morning. I’m sure it will all be sorted by then.”

Right. I forgot I’m now staying at the apartment. I didn’t think about the fact that I have to stay there even when the cameras aren’t rolling.

Luckily the apartment is nearby so I walk back, unsure what Aaron will be doing.

For the moment I have it to myself.

I have a shower, get into my pajamas, and put a re-run of a random sitcom on in my room.

I’m grateful that at least they don’t have us sharing a room. Hopefully I can avoid Aaron when the cameras aren’t rolling.

I must be exhausted, because it’s not long before I feel a heaviness in my body and sleep consumes me.

CHAPTER 11

MILLIE

Iwake to the clanking of something in the kitchen and what sounds like Aaron grumbling.

I drag my body in the direction of the noise and peek through the one eye I manage to open. “What’s with the…” I gesture to Aaron having a fight with the coffee machine.

He whips around and eyes my pajamas. I feel exposed, suddenly, even though he saw me in a bikini yesterday when I was getting into the snorkeling suit. This is different; there’s no one else around.

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