Page 6 of GDL

A few seconds later, the director yells, "Cut!," a bell rings, and the crew start scurrying around like ants.

I step out of the shadows. Kynan's talking to his assistant, but the instant he notices me, their conversation grinds to a halt, and he walks over to me. My eyes travel up his toned calves and massive thighs, taking in his vibrant red-and-white striped nylon shorts. His hair is tied back in a low ponytail, although a few wisps have fallen loose.

"I didn't know you were here," he greets me with a smile warm enough to almost make me believe he's glad to see me.

"I snuck in," I answer. "Tried to be as quiet as a mouse."

Kynan moves forward. "Well, you were definitely quiet…as a mouse." He shakes his head and sighs. "Sorry. I'm tired and haven't eaten all day." He taps his temple twice. "Brain no work."

"It's all good. How much more have you got to shoot?"

"Just a few more takes."

"Okay. Are you free for dinner later?"

His eyes light up. Or maybe it's the studio lighting. Yeah, it's probably just the lighting. "Actually, I am."

"Great. I'll hang around,quiet as a mouse, and then we can go grab something to eat."

Two and a half hours later, Kynan and I are finally walking out of the studio.

"They really work you hard," I say.

"We're shooting in advance," he explains, letting out a yawn. "It's not ideal, but we probably produced two weeks' worth of content today once we edit the videos into the smaller chunks we'll be posting online."

"I see."

He points to a side exit door, and we head toward it. "Have you watched any of my stuff?"

"No." I suppress a grin when he cocks his head in surprise. "I've watchedallyour stuff."

"All of it?"

"Yep. My clothes have never been cleaner."

He eyes me up and down. Correction, he eyesmy clothesup and down. "I'm glad."

There's a beat of silence as a current of electricity passes between us.

Stay professional, Sawyer.

Right, professional. I can do that. "I've even watched the stuff you've deleted thanks to a guy I know who can work his way around the interwebs."

Kynan lets out a groan that makes sticking to my resolution to stay professional impossible, my mind racing, imagining a number of veryunprofessional scenarios where I could draw similar sounds out of him.

"I kind of hate that, but then again, I also expected it," he says.

"What do you mean?"

"You're thorough. Like when you interviewed the Prime Minister of Australia after the contentious election in 2009. You really did your research."

We've reached the exit. "How do you know about that?"

Kynan brushes up next to me and smirks, so close I can see the tiny flecks of gray in his deep-blue eyes. "Let's just say I know my way around the interwebs, too, and I wasn't about to be profiled by someone I knew nothing about."

I press down on the metal push bar, and the door swings open with a loud click. "You're an intriguing young man, Kynan." I wave for him to go first. "An intriguing young man, indeed."

We walk through the mostly empty lot, the last light of the day a thin strip on the horizon.

---