Page 27 of The Love Raffle

“Thanks, man.” He picked up a cupcake. The director and writers were rewatching his takes. A lot of the set featured green screens. Most of this movie would utilize CGI for effects.

“Try not to have too many of those. We don’t want you to get out of shape. You’re lucky you are who you are. Otherwise lying around for months straight would have messed with your physique,” said Oscar from beside him.

Levi didn’t catch that. His mind was elsewhere.

He bit into his cupcake as he thought back to Saturday night. He had worked up the nerve to call Amber after toying with the idea that whole day.She sounded so…He found her cool. He couldn’t describe it. Just talking to her was such a contrast from his crazy life. And now that he had managed to make plans with her, he had to deliver on that.

Got to be sneaky.No one needed to know he was meeting her again. He had already seen rumors starting up that they might turn into something but that was just talk following the date. It had only been a few days.

He gulped, remembering Rachel’s plan. He hadn’t met Fiona yet, but he knew she was in on it. Yes, Amber was the girl Levitrulyliked but being seen with her now would destroy Rachel’s scheme.Or cause a lot of confusion.The last thing he wanted was to be perceived as a cheater if he was somehow caught seeing both.Now that I think about it, I should have probably told Amber about this.But what would she think?

“Levi Marks in the flesh.”

Levi finally snapped out of his stupor when Fiona Bazoli herself came strutting his way.Woah.

Her hair was dyed red for this project. It curled at the ends and reached her shoulders. She wore a costume similar tohis. Mrs. S was Captain Evolution’s villainous fighting partner. “Would you look at that?” she said.

Levi hadn’t recalled her having a British accent, but she did.She also looks amazing.He was kind of trying not to fanboy here. “Look at you. You look great.”

Fiona laughed and hugged him. “So good to finally meet you.” She smiled at Oscar. “Your friend?” she asked.

Oscar saluted. “Been handling this guy since he hit puberty.”

Levi lightly punched Oscar’s shoulder as he and Fiona laughed. “He just looks out for me.” He smiled. “So, how are you? How was the trip here? LA must be crazy compared to England.”

Oscar coughed in his fist at the same time Fiona tilted her head.

“England?” Fiona raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you think this accent is real? Am I that good?” She playfully hit Levi on the chest several times, cackling.

“Ow.” That hurt. “Oh wait, are you just doing an accent for the role?” Since when was Mrs. S British? He was lost.

“Oh no, no, no, no.” Fiona wagged a finger right in his face.

Levi leaned back. He glanced at Oscar, who seemed disappointed.Am I being insulting or something?Fiona didn’t seem to think so.

Fiona spun around and struck a dainty pose with her hand on her forehead and her body leaning backward. Her hair hung behind her. “This accent is in preparation for thisotherrole I’m playing.” She smiled at him after breaking her pose. “You’ll understand once you watch.”

“Oh no, I think I get it now. Your character is British in that role so you’re—”

“Actually, my character wakes from a coma andthinksshe’s British,” Fiona explained gladly. “You can ask more. We’re supposed to be seen interacting.”

Levi had never heard anything more complicated. “Right. The characterthinksshe’s British.”

“Exactly.” She poked his nose then picked up a cupcake of her own from the table. After peeling the covering, she took a bite. “So, I’ve already planned where we’ll meet after shooting each day this week. We really need to keep the fans alert, you know?” She giggled. “My agent justadoresthis idea. Having them wonder about us. That should keep everyone interested until the movie.” She hit Levi’s arm.

“Ah, I see.” Levi was starting to think that warning Amber about this would have been the right move. “What are these plans exactly? Are we going out or what?”

Oscar’s firm hand held his shoulder. “Of course, you’ve got to go out. She sent Rachel the schedule. Didn’t she send it toyou, Levi?” Why was Levi off his game this morning? He had done well on set but had zoned out completely while Oscar had given an update on Fiona’s work just now.I mean I just told the guy why she’d have an accent and he still got mixed up.

“Oh, there’s a schedule?” Levi tugged his collar. “Maybe she did send it and I just missed it.” He looked at the bright-eyed Fiona. “Busy morning.” He tapped Oscar’s chest and whispered to pass him his phone.

Oscar placed it in his palm. “She must have. She’s more excited about this than anyone.” He watched the way Fiona twirled and sang in her costume. “Maybe noteveryone.”

Levi opened up his text messages.There it is.Under the rundown of the schedule was another message she had sent. It was about the Amber rumors.

We’re putting out a statement that you’re not dating that Amber girl and that it was just a one-time thing. I just told your social media manager to do so. Can’t have that in the way. Happy shooting!

Levi read it over and lowered his phone.Oh crap.They must have sent that out already. He needed to tell Amber it meant nothing.

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