Page 92 of Take Hold of Me

Wills leans forward, bringing his head near to mine. “You’re a natural at many things, Angel. Most of which are for my eyes only.”

My hand strokes his clean-shaven cheek, so in contrast to Rinaldo’s manicured stubble. I flatten my palm. “Oui. Only yours.”

“Sorry to interrupt you two lovebirds,” Rinaldo says. “But we are wanted back on the set, Emmie. Looks like the director wants to make some tweaks.” He winks at me.

“Go get ‘em, Ems.” Wills nods at Rinaldo.

After giving Wills another kiss, I follow my former boyfriend back to the set. Once we arrive, the director pulls me aside. “Emilie, first let me tell you how impressed I am. For never having any acting lessons, you are doing a great job.”

“I appreciate that.” The word “first” rings in my head. That means there will be a “second.”

“However,”here we go.I inhale a deep breath. “I would like to see how the scene would look if you did it exactly how it was written. So, this time, instead of turning your head, I want you and Rinaldo to actually kiss.”

I bite down on my bottom lip. Do I have a choice? “I thought you said you liked the change?”

“I do. But I also want to see it the other way. After all, there are so many people out there who still would love to see you and Rinaldo get back together. A kiss onscreen will give them what they want. Hope.”

Until they want more. “But my boyfriend—”

The producer puts her hand on my arm. “Emilie, this is acting. Not real life. Just pretend and go with it. Try it, okay?”

I swallow what feels like a boulder larger than those I was climbing on in the Caymans. “I guess so.”

“Great!” She claps. “Let’s go lay this down.”

Head down, I follow her back to the cameras.I can do this. I lift my face, and Rinaldo is wearing a smile that lights up his eyes.Wonderful.He leans over to me. “Looks like we’ll get the chance to reconnect after all. For the cameras, of course.” He raises both of his hands and steps back.

This is just pretend. Like when I do not like the clothes a designer gives me to wear on the catwalk and I sashay as if it is the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen. Rinaldo is just an ugly dress that I have to wear for the next couple of minutes. Then I can take it off and be done with it. Him.

“And action!”

The scene unfolds just as before. Too soon we arrive where I do not want to be. Rinaldo takes the Styrofoam cup from my suddenly cold hands and places it on the countertop, next to his. He runs his fingers through my hair, rubbing a lock in between them. He lowers his voice. “I don’t give a damn either.” His eyes close and he moves his lips forward until they meet mine.

My eyes fall shut a nanosecond before shock waves zing from the point of our contact. A small gasp escapes from me, but Rinaldo wraps one arm around me and continues the kiss. I am transported back to such kisses we used to share, both in front of cameras and in private. I sway into his embrace, my hands landing on his pumped-up shoulders for balance. When his free hand reaches for the zipper at the top of my dress, I catapult back to the present. My lips remain closed. I tighten my grip on his shoulders, otherwise, I could smack him. Self-defense moves Zak has been teaching me itch to be released. Neither of these options are in the script.Where is Brandan?

“Excuse me.” Brandan finally comes to my rescue. I remove my lips from Rinaldo’s. “I knew you two were still together! Do you mind if I a selfie with you?”

“AND, CUT!!”

I jump away from Rinaldo’s arms, giving him the evil eye. My fingers fly to my zipper, ensuring it is as high as it can go. He throws his head back and laughs.

“That was smoking hot, guys,” Brandan offers. “I could almost believe you’re getting back together.”

The director comes back to us. “Great job, you two. I got everything I need, so you can go back and change into your own clothes.” She offers her hand to Rinaldo. When she shakes my hand, she whispers, “The camera loves you. I would love to work with you again. I’ll be in touch.” She and Brandan head off to their next scene.

My thoughts are in complete disarray. The director gave me such high praise. Yet, Rinaldo made me feel dirty. And he did it on purpose.

“Now that’s what I was talking about.”

I roll my eyes. “It is called acting, Rinaldo. I was acting. And what was with your putting the moves on me back there? That was not in the script.”

He shrugs. “I ad-libbed.”

I grunt and stride away from him, causing him to laugh even more. Wills does not appear at all on my walk to the dressing room.Where is he? Did he get disgusted with what he saw?

As I strip out of the movie wardrobe and jump back into my own black capris and orange t-shirt, I hear Sally walking in with another woman. “I already had Callie fix my hair and makeup for my date tonight. Which earrings do you think will look best?”

Her companion—a woman I did not see before—shrugs. Sally replies, “I know, this is so hard. Running a movie set’s schedule is a cake walk as opposed to getting dressed for a first date. I usually go to this Instagram account for tips, but the woman who runs it hasn’t been on for almost a week.”

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