Page 79 of Out of the Gold

“No. Can you believe it? She’s like you, she has the constitution of an elephant. No, wait, that came out wrong. She’s not an elephant at all. And neither are you. You know what I mean.”

I let his word salad continue for a little bit. “I got you. Well, I think it’s good she didn’t get sick. Did she stay on set?”

“No. I heard she went to visit Naples with Joe. The camera operator.”

“Ouch. Sorry, dude.”

Melody whispers, “Ask him if he’s heard how Sophia’s feeling.”

Thomas’s voice comes over through the car’s speakers. “Hey, are you alone? I didn’t mean to interrupt something—”

I glance at Melody, who shakes her head. I evade. “Have you heard how Sophia is doing?” Then add, “And Mark?”

“They’re both better, from what I’ve heard. Sophia got it real bad, though. I saw her walking into a local grocery store a couple of hours ago, and she looked like death warmed over. She has to have lost five pounds. I wanted to go over and talk with her but couldn’t get my own body moving.”

Melody nods, and I ask about Mark again.

“Oh, he’s probably the best of all of us. He was back on solid foods yesterday.”

“That’s a little bit of positive news anyway.”

“And Melody. No one’s seen her at all. She must have it worse than Sophia.”

At the mention of Melody’s name, I squeeze her knee. In response, she opens her legs a little bit. No longer interested in gossip from the set, I try to wrap things up with my PA. “Guess we’ll find out soon. Noble texted that we’ll resume filming on Monday. I have a feeling we’re going to be doing very late night shoots.”

“Yeah. I know he’s going to want to get the shoot back on track. You better get all the rest you can now.”

“Good advice, T. Well, I better go. See you on Monday.”

When the line is disconnected, I glance at my girlfriend. She’s holding her phone. “I feel badly for Sophia. Especially since Thomas talked about Tina.” She taps her phone.

I cock my head.

Melody sighs. “You didn’t hear this from me, but Sophia has a little crush on your PA.”

Understanding seeps into my bones. “Very interesting. Seems Mark may have something to say about that.”

“I had a hunch.” She holds up her phone. “Do you mind if I call her to check in?”

“Not at all.”

On speaker, her best friend picks up on the third ring. Her voice is painfully scratchy. After Melody asks about her health, Sophia gives her a rundown. Geez, she still isn’t ready for prime time.

“I’m so sorry, Sophia.”

The sound of her blowing her nose fills the car. “I’ll be okay before we start shooting again. I hope. Now tell me all about Doctor Manipul8. Has he performed any superhero tricks on you?”

Melody giggles, and the lighthearted sound makes my heart swell. Well, that in addition to the fact she’s shared our relationship with her friend. She glances at me, her smile wicked. “Oh, he sure did.”

To punctuate her point, I slip my hand up to the juncture of her thighs, keeping my eyes trained on the road. She swallows a surprised exclamation.

“Good for you. I’m so happy. At least one of us is having fun. And not sick.”

“More than having fun.”

At her words, I press my palm against her pussy and she clamps her legs together, trapping my hand. “That we are,” I add.

“Oh my God. Charles, is that you?”

“In the flesh.” I move my hand in a small circle.

“We’re enjoying the Italian countryside,” Melody squeaks.

Sophia coughs, then sneezes. “I think that’s my cue to let you two lovebirds go. I’m so happy for you. Both.” She clicks off.

“Sophia seems nice.”

“She is. She’s one of the only people on earth who I trust. Implicitly.” She opens her legs a fraction. “And you’re another.”

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