Page 95 of Collide
The waves lap along the shore, stars twinkling in the sky.
Sitting by the bonfire, I glance at Logan, then down at the red cup cradled in my hands.
“Cut!” calls the director.
“You did great,” Mark says softly, draping a blanket over my shoulders.
It’s almost three a.m., and exhaustion has begun to creep into my bones on the third and final day of filming my music video at La Jolla Cove.
The director approaches Logan and me, his expression encouraging but focused.
“Elena, that was perfect. For this next shot, we’ll reset here by the fire. You’re looking into your drink, reflecting. You glance toward Logan, shake your head gently like you’re chasing away a memory. Then you stand, toss the drink aside, and walk briskly to Logan. Logan, you pick her up, embrace her tightly, and then lean in close, almost kissing. End scene.”
“Sounds good,” Logan says, his eyes bright, his long blond hair dancing in the breeze.
I smile, giving Logan a playful thumbs-up as we head back to our marks.
“Places!” the director calls.
I hand the blanket back to Mark and take my spot by the fire again. Inga bustles over, dabbing a powder puff against my face and fussing with my hair before stepping aside.
“Action!” the director yells.
My song begins playing, and I silently mouth the lyrics, slipping into character. As I move toward Logan, he easily lifts me into his arms. My heart jolts, instantly transported back to Alex carrying me during laser tag, butterflies flaring in my stomach.
But when I look up and realize it’s Logan, not Alex, holding me, a giggle bubbles out before I can stop it, completely shattering the romantic tension.
Shit.
“Sorry, sorry.” Laughter still clings to my voice as I stumble through the apology. The director shakes his head like he’s used to this.
It takes another four takes before we finally nail the shot and another two hours before I’m in my bed. I close my eyes andsuddenly, it’s morning, and the bright sunlight feels blinding. I groan, forcing myself up to start the day.
Riley and I spend the morning ordering room service and getting ready. She’s chirpy, clearly having had a full night’s sleep. I’m on my second cup of coffee, my eyelids barely hanging on.
Logan and Mark arrange our entry into Geek-Fest, and we’re quickly greeted by a perky girl with bright turquoise hair, vibrant red lips, oversized glasses, and a Geek-Fest shirt.
“Hi! You must be with Logan,” she says brightly, her grin way too chipper for how much my head is pounding. She leads us backstage to the green room, chatting the whole way.
Inside, Logan is slouched in a gray chair, looking every bit as tired as I feel.
“Hey, Hollywood, nice to see you again!” Riley calls out, her curls bouncing as she heads straight for him.
Logan lifts his head and gives her a tired smile, pulling her into a quick bear hug before plopping himself back in the chair.
“Hey, cuz.” He shoots me a glance, mouth tipping into a crooked grin. “You look how I feel.”
I groan. My eyes feel like they have gravel in them.
“How’d you pull up?” he adds, studying me.
I drop into the chair opposite him, rubbing my face. “Barely functioning,” I mutter, my voice hoarse.
He lets out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Yeah, same. I don’t think I’ve had less sleep in my life.”
I huff. “I think my body’s still on that beach, freezing, dancing like it’s two a.m.”
Logan groans. “Don’t remind me. Whoever thought cold nights on a beach was a good idea deserves a slap.”
