Page 33 of Playing for Possession
“That’s dating for you.” She swallowed and peered up at me. “So, no, I’m not interested in Ramirez... not like that. I’m also perpetually single.”
She raised a wry eyebrow. A beautiful, shy smile curved her lips. “Besides, who’s going to put up with me?”
Anyone. Everyone. Anyone would be lucky to have you.
We’d drifted so close. An invisible tension thrummed between us. Could she feel this? Did she like me? I didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought about me. What did it matter if she liked me or not? She bit her lip. I tried not to stare at the movement. I had this weird sensation like I was falling backward, like one of those inane team-building exercises, trusting someone to catch me. Better tokeep things light with banter. You always knew where you were with banter—safe and at a distance.
“Look, we’re both Calverdale. We’re in this together. You can think I’m prickly and hate me if you want—”
“I don’t hate you, Kieran.” A beautiful pink flush raced across her cheeks.
I kept my voice breezy, but my heart pounded at her closeness. “Good.”
She bit her lip again, but she wouldn’t look at me. “Good.”
“Friends, remember?”
She shot me a shy smile that wrapped me in her softness. “Yes. Friends.”
Friends.My stomach sank. It would have to do. That’s what Joanie needed, and it’s what I’d promised. “We’d better get some sleep. We’re both facing imminent serious internal organ damage by having to drink this shitty drink tomorrow.”
Although, I had no chance of sleep. Not when I’d be thinking about her in her bed just across the landing from mine. What else could anyone expect froma man like me?
Chapter 15
Joanie
The white sandy beach bustled with activity. My guts churned at the sight of all the equipment: huge cameras, monitors for playback, lighting, sound equipment. Dad had taken me to the set of his music videos a few times. I should have been used to this setup, but it still made my anxiety overwhelming. Some people aspired to the limelight. I’d never had those inclinations.
Sand shifted under my sandals as we headed to where the production crew gathered around a large tent pitched by the cliffs. The sunlight was so bright it dazzled. Squawks from the seabirds rattled my skull. I loved the coast under normal circumstances, and this beach with its clear blue water was one of the most beautiful I’d seen, but even the gentle roll of the waves grated. The sun beat down harsh and unforgiving. I’d worn a long skirt to cover the scar on my knee, and now the fabric was getting all tangled and bunched around my legs.
“OK?” Kieran shot me a glance. He looked laid-back and relaxed in a linen shirt and khaki shorts.
I tried to shake off my nerves and smile. “Yep.”
He leaned in close, giving me a whiff of coconut sunscreen. “Don’t worry. It won’t be long, and then we’re out of here.”
Right. I just had to grit my teeth and get through it. Then I could get back on with writing my f-word list. It was a good distraction at least. Yesterday, I’d added more items to the list. None of it was huge, just things I’d been putting off: a photography course, a trip to Japan in cherry blossom season, dusting off my violin from the attic and joining a music group.
A young woman from the crew spotted our approach and headed toward us. She spoke in faintly accented English. “Hey! You’re here. So great to meet you both. I’m Elena, the director.”
Despite my nerves, I pasted a polite smile onto my face and shook Elena’s hand. She did a double take when she shook Kieran’s hand. “Wow. You’re taller than you look on TV.”
Kieran looked nonplussed. He was probably used to starstruck people saying the first thing that came into their head. “Am I?”
There was something about the way her gaze roved up and down over him that made my stomach twist. She thrust a script into my hand. I glanced down at the first line.Kieran Earnshaw and female player walk along beach.
“Let’s get you into wardrobe,” Elena said.
Kieran brushed sand from his shorts. “How long is this going to take?”
“It depends how much we get done today. A couple of days, hopefully.” She tilted her head to peer up at Kieran. Her eyes were bright and eager, and her voice was playful. “Don’t worry. You’re in safe hands.”
This woman had barely spared me a glance. Why would she, when she could look at Kieran Earnshaw? I couldn’t blame her. It shouldn’t have bothered me. It absolutely didn’t bother me. Kieran could hook up with the entire production crew if he wanted. What did I care?
She glanced sideways at me. “Can you lose the glasses?”
My hands flew to my face to protect my glasses.Not really. I can’t see without them. I wore contacts to play, but nobody had told me to wear contacts for the shoot. I carried spares in my handbag. Good thing.
