Page 28 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
“Like, we got on great.” Emily grinned. “But we just stayed in the pub and by the end of the evening I think she guessed that I’m into guys.”
You couldn’t make it up, Jess thought.
Emily reached for the TV remote.
“I’ve got Netflix – there’s a few good movies on.”
“Amazing.” Jess made herself more comfortable on the sofa. “Just once it doesn’t have a wedding in it. Mam made me watch so many of those last year, I don’t want to see another romantic movie again in my life.”
“I wouldn’t mention that to Afric and Spencer,” Emily said.
“Yeah, I know. Where did you get your rings, by the way? They’re really pretty.”
“Oh.” Emily shrugged a bit shyly. “I made them myself. It’s sort of a hobby.”
“Seriously?” Jess leaned closer to examine the slender, twisted-silver rings on her hand. “You’re really talented.” She helped herself to another slice of pizza. “You know, I love that you invited me over tonight. I don’t know anyone down here.”
“You know Robert.”
“He’s nice, but I don’t want him getting the wrong idea.” Jess chewed slowly. “But I definitely want you and me to hang out more.”
“You don’t have to –” Emily began.
“I mean it, I’m really grateful. So stop thinking I’m doing you a favour here.”
Emily seemed to relax a bit more. “I’ve got so many friends back in Dublin, I thought it wouldn’t matter where I was living,because I’d just make lots of new ones.” She pulled a face. “Sonot the case.”
Jess thought of Zoe and Finn who’d managed to buy a rundown cottage in Limerick. It needed loads of work but they’d managed to make a start on it with the money Finn was earning from his contract in Vegas. And once they moved in, Jess knew Zoe was planning on having endless house guests so they wouldn’t be lonely.
That was it!
“You have to stop waiting for other people to invite you places.” Jess sat up straighter. “You need to throw a party.”
CHAPTER 15
@starzwatch: Sources on the set ofAn Irish Inheritancehave revealed that both Afric and Spencer continue to ignore director Doug Strathan and intimacy coordinator Callie Nielson about love-scene guidelines – making the movie’s sexiest scenes sizzle like a barbeque during a thunderstorm.
“Cut!” Doug seemed to be yelling just outside Jess’s office, where she’d been working since early that morning. She took a few minutes to view the finished video for Linford’s new social-media campaign. The two-and-a-half-minute montage showcased parts of the castle and grounds, and was cleverly interspersed with soundbites from the cast, hotel staff and locals about the making of the movie.
Shaking her hair out of a ponytail, she pushed away from her desk, wondering if she should try to find herself somewhere else to work for the day. She also needed to start planning Emily’sparty. She didn’t regret offering to organise it, but it had to happen while she was there, and she wasn’t quite sure where to start. Maybe she should just ask all the staff to save the date and worry about the logistics later.
There was a knock on the door and Anthony came in. “How are you getting on?”
“With Hollywood just outside the door?” Jess grinned. “I think they’ve been shooting the same scene for the last hour.”
Anthony nodded. “I’ve a little more time on my hands recently, so I can confidently tell you that they’ve done eleven takes of that scene.”
“Everyone, take twenty!” Doug called.
Anthony raised an eyebrow. “They’ll all head out to the craft truck for drinks and snacks. I believe the coffee there is pretty good.”
Jess got to her feet. “I’ll join you.”
Jess stirred a spoon of sugar into the large latte she’d got at the craft truck and debated whether or not to have a delicious-looking, rice-crispy square. None of the actors seemed to be snacking on anything. Clearly, they were all a lot more disciplined than her. Still, it’d be wrong to let rice-crispy squares go to waste. She helped herself to the nearest one and took a large bite.
“Jess, stay right there!” Mel Winters gave an imperious wave a few minutes later.
“Hi, Mel.” She tried not to spray crumbs. “How’s it all going?”
