Page 45 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
As if he knew he was being talked about, Snuggles began to bark even louder.
“Right.” A huge dog with insecurity issues! Jess smiled brightly at everyone. “How about you wait here while I run a couple of things by Anthony, and we’ll take it from there?”
Without waiting for a response, she left, relieved to get away. A German Shepherd and a Toy Poodle together in Linford Castle for the next four weeks? What could possibly go wrong?
CHAPTER 23
@starzwatch: Filming ofAn Irish Inheritance– the new romcom starring Spencer Torres and Afric Brooks – was abandoned for much of the afternoon yesterday, when Afric became too upset to work, and slated her co-star for putting her Toy Poodle, Diva, at risk. Torres’ close friend Ben Colbert gave Spencer a rescue German Shepherd for his recent birthday – and the dog is staying at Linford Castle with the cast and crew.
“Ben, would you make sure that Snuggles wears a muzzle when he’s in the hotel or the grounds?” Jess’s job was becoming stranger by the minute, she thought, as she stood outside Spencer’s cottage.
In front of her, Ben Colbert – wearing only a pair of low-slung pyjama bottoms – was nodding cheerfully. “That sounds fair, darling. Anything else?”
“Um…” Jess pretended to think as she struggled to keep her eyes trained on his face. Dear God, dancers had amazing bodies! Maybe she should take up dancing. She was probably a bit too old for ballet, but she’d been able to do a passable Irish jig when she was seven.
Focus, Jess.Mrs McDonagh had been apoplectic after she’d found out about the new dog.
“Bad enough that scut that Afric Brooks has,” she’d raged. “Now we have to put up with that monster of a yoke! Just make sure they stay in their designated areas, Jess. Under no circumstances can they be anywhere in the castle, except for that basement room. Hygiene aside, I’m allergic.”
“No, that’s it,” Jess said now, dragging herself back to the present.
From inside the cottage there was loud barking and she tensed as she heard the dog’s nails on the wooden floors as he ran, skittering towards the door.
“I’d better, you know …” Ben gestured vaguely behind him.
“Absolutely.” Jess nodded feverishly, her eyes snagging on his dark, bare chest as she did. Did muscles actually ripple? They looked fairly rippley. She glanced up, heat blasting to her face as he grinned at her. Unable to utter another word, she turned quickly and almost collided with Robert.
“Oh, hi! I was just – we were just –” She looked over her shoulder but Ben had already closed the door. Jess sighed. “Talking about the dog.”
“The dog?” Robert looked bemused. “I’m glad I ran into you, though. I wanted to give you something.”
“Really?” Jess laughed as he stepped closer, pulling her towards him to press his mouth to hers. “So nice of you to come all this way to give me that,” she said, stepping away. “But, technically, I’m at work.” She folded her arms. “Have you met Snuggles?”
He rolled his eyes. “I think I have a mental picture.”
“You haven’t met Snuggles.” Jess took out her phone as it started to ring. “Excuse me a minute.” She swiped a finger across the screen. “Hi, Emily.”
“Oh, hi, Jess, I was trying your office –”
“I’m in the grounds. I’ll be there in a few.”
“No, there’s actually a bit of a problem at the front gate and security wants to know if someone can go down and check it out.”
“Uh, sure, I’ll head down.” She hung up. “I’d better go.”
“Anything I can do?” Robert asked.
“It’s fine, thanks.” Jess shook her head. “I’ll catch you later.”
She walked down to the main gate, glad of the cool breeze. Huddled outside on the access road was the usual core group of reporters and photographers. As she got closer, she noticed someone who looked like one of the runners, pleading with the security man.
“Hi.” Jess smiled politely. “I’m Jess Bradley. I’m troubleshooting for Blue Star Studios on behalf of the Charleston Group. How can I help?”
The other woman looked relieved as she secured her long blonde hair quickly into a ponytail. “I’m Leah Davis, one of the ADs.”
“Okay.” Jess flicked a quick look at the security guard. “Did you forget your pass?”
Leah flushed. “I lost it a week ago.” She gave the guard a sheepish look. “The other guy knew me so I didn’t think it really mattered.”
