Page 92 of Between Never and Forever
I’m glad I’m getting the sobbing out of the way on the first day. Then I can focus on the shit I’m comfortable with—sex and betrayal.
“Alright, hun,” Pax says, standing back and clapping his hands. “Off to wardrobe you go. Try not to touch your face or hair, okay? But if you do, we’ll be around to touch you up.”
I push up from the salon chair and Ziggy stands with me, barreling through all our feet and skidding to a halt at the trailer door.
“Sorry,” I say, flashing Ziggs a scowl as I make my way to the door. “She’s rude.”
I reach for the door just as it swings open, revealing my co-star, Paul Northwood, standing in all his broad-chested glory. Paul is a seasoned pro with two Oscar nominations, and he won an Emmy for the few years he spent on one of America’s longest running soaps. We met briefly, albeit digitally, for the table read a few months ago, but I haven’t talked to him since.
“Sav,” he says with a smile, stepping backward off the trailer steps and offering a hand for me to climb down.
I take it even though I don’t need it.
“I was hoping to run into you this morning. Have you been here long?”
“Since about 4:30,” I tell him honestly, then laugh at his grimace. I gesture to my tattoos and hair, and he nods.
“Almost didn’t recognize you. Brown hair suits you.”
“I’d hope so,” I say with a smirk. “It’s what I was born with.”
“Huh.” Paul drags his eyes over my hair, then my face, taking note of my dark eyebrows and eyelashes, before landing back on my eyes. “I can see it.”
“I’m headed to wardrobe,” I tell him.
He’s already dressed in suit pants and a button down, so I’m assuming he’s already been. I gesture to the door I just came out of.
“You in here long?”
“Not as long as you,” he says with a chuckle. “No ink or wigs for me.”
“Okay, well, have fun. See you out there.”
Paul gives me another of his charming smiles, reminding me again why most of the world is in love with him. He really is a beautiful man. Very rugged in build and stature, but his facial features are softer. His skin glows. His lips have the perfect pout. His dark brown hair has that attractive tousled look, and his dark brows and eyelashes make his bright blue eyes pop.
The girlies go gaga for him, and I can honestly see why.
He also has a reputation of being a perfect gentleman. Vocal about human rights, respectful of his castmates, and loves his mom. He even graduated valedictorian from high school despite his budding acting career.
Like, damn. I’m basically co-stars with Hollywood’s idea of perfection.
I snort as I slide into the passenger seat of Dakota’s golf cart where she, Red, and Ziggy are already waiting. I wonder how long it will take the media to run a story speculating on my scandalous relationship with my new co-star. They’d love that—Sav Loveless corrupting Hollywood’s Golden Boy. That article would break the internet.
I stay in my thoughts as Dakota zips to wardrobe, which is a much larger trailer than hair and makeup. This one almost looks like a giant shipping container, and there are no skylights.
I’m introduced to the crew and walked through my wardrobe changes for the movie. I relax when I learn that I’ll be wearing the same outfit for most of filming. Or, one of the several identical copies of the same outfit, anyway. My time in wardrobe is much shorter than my time in makeup. I was already measured and fitted last month in L.A., so all they have to do is double check that everything is the same, dress me, and send me on my merry way.
When the golf cart rounds the corner and the set on the back lot comes into view, my jaw drops. It’s absolutely stunning. It looks like a small Italian village just popped up out of the ground in eastern North Carolina. I’ve been to Italy six times, once for each of our world tours, but I never really got to visit. Not much time to be a tourist when you’re playing shows every night and sleeping while in transit between cities.
“Oh my god,” I breathe out, and Dakota laughs.
“It’s beautiful, right? It’s easily one of the best sets we’ve had in the studio the whole time I’ve worked here.” She pulls the golf cart up behind some lighting equipment and throws it in park. “Plus, the guy who owns the construction company is just as beautiful as the set. Definitely didn’t mind watching him work.”
I laugh and smirk at her.
“Let me guess. Backwards ball cap, tattered blue jeans, and a tool belt with a—” I use my hands to measure out about a foot “—big hammer?”
She smirks back and raises an eyebrow, then reaches up and slowly moves my hands a few more inches apart. I bark out a laugh, and I hear Red sigh with annoyance.
