Page 2 of Claiming Charity

Hopefully, this job will lead to more regular work in the industry I love, one that supports me, my dyslexia notwithstanding.

As I walk around the set, I see Jackson, the stunt coordinator, enter and head toward Ryder. Ryder is dressed in all black, his muscles bulging under his shirt. My heart races at the sight of him, and I remind myself to keep my cool. Even so, I find myself stealing glances at him every few seconds. As if sensing my stare, his piercing gaze surveys the area before it lands on me, and my knees turn to butter. He looks edible, with his dark hair and sharp jawline accentuated by a hint of stubble.

Sucking in a breath, I force my eyes away.

Focus, Pine.

Luke's voice whispers through my mind. He always called me by my last name when my attention wavered as he helped me with my reading.

I pull my long blonde hair onto the top of my head in a messy bun held together with a pencil and head onto the set with my arms full of boxes.

Chapter Two

Ryder

I’m eating a turkey club from the long table with cold-cut sandwiches and bottled drinks when my friend, Jackson Reed, saunters in. He’s got a face like a smacked ass and looks like he wants to be at this meeting even less than I do.

A few years older than me, Jackson is also an ex-SEAL, and our friendship is forged in fire and loyalty. He didn’t know Luke like I did, but he knew what happened and was there for me during a dark time. Jackson listened to me as I ranted, raved, and demanded to know why Luke gave his life for me and why I wasn’t enough for Jennie.

In hindsight, her cheating on me was a good thing. We wouldn’t have worked because I didn’t love her. I didn’t realize it then, but I was seeking solace in the arms of the wrong woman because the woman I truly wanted was off-limits. Would always be off-limits because Luke already gave his life for me—I couldn’t screw up his sister’s life too.

Jackson is among Hollywood’s most respected stunt coordinators and one of the reasons I’m here at the studios today—although once I knew Charity was on staff, it didn’t take too much convincing. Jackson did me a solid by recommending my company, Thorne Operations, to the studio owner, and I’m now contracted to provide security services for the movie's duration. I take my job seriously and have already familiarized myself with the floor plan, the entrances and exits, and everyone working on this movie.

Jackson grabs a cookie shaped like a candy cane and shoves it in his mouth. The man is a terror for anything sweet and sugary.

“You look thrilled to be here,” I say sardonically.

We’re near the back of the room, and the director, Luca Regis, is talking with one of the executive producers near the stage.

Jackson drags a chair over and slumps down heavily into it. He lets out a long sigh before answering. “Meetings are boring,” he states. “I don’t have any stunts planned for the rest of the day, so I could pick up Cam if I didn’t have to stick around for this.”

I frown. “Pick her up? Shouldn’t she be at home with the nanny?”

Jackson shakes his head. “Ms. Young has her family in town for the holiday, so she can’t come to my place like she usually does. Luckily, the woman loves Cam like she’s one of her grandkids, so she’s happy to watch her at her house.”

Jackson is a single parent to his ten-year-old daughter, Cam. He’s devoted to his little girl, but I’ve seen how tough it’s been for him over the years, juggling his responsibilities as a father with his career and suitable childcare for Cam.

“How’s your Christmas shopping coming along?” I ask with a knowing smirk. I remember last year when Jackson was out shopping for gifts for Cam on Christmas Eve, cursing himself for leaving it so late.

“I’ll have you know that I’m finished with it.” He grins, grabbing another cookie off the plate. “I got started in October this time. No more holiday shenanigans for me. I’m going to finish this movie and relax.”

The studio owner, Julianna Kensington, clears her throat and starts the meeting, cutting our conversation short. I listen with one ear, casting my gaze around the various actors and crew gathered for this impromptu movie.

I’m so absorbed in my thoughts that I almost miss Julianna’s announcement that Hailey Walker will be replacing the previous assistant director, whose wife went into premature labor.

“Hailey Walker . . .” I glance at Jackson, who looks shocked. “Isn’t that—"

“Yes,” he cuts me off, his mouth tight. “It’s her.”

“The woman you were crazy about all those years ago?” I ask, keeping my voice low. “That was when you first got into the business, right?”

“Yeah.”

“The one you haven’t stopped obsessing over?”

“I’m not obsessed,” he says harshly, glaring at me. He takes a breath and softens his tone. “I think about her from time to time. That’s all.”

“How do you feel about her taking over for Bryce?”

---