Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I pulled on my jeans and shirt, then added the boots I would be wearing for the shoot today. The jeans would stay on, but I would have different shirts and hats, depending which scenes we were shooting. It was going to be another long day, but then tomorrow, the weather was going to get better so we could go back to the outdoor scenes. I preferred those.
Today was one of the pinnacle scenes between all four of us. It was intense and emotional, and I was on edge enough even though I knew my performance would be rock solid. I only hoped the rest of the cast was on cue so I could get out of here and see Kassie.
But right now, I was starving. I needed a good breakfast, and then I’d be set for a few hours. I laughed to myself as I headed to catering. I must have depleted myself with my late-night shenanigans with Kassie. The thought of her made me smile. She was a breath of fresh air in my stale life. Unexpected and, although familiar, totally different. She had changed and matured, growing more confident in herself. Yet the shy, sweet side of her was still there. Although I was certain only a few people saw that side of her.
I enjoyed being one of them.
I attacked my breakfast with gusto, going back for a second plate of eggs and bacon.
Sheri, the leading lady and costar to Carl, sidled up to me, eyeing my plate. “Careful, Oliver. No one likes a pudgy actor. Keep eating like that, and you won’t even be able to get supporting roles.”
“Not an issue for me,” I responded, trying to be polite. I wasn’t fond of Sheri, nor did I appreciate her little dig about only being a supporting role. I’d quickly discovered that she was one of those actresses who was on all the time if she thought someone was watching—probably because her real personality wasn’t overly pleasing. I had witnessed the real Sheri, and she wasn’t nice. She liked to tear people down to build herself up. Talk about them behind their backs and help spread rumors. I distanced myself on purpose, was always civil, and made sure to watch my back around her. She had burned many people. I had been surprised when Davis had told me she was who he’d cast as Carl’s love interest, but I had to admit, she played the part well on-screen.
Still, I avoided her when I could.
I returned to my seat, holding in a groan as she sat across from me. She sipped a black coffee and nibbled an egg white omelet with nothing but broccoli inside. And her toast was whole wheat and dry.
No wonder she was cranky all the time.
“Do you eat like that all the time?” she asked snidely. “Ever hear of a vegetable?”
I shook my head. “I eat fine. I’m hungry and I missed dinner.” I looked at her pointedly. “Someone kept missing their mark last night.”
She glared at me, and I wondered how much work she’d had done. She was made up and undeniably beautiful, but there was something artificial about her. I couldn’t place it, but something about the way her face never moved weirded me out a little. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but nothing else shifted.
“I was tired. I had worked all day.”
I frowned as I chewed a mouthful. “We all had, Sheri.”
She tossed her hair, looking defiant. “My part is far more complicated than yours. You ride a horse and kiss the girl. My character is torn. At a crossroads. Its emotional depth exhausts me.”
I took a sip of coffee, trying not to laugh. Her character, Camilla, was torn between lust for the man she was interviewing and the love of her on-camera career she hated the thought of having to give up to stay with him. The entire film was about choices. Love over career. Lifestyle over living. Family over outsiders. The conflict between Sierra and Colton was down-to-earth. I was a cowboy and destined to be one. I’d left her once, roaming from ranch to ranch trying to find myself, and ended up reuniting with her here and knowing what I had been searching for was right in front of me. She was afraid to trust me again, and I was ready to be in love. To commit. Ryder and Camilla’s conflict was the same yet different. He ran the ranch and lived a simple life. She was a world-renowned reporter who loved the power and success. She didn’t want to give it up and be a rancher’s wife. He couldn’t live in the city. Someone had to give, or they had to say goodbye. I was a friend to both, trying to help them figure it out, while desperately trying to keep the woman I loved from leaving me this time. There was lots of passion, heat, and chemistry on the screen, and the backdrop here made it even better.