“Trevor, from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry. I know that those are just words but they’re all I can offer right now. I swear to you that I’ll never do anything to put you or the production at risk again. All I’m asking for is a chance.”
“Mmm hmm,” he grunted. “And what about all that stuff you said earlier? About me being the problem in our relationship?"
Dodging his attempt at trickery, I shrugged.
“I was just upset, Trevor. Really, I don’t hold you responsible for anything.”
As I looked at him, Trevor flashed a close-lipped grin at me. He stared me up and down for another moment or two before offering his verdict with a casual shrug.
“Fine,” he muttered.
“What?” I asked, as I leaned towards him. “What does ‘fine’ mean?”
“I’ll get the production back on track,” he replied. “The current project wraps next week. As soon as it does, you can come back.”
I smiled.
GREY
You know the first time you step outside of your comfort zone in life, it can be goddamn disorienting. Even in my line of work, there are always new situations coming up you’ve never encountered before. But as time goes on and you learn to handle them, well, you’re better prepared for the next one, no matter what it might be.
As for the way Maddie handled the situation with the picture, I couldn’t have been more impressed. She hadn’t come to me once during the process and hardly three weeks since our discussion on the matter, production on her movie was underway once more. In spite of all her erratic behavior, it looked as if she’d turned a corner at last.
In fact, I was proud of her and so the first chance I got to head back out to the coast and tell her, I took it. Unfortunately, it had been nearly a month since I’d last seen her, but during that time, I kept close tabs on the progress of the movie. There wasn’t much time left until they’d wrap Maddie’s scenes and be done for good.
So, before that happened, I managed to block out a bit of time. I arrived on the set during filming one afternoon and headed for her trailer. During a break she came back and after a brief greeting, we sat down to have a bite to eat when something caught my attention.
“Maddie,” I began, as I gestured towards her hand. “Where’s your engagement ring?”
She shrugged. “Oh it’s at home, in the safe. Why?”
Leaning away, I let go of my fork and it clanked against the plate.
“Why is your ring at the apartment instead of where it belongs? Namely on your goddamn finger!”
As Maddie finished chewing her food, she raised her eyebrows in surprise. Lifting her napkin to her lips, she dabbed at the corners of her mouth.
“Sweetie,” she hummed. “It’s simple. I can’t wear it during filming. If I left it in the trailer, what would happen if it got stolen? I’d never forgive myself. And anyway, what difference does it make? I haven’t told anyone we’re engaged. It would lead to nothing but questions.”
I frowned. Grabbing my napkin from my lap, I tossed it down on the table and stood. I gestured in the direction of the movie set.
“Well, so what the hell difference does it make now? Who cares if we’re engaged?”
Maddie smiled and after folding her napkin and placing it on the table, she stood and walked towards me.
“Honey,” she cooed. “Why are you getting so upset?”
I grimaced and exhaled as she spoke. Before I even realized it, Maddie stepped in my direction, pressing her body against mine. It was a goddamn pleasure to feel it. My torso flexed in response. Perhaps sensing this, Maddie snuggled up, reached towards my face and dragged her fingertips along my jawline.
I snatched her by the wrist. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing right now. I’m pissed at you.”
Innocence defined her features as she looked up at me. “What am I doing?”
“Watch it, woman.”
A small smile curled to the edges of her mouth. “Or what? Will you fire me?”
I let go of her wrist and pursed my lips as she teased.
Just then, she grabbed hold of my tie and yanked it. “Or fuck me?”
I chuckled at her confidence. Hard to deny its appeal. And yeah, even though I may have wanted to fuck her, I wasn’t about to let her dismiss this issue without discussion.
“I want you to wear your ring, Maddie,” I began. “Now I’m willing to be flexible when it comes to having it on during filming, but when you aren’t, I want it on you.”
As I spoke, she shook her head. “No, Grey. I won’t do it.”
I thinned my lips at her continuing refusal.