His Larkville Cinderella

chapter TEN



PRODUCTION was halfway over. Shooting continued amid delays, including an unexpected rain shower on a day scheduled for an outdoor scene. Script changes slowed. The shoot would be moving on location shortly. That would mix things up a bit and make this bubble world of the set even smaller.

Adam was looking forward to getting away from the lot. Being on location meant fewer distractions. More time to spend with Megan.

He exited the set following a close-up shot, his eyelids heavy and his feet dragging. He had an hour and a half break. He wanted to make the most of it. No video games, no phone calls, no texts. His assistant, Veronica, was making sure his bed was turned down and a white-noise machine running.

Napping wasn’t his usual way to relax on the set, but a fling wasn’t happening. At least not with the one woman he wanted. No one else interested him as much. At least he had a new friend.

“Adam.” One of the grips ran up to him. “Chas is looking for you.”

Damn. Adam didn’t want to waste his break talking to the producer. Now if it were Megan... He would see her at lunch. Mealtimes were their main time together. It reminded Adam a little of high school, except students got some action. He wasn’t getting any—no kisses or hand-holding even. But celibacy was turning out to be good for his acting. He could almost taste a nomination. “Tell Chas I’m getting a cup of coffee.”

Adam trudged his way to the food and drinks table. He yawned, fighting a bone-weary tiredness that had set in over the past week and a half. A busy schedule and sleepless nights didn’t go well together.

He downed half a cup of coffee. Maybe that would wake him up. Though it might wreak havoc with his nap.

“Looks like you could use a jolt of caffeine.” Chas joined him at the coffee station. “Or a nap.”

“Between the shoot and PR for the SEALs film, I don’t have time to breathe.” Adam had been running from one thing to the next, wherever he was told to go. The one constant amid all the chaos was Megan. She was always on his mind, day or night, awake or asleep. A little weird considering he’d kissed her only once. An air of mystery hovered around her. Maybe it was because they hadn’t slept together. But with only a few weeks left of the shoot he wasn’t going to analyze it too much. “I’ve lost track of the number of radio phone-in interviews I’ve done.”

“Keep up whatever you’re doing. The dailies look great,” Chas said. “Everyone thinks I’m a genius for wanting you to play Maxwell.”

Adam drank more coffee. The strong, hot drink tasted good going down his throat. “I never did ask why you were so set on me for the part.”

“My wife,” Chas admitted. “She’s been a big fan ever since Neptune.”

That one role had changed everything for him. He hoped bigger things happened with this film. “So she’s the true genius.”

Chas nodded. “And she knows it, too.”

The sound of wheels rolling on the asphalt made Adam glance to his left. Megan pushed a clothing rack to the costume department. A camera bag hung off her shoulder. Worn jeans hugged her thighs like a second skin. A scooped-neck burgundy shirt with a sleeveless sweater over it complimented her ivory skin. More stylish than a plain T-shirt. If only she’d wear her hair down instead of clipped on the top of her head...

Megan’s gaze met his.

Her beaming smile took his breath away. He waved, then watched the gentle sway of her hips as she passed by.

Chas tsked. “Texas, huh? I had no idea.”

Adam’s gaze jerked from Megan’s retreating backside to the producer. “What was that about Texas?”

“I didn’t realize the two of you were an item.”

Unease slithered down his spine. “We’re not.”

“Could have fooled me the way her eyes lit up when she saw you.”

Yeah, they had lit up. He’d noticed that a couple of times. Her smile seemed wider and brighter. It didn’t mean anything. She must be getting excited about the Viewers’ Choice Awards on Saturday night. Adam was looking forward to it. He’d been nominated, but he wanted to see Megan all dressed up and walking down the red carpet. “We’re friends.”

They were friends. Except when was the last time Adam had wanted to see a friend so much or thought about a friend all the time or dreamed about them? Hot dreams. Naked dreams. He gulped.

Chas winked. “I know what kind of friend you are, one who funds shopping sprees after a night of hot monkey sex. No wonder you’re so tired lately.”

The producer’s wink-wink, nudge-nudge tone bothered Adam. He didn’t like the insinuation that Megan might be trading sex for clothes. “We’re friends, period. No sex or shopping sprees.”

Chas shrugged. “Well, given the way she looks at you, if you want her, she won’t put up much of an argument.”

A weight pressed down on the center of Adam’s chest. “Megan might surprise you.”

She had surprised him. He knew the kind of romantic relationship Megan wanted. It was one hundred and eighty degrees different from what he wanted.

Maybe there was some middle ground where they both could be satisfied with more than their friendship right now. Or maybe things would continue as they were until production shut down and that would be it. They would say goodbye and move on to their next projects without looking back on what might have been. The thought of not talking to or seeing her again bummed him out. He drank the rest of his coffee.

“Hugh wants to see you,” Chas said.

An image of Rhys Rogers dressed as a clown, complete with red nose and frizzy orange wig, performing at a kid’s birthday party appeared in Adam’s mind. Dread coupled with a sense of foreboding knotted his gut. “Hugh’s never wanted to see me before.”

Chas nodded. “Don’t worry.”

“Easy for you to say. You aren’t the one rolling around in bed with Hugh’s fiancée.”

During yesterday’s love scene shoot, Lane had her hands all over Adam. If she’d become Calliope and gotten wrapped up in the moment, he wouldn’t have minded so much. But what she did had nothing to do with acting like a husband and wife making love and everything to do with Lane being a sexual predator and him her prey. Damon had been pleased with the shot, but no one, not even the watchful director, knew what Lane had been trying to do to Adam under the sheets.

Talk about awkward. He was relieved that Megan hadn’t been allowed on the closed set. Nonessential crew members were kept out during sex scene shoots. A good thing because Adam hadn’t wanted Megan to feel uncomfortable about his acting with Lane.

“I’m serious. No worries,” Chas said. “Hugh has a favor to ask. That’s all.”

The studio head was rich and powerful. Adam had nothing Hugh would want or need. “When and where does he want to see me?”

“Now. In his office.”

So much for a nap. Adam tossed his cup into the trash can. “Leave it to Hugh to know this is my biggest chunk of free time until lunch.”

“He knows everything that happens around here.”

Adam wondered if Hugh knew what his fiancée was up to, even when the cameras were rolling. Somehow Adam doubted it.

“Hugh always reciprocates favors,” Chas said in a low voice. “He’s a good person to have in your debt.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Five minutes later, Adam entered Hugh Wilstead’s office. Floor-to-ceiling windows along the back wall overlooked the entire lot. Movie posters covered the other walls along with a USC pennant and a Stanford flag. Framed photographs and awards filled bookshelves. Impressive.

“Hello, Adam.” Hugh rose from behind a giant mahogany desk with a telephone and a laptop on top. The studio head wore a gray suit, yellow tie and white button-down shirt. Except for the patch of gray hair at his temple, he looked to be in his mid-thirties. He shook Adam’s hand firmly. “Thanks for stopping by. The shoot is going well.”

Adam nodded. “Solid script. Talented cast. Great crew. You’re going to have a winner on your hands.”

“I like your confidence.” Hugh motioned to a black leather chair. “Sit.”

Adam did.

Hugh sat and leaned back in his chair. “I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. I have to be in Europe this weekend. A meeting I can’t get out of.”

Adam had no idea what this had to do with him, but Hugh didn’t sound pleased. “That’s too bad.”

“Lane is not happy about it,” Hugh said. “When she’s not happy, everyone around her will be unhappy.”

So that explained Lane’s tantrum this morning. At least it hadn’t been because Adam had turned her down. Again. “We don’t want Lane unhappy.”

“That’s why I need a favor.”

Adam should have known this “favor” might have something to do with Lane. He doubted Hugh would want him to sleep with his fiancée. The guy didn’t look like the type who shared his toys. But Hugh Wilstead was someone you wanted in your corner. Especially if they owed you a favor, as Chas had mentioned. “I’m happy to help out, what do you need?”

“The Viewers’ Choice Awards are Saturday night. Lane’s nominated,” Hugh said. “I’d like you to escort her to the event, as a personal favor to me.”

No freaking way. Adam’s stomach roiled at the thought of spending the evening with Lane instead of Megan. “I have a date.”

Hugh straightened. “That does complicate matters.”

Adam nodded. He remembered the excitement dancing in Megan’s pretty brown eyes when he’d invited her. He couldn’t wait to show her the glamorous side of the movie industry. “She’s excited to go. I would hate to let her down.”

“No doubt,” Hugh agreed. “But this is just one awards show. There will be others.”

Not for months. Who knew where either of them would be by then? He couldn’t imagine them together, but the thought of not being with Megan made Adam shift in his seat. He liked having her around.

Hugh’s gaze hardened. “You’re a smart man. You’ll think of a way to make it up to her. The way I’ll make it up to you.”

The carrot dangled. The consequences of saying no to Hugh weighed on Adam’s mind as much as the benefit of saying yes. He’d worked hard to get where he was. He didn’t want to derail the momentum of his career over something like this.

But he couldn’t stop thinking about Megan. She would be disappointed and rightly so. He took a deep breath, feeling trapped. No matter what he decided someone wouldn’t be happy. Someone would be hurt. He didn’t want that person to be Megan.

A few weeks ago, he would have said yes to Hugh without any hesitation. But the thought of hurting her tightened a vice grip around Adam’s heart. She’d come to mean a lot to him. The depth of his feelings for her took him by surprise.

“This is a difficult spot to be in,” Hugh continued. “We never want to let down the women we love.”

Whoa. Adam clutched the chair arms. Hugh might love Lane, but Adam didn’t love Megan. Okay, he liked her. Megan was nice. Pretty. Hot. He enjoyed kissing her and being with her. He cared what happened to her. But nothing would ever come of it. She wouldn’t be around for long. No one ever was.

Friendship was one thing. But love...

No way. He didn’t love anybody. Except his mom. And that hadn’t always turned out so well with men flitting in and out of their lives. Love was uncertain, out of control and left you hurting when it went south. Which it always did.

Why would anyone want to fall in love?

He didn’t plan on it, but Megan...

I want my first time to be with someone I love and trust and who feels the same way about me.

She wanted to be in love, but that didn’t mean she’d fallen for him?

Could have fooled me the way her eyes lit up when she saw you.

Well, if you want her, it doesn’t look like she’ll put up much of an argument.

Chas noticing those things about Megan bothered Adam. He didn’t want a relationship or a girlfriend. He didn’t want any sort of attachments to slow down his career or put his heart at risk.

Or hers.

Megan had her whole life ahead of her and big plans, ones that would take her away from him. If she’d developed romantic feelings for him, then his not taking her to the awards ceremony would be a good thing for both their sakes. Neither of them could afford to get in too deep.

“You and Lane attending the awards will drum up early publicity for the movie,” Hugh added. “It will help your SEALs film, too.”

Adam found himself nodding, ignoring the voice inside his head reminding him about Megan. He’d promised her a good time. He hated breaking his promises. He remembered how badly it stung when his mother broke hers.

Hugh steepled his hands. “So I can count on you for Saturday.”

It wasn’t a question. Adam thought about Megan. Her expressive eyes told him what she was feeling. Her smile warmed his heart. The sound of her laughter brightened his day. The intoxicating scent of her made him dizzy with desire. With all those things in mind, Adam knew exactly what he needed to do about the awards ceremony.

“Yes, you can count on me,” he said. “I’ll take Lane to the Viewers’ Choice Awards.”

That would slow down whatever this thing was he had for Megan and keep it from going any further than friendship. He didn’t like the way he kept reacting to whatever she said or did. Or the way she could always sense how he was feeling. He didn’t like the way he felt off-balance when he was with her and unsettled when he wasn’t.

This was for the best. Even if Adam wasn’t looking forward to having to tell Megan.

* * *

In Lane Gregory’s dressing room, Megan secured a diamond-encrusted watch on the actress’s slim wrist. She double-checked to make sure it was fastened correctly. Dressing actresses sure beat being stuck fixing broken zippers or doing laundry after everyone went home. “Is that too tight?”

Lane moved her wrist back and forth. Her lips were set in a frown, and she’d been snapping since they arrived. “No.”

While Kenna kneeled on the ground fixing the hem of Lane’s skirt, Megan checked the photograph showing what the actress had worn when the previous scene had been shot. Hair, earrings, scarf, blouse, jacket, watch, wedding ring, skirt, belt, shoes.

Scenes weren’t shot in chronological order. Lane had worn this costume last week. Everything had to be the same as then.

Megan checked the photograph again. “The scarf knot is on the wrong side.”

Kenna stood. “I’ll fix it. Get me some double-stick tape.”

Megan rummaged through their supplies of safety pins, needles, glue and anything else that might come in handy to find. A cell phone buzzed.

“Someone get that for me,” Lane said.

Megan grabbed the phone off a table, then handed it to her.

As the actress read the text, her features relaxed. The frown disappeared. “Thank heavens, he came through for me.”

Megan glanced at Kenna, who shrugged.

Lane handed the phone back to Megan. “Thanks, sweetie.”

Definitely in a better mood after that text message. Megan placed the phone back on the table. “Good news?”

“Yes.” Lane checked her reflection in the mirror. “I’ve been so upset since I found out my fiancé couldn’t take me to the Viewers’ Choice Awards.”

Hearing the words Viewers’ Choice Awards sent a thrill shooting through Megan. She couldn’t wait to go. Not only to see what an awards show was like, but to spend quality time with Adam. She saw him only if their breaks and mealtimes coincided. His days off were full of personal appearances for his upcoming movie release. They might be just friends, but she missed him when they were apart.

Adam starred in her dreams. He’d pushed Rob out of her mind and made her wonder if her heart had truly ever belonged to her best friend. Or if her dreams about Rob had been one big schoolgirl fantasy she’d clung to into adulthood.

Not that she was ready to give her heart to Adam. But the thought of kissing him again had been on her mind.

“You’re nominated for an award,” Kenna said.

“Best actress.” Lane shimmied her shoulders, sending the scarf every which way. A good thing they had tape to secure it in place. “But my dearest, devoted Hugh came through for me.”

Megan handed Kenna the tape. “He isn’t going away?”

“He’s still going, but he’s found the perfect man to escort me to the awards ceremony.” A canary-eating grin settled on Lane’s face. “Adam.”

Megan’s heart slammed against her chest. She clutched the back of a chair to keep her knees from buckling. Not her Adam. She wanted to tell Lane she was wrong. Lane had to be wrong. “Adam?”

Lane laughed. “Adam Noble. You know, my costar and leading man.”

I’m a leading man, not a best friend. You’d be wise to remember that.

His words echoed through Megan’s head. But that didn’t mean... It couldn’t...

Adam had invited her. He’d asked Eva’s permission. The entire costume department knew. There had to be some sort of mistake. “I—”

Kenna touched Megan’s shoulder and sent her a compassionate yet pointed look.

“I’m sure you’ll have a great time,” Kenna said.

“With Adam as my date, I know I will.” Lane looked at Megan. “Did you have something to say, Texas?”

“I, um, hope you win.”

Lane pushed her blond hair behind her shoulders. “Me, too.”

Hurt swirled through Megan, making her throat burn and her eyes sting. Adam had promised her a good time. He’d promised.

He probably figured since they were just friends, she would understand why he couldn’t take her. That he had to put his career first over a friend, a woman he wasn’t sleeping with. A woman who was nothing compared to a glamorous actress like Lane Gregory.

Anger burned. Megan couldn’t believe Adam hadn’t called her first and at least asked if she minded or cared. But he hadn’t. Of course not. He was the star. Adam Noble could do whatever he wanted. And had.

Worse, this hurt more than anything with Rob ever had. Pathetic. She should have stuck to crushing on him. It might not have gone anywhere, Rob might not have made her heart go pitter-pat like Adam, but at least she wouldn’t have felt like someone had done jumping jacks on her chest.

Megan wondered what excuse Adam would give her for taking Lane to the awards. She couldn’t wait to find out, but one thing was certain. She doubted whatever he told her would be the truth.

* * *

A knock sounded at Adam’s trailer door. He grimaced. The last thing he wanted was any company. He needed to figure out what to say to Megan. If only Veronica hadn’t stepped out...

Another knock.

Adam opened the door. “Megan?”

Her mouth was set in a firm line. “May I come in?”

He motioned her inside. “What’s going on?”

She took a breath, then exhaled slowly. “Lane told me you’re taking her to the Viewers’ Choice Awards.”

Damn. He hadn’t expected that to happen. “I was going to tell you.”

“Then it’s true?”

The disappointment in her voice hit Adam harder than a left hook to his jaw. He felt like a jerk, a selfish jerk who had made a decision solely on what he wanted and felt.

But it was for the best. He would only end up hurting Megan more in the long run. Better now while her heart wasn’t tied too tightly to him. Or his...

No, that wouldn’t happen. His heart was safe. He made sure it was always safe.

He moistened his dry lips. “Yes, it’s true.”

The color drained from her face. “I...”

Adam hated seeing her like this. The last time she’d stood in his trailer they’d kissed. He wished they could go back to that time. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way. I was going to tell you at lunch.”

Flames flickered in her eyes. “That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

He met her gaze. He knew she’d be upset. Now he had to own up to it. “No.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s not you...” As soon as he said the words he knew he shouldn’t have said them. Not only because they were cliché, but also because they were a lie. His going with Lane had as much to do with Megan as it did Hugh Wilstead. Adam’s mouth tasted like sand. “Lane’s fiancé is a powerful man.”

“I might be only an intern, but I know all about Hugh Wilstead.”

“Then you know when he asks you to do something, you do it or pay the consequences,” Adam explained. “I’ve worked too hard to get where I am to screw up everything now by refusing.”

She raised her chin. “So you did this for your career?”

Not completely. A Golden Globe−size lump of guilt lodged in his throat. No way could he tell her the entire reason, of how her feelings and his had played into his decision-making. He’d been more open with Megan than any other woman—person—in his life. But he wasn’t going to share that. He...couldn’t.

“This is how Hollywood works,” he explained instead. “Costars go to awards shows and premieres together. Some go as far as pretending to date. It’s part of show business.”

She didn’t say anything, but blinked. Her eyes glistened.

Damn, he didn’t want her to cry. “I know how much you wanted to go to the awards. You can still go. I’ll get you a ticket.”

She shook her head. “I want to go to the awards, but I wanted to go with you.”

Her disillusionment in him was clear. He’d let her down. Big-time. But it couldn’t be helped.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

A shopping spree on Rodeo Drive would be good. She liked clothes. He would love to see her try on some sexy cocktail dresses and a bikini or two.

Love?

No, he wouldn’t like that. Veronica could take her shopping instead.

Megan arched a brow. “Like you promised me I’d have a good time at the awards ceremony? No thanks.”

His gut clenched. “Megan...”

“Eva was right about actors playing by different rules.”

“I said I was sorry, what else do you want from me?”

“Nothing,” she said firmly. “I get being friends with the costume intern is awkward. But I thought that was okay because you seemed more grounded than some of the other talent on the set. But I realize you live in one world. I live in another. Maybe we would have been better off keeping it that way.”

“That might have been the smart thing to do, but we didn’t.”

“We still could.”

“No.” The word rushed from his mouth before he knew what he was saying.

“Why not?” She eyed him curiously. “It’s not like we’re BFFs.”

They weren’t, but Adam didn’t want to say goodbye to her. “We’re still friends.”

“Are we?” Confusion filled her voice. Her lower lip trembled. “The truth is, I’ve been wondering whether we could be more than friends. But now I realize how foolish that line of thinking was.”

Damn. Letting her go was the best thing Adam could do for both of them, but that didn’t stop him from reaching for her. “Megan.”

She backed away. “There’s nothing left for us to say.”

With that, she exited his trailer.

He plopped into a chair, feeling more alone than he’d ever felt in his life.