Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 585(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 585(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
“Problem?” I ask.
William Walker’s back stiffens at the sound of my voice. Seeing me, he coughs, ums and ahs a little. “Looking for loading bays K to M,” he says, returning his focus to the map.
I throw the rest of my coffee in the bin next to the exit doors. “It’s right round the other side,” I tell him. “I’ll show you.”
“Oh.” He sounds surprised. By the location or my offer of help, I can’t decide. “Thanks.”
I start walking towards the buggies, William trailing behind. “This’ll be quicker,” I tell him, hopping behind the wheel before patting the padded bench next to me.
He takes a seat, folds the map and stuffs it back in his trouser pocket. “Reckon I could be here a year and still not see every part of this place.”
“Aye,” I agree, scoffing. “It’s huge alright. Few more weeks and you’ll know it like the back of your hand.”
“You’ve been here a lot then? Filmed a lot of stuff here?”
I nod, keeping my eyes on the grounds ahead as I drive us forward. “It’s the biggest studio in Europe. Anything and everything is filmed here.”
“That’s crazy,” he mutters quietly, so quietly I’m not sure it was for me.
“You think there’s a bigger one?”
“Oh, no. I meant… Sorry, I just had a bit of a I’m riding with a movie star moment.”
I force a chuckle, but something pangs in my chest. I don’t want him to see me as the movie star. “When there are no cameras around, I’m just Laurie.”
We arrive at the loading bays.
“Right. Of course. Well, thanks again,” he says before jumping out of the buggy.
“Anytime.”
He doesn’t reply to that. Simply turns and walks off to where he needs to be. I take a moment to watch him, admire the view, the way his cargo pants fit so perfectly snug to his arse. No harm in window shopping.
Until a thump on the top of the buggy almost makes me choke on my stomach.
“Andy, what the hell?”
“Nice to see you looking out for him,” Andy says, appearing at my side, right where William had been not a minute earlier. “How’s he settling in?”
“Dunno. Just gave him a lift to the loading bays, that’s all. He couldn’t find ‘em.”
“Nice of you.”
“I’m a nice guy.”
“He’s a straight guy. A married guy.”
What? “Good for him. Your point?”
Andy shrugs. “Not often you see cast members ferrying juicers around in a buggy that’s all. We have runners for that.”
“Oh, so because I did a decent thing for a guy you introduced me to, that means I want to shag him? Dinnae talk pish, Andy.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You implied it.”
He holds his hands up. “I did. You’re right. I’m sorry. Maybe I saw something that wasn’t there.”
Like me checking out his arse… “He’s a good-looking man. You telling me you cannae appreciate a nice woman even though you have Yana?”
“I said I’m sorry. Just looking out for you, kid.”
Bit dramatic, though I don’t say it. He’s talking like I’m about to get my heart broken by this practical stranger with the fine arse. Not likely. Regardless of William’s sexuality and marital status, I don’t do relationships. Once was enough. Cain Morrison was enough. He was the only man I’ve ever loved…or thought I did. I wonder now if I was simply infatuated by the attention he offered. He smothered me with affirmations, gifts, affection. Made me feel like no one or nothing else mattered to him as much as me in the world. It’s exciting, addictive, feeling that special. That important. Despite being early in my career, I was willing to risk the significant roles and the progression I was working hard for to go public, declare my love for him to the world.
Fortunately, I discovered just in time that he was only with me for my connections. I was a rung on his ladder, something for him to grab onto while he climbed over me. As soon as I secured him a successful audition, he changed. The affection stopped. The loving whispers and, eventually, his time. He was gone from my life altogether a month later. I think the humiliation hurt more than the crack in my heart, but I learned my lesson. Love, or whatever it was, isn’t worth it. I still date on occasion, but mostly, I have a trusted list of friends with certain benefits. Like Silvio.
“Why’d you hire him?” I ask, for no other reason than curiosity.
“I’ve told you before,” Andy says. “My gut. In all the time he’s been doing work in my house, he’s never been late. He cleans up after himself. I trust him around my belongings. I don’t like what this country’s doing to hard working fellas like him at the minute. Saw an opportunity to offer him a break, did my bit.”
“Well, you needn’t worry. I think the guy thinks I’m a twat anyway.”