Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Just a quick but needed scene.
Until Aiden got too close to Richard, who backed up. “Watch it, Tree Trunk. You’re hogging my spotlight.” He pushed him away. Aiden bumped into Maddox, who growled.
“Watch it. This is Armani.”
Bentley groaned. “Behave, you jackasses.”
“Who you calling a jackass?” Aiden responded, shoving at him.
“You.” Bentley pushed back. Aiden stumbled as Amber yelled at them to cut it out. “The scene is done. Get up here!”
But it was too late. Aiden fell into Richard, who grabbed at Maddox. He grappled at Bentley, and they all toppled into the water. Cursing and shouts filled the air. Laughter began among the crew watching the debacle.
Chaos ensued, and before I could blink, Aiden had yanked both Reid and Halton into the drink with them. Van stepped back, his hands up, refusing to be part of it. Ronan bent, laughing, extending his hand to his father, who pulled him in. That led to a free-for-all. The rest of the guys followed, pushing and shoving one another, dunking and splashing. The women ran off the dock and out of their reach. Amber jumped from her chair, marching toward the melee, and I held my breath, knowing they were all about to get a major dressing down. Except, when she bent over to scold Aiden, he wrapped a hand around her ankle and dragged her in with them. She came up sputtering, and instead of yelling and cursing them, she started to laugh and dunked Brandon, Halton’s son.
I couldn’t believe it. I walked to the edge of the dock, shaking my head. I met Van’s bemused eyes. “What idiots.”
“Are you calling me an idiot?” Amber asked, looking affronted.
“If it looks like a duck and acts like a duck…” I trailed off.
She glared then looked at Van. “Hit him.”
The water was bloody cold as I went under. But luckily, I took Van with me.
That began the most epic water fight that ever had been seen. Luckily, one of the crew was smart enough to film it, and I planned to use it one day.
It was hours before things were back to normal, and I still laughed when I thought about the grown men heading up to the winery, dripping wet and still cavorting. Their daughters and wives all looked resigned, talking among themselves about our behavior. No one paid them any mind. I chased Mila, but she refused to let me get her dress wet. I got other parts of her wet later in my trailer when I changed.
I noticed Amber trailing behind with Brandon. I had spotted them talking a lot at the brunch the week before. Seen them wander to the beach together on a walk. I had noticed him around the set even on days no extras were required.
I grinned as I wondered if the magic of this place was weaving yet another spell.
Mila’s giggle brought me back to the present.
“Things are calmer today.”
“Yes.” I finished my coffee. “We’re going to wrap this fast, Mila.”
“I know.”
“I have a few retakes to do in LA. And I have to close out my life there. End it with MJ so I can start here.”
She glanced away. “I know.”
“Will you come with me, Shortcake?”
She glanced up. “You want me to?”
“Yes.”
“I would love to.”
I picked up her hand and kissed it. “Thank you.”
“That’s a wrap!” Amber called. The crew and cast began to clap.
There was always a bittersweet feeling attached to those words. I was glad filming was over. Aside from a few retakes, maybe some ADR, my part was done. It was now up to Amber and the production crew to work their magic. That took longer than the actual filming of the movie, but I was glad this part was complete. I was anxious to move on to the next step in my life.
I hugged Lacey and shook Bradley’s hand. Embraced Amber. Then found Mila with my eyes. “Let’s hear it for the author!”
Everyone clapped and she blushed, looking pretty and bashful. I still loved the fact that she had been so comfortable with me as quickly as she had been. To the rest of the world, she was still shy and quiet. I loved knowing a side of her no one else did or ever would. That was my Mila. No one else’s.
I cupped her face and kissed her. “We’re done, Shortcake.”
“No more coffee.”
I laughed, pressing my mouth to her ear. “I’ll need coffee in bed now. Served by a sexy, naked Shortcake.”
Her blush deepened, and I kissed her again. “Time to party.”
“Privately or with the cast?”
I had to laugh. “Both.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
NICHOLAS
Mila was quiet on the flight back to LA. Jacob, Tom, and Andi traveled with us, and my future was already changing. We booked the same suite she’d had on the last trip, and I looked around with a grin. “Hotel, sweet hotel.”