My reflection tells me I’m every bit as tired as I look. It’s been a long day, after all.

Day four of shooting wrapped up just before midnight, and all I’m looking forward to now is a hot bath and a nice glass of wine.

I yawn and continue to remove the make up on my face.

“Hey gorgeous,” Alice comes into my trailer. I hate the way she’s still all bouncy and looks terrific.

“You ok?”

I nod and reach for some cotton buds.

“Great day today.” Alice leans against my dresser. “You should be really excited. It’s all coming along nicely.”

I gnaw at my bottom lip. She’s right, so far so good. I don’t like to tempt fate though, so I choose my words carefully. Dad was a great believer in never being too optimistic before the product is in the bag.

“It’s going along ok, I guess.”

Alice laughs.

“Like father, like daughter.”

I smile.

“I’ve got a date with Eric,” Alice changes the subject. “Will you be ok if I leave now?’

I feel a rush of gratitude for my friend. It’s nice to know someone’s looking after me.

“Sure,” I reassure her. “I’ve just got to take my make-up off and I’m out of here. You two lovebirds go and enjoy yourselves.”

Alice gives me a kiss on the cheek.

“Go,” I repeat and watch her head to the door. “And Alice, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

We both laugh.

And then she’s gone.

Once my make-up is gone, I change into t-shirt and jeans and leave. I turn out the lights of my trailer and lock the door.

It feels good to breathe the cool, crisp air of the night. After having been stuck inside all day, breathing in air-conditioned air, this is refreshing.

Slowly I walk to my car.

A low growl has me stopping in my tracks. At first, I’m not quite sure what sort of noise it is, but then I see a Porsche. Now the horn honks.

It’s Todd. He has his window down and gives me a wave.

My heart beats a little faster.

I quickly looked around. The car park is deserted. What’s he doing here? I try not to show any sign of nervousness.

The sports car draws level with me.

“Thought the director would be the last person to leave the studio.”

My imagination threatens to run away with me. Is he really smiling genuinely at me?

I try and gauge the distance to my car. I might just make it, if in case I have to run for it.

“You are right.” I hope my voice does not betray my emotional turmoil.

“Don’t think I’m here to offer you a lift, Ms. Palmer.”

He enunciates every letter of my name.

My racing heart is joined by millions of butterflies.

“I know that a Palmer always makes sure they have their own mode of transport.”

Is he laughing at me? Slowly the butterflies recede and my heart beats almost normal again.

His comment riles me. Todd Alexander really knows how to push my buttons.

I decide the best course of action is to simply ignore him. A reply would only fuel the fire and lead to who knows where.

I make a beeline for my car, taking large strides away from the actor and his toy.

Todd is calling out something to me.

I can’t hear him.

Snippets of words like “know,” “let,” “my” and “think” is all I can make out.

I keep walking. I just want to get home and relax before tomorrow—no today’s—shooting starts again.

The Porsche seems to be following me and Todd is still shouting something.

I slow down my steps, hesitating.

“What’s your answer?”

Todd is leaning with his left arm on the open window.

“My answer to what?”

If he thought I had heard anything, he’s mistaken.

“I wanted to know if you would come to have dinner with me.”

Emotions flood me, mixed emotions. My instant reaction is to say no. But something tells me to stop and think about my answer.

As if sensing my hesitation, Todd’s smile widens.

“Come on, I’m only asking you for dinner, not a commitment for life.”

I chuckle. Who knew Todd could be funny? So far, we’ve only seen the aggressive, angry Todd.

Still, I wonder how good of a move it is to agree to this dinner. I nearly thought of it in terms of a dinner date, although he hasn’t called it that.

“So, how about it? Dinner? With me?”

Before I can stop myself, I nod.

“Ok.” I add, and wonder how wise this decision will turn out to be.

I expected Todd to now drive off, victory in the bag, but he doesn’t.

In a flash, he is by my side and escorts me the last few steps to my car where he promptly holds the door open for me after I unlock it.

I slide into the driver’s seat.

For the first time, I’m acutely aware of his presence. He’s damn good looking and I have to say he smells delicious.

I turn the key.

“Thank you.” I smile and give him a little wave.

To my further surprise, Todd takes a little bow before he too goes back to his car.

My fingers drum on the steering wheel as I make my way out of the car park.

Was that wise, Ms. Palmer? my inner voice wants to know. Of course it was, I reassure it and myself.

I only agreed to have dinner with him.

Dinner will give me the opportunity to mingle with one of my leading actors of the film. And mingling with the actors is a good thing. Mingling allows us to pick each other’s brain—and other things too, a voice from somewhere pipes up.

Fool. You are a fool—that sensible part in me keeps on voicing its opinion.

If I’m honest, I have no idea why I agreed to this dinner. He must have caught me off guard. After a long day, I’m just too tired to make proper decisions.

Admit it Sophie, he’s hot and you wouldn’t mind getting to know him, my other voice interjects, and I decide to stop dwelling on the topic of Todd and the upcoming dinner.

Que Sera, Sera—what happens, happens.