Chapter Six

 

“Good morning,” Josh whispered in my ear.

I opened my eyes to the sunlight blasting through the bedroom window, and to Josh, who leaned over my shoulder, kissing my bare skin.

“Good morning,” I said softly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“What time is it?” I mumbled through a deep yawn.

“Seven,” he replied, and then jumped up from the bed, leaving my back empty and cold.

I shuddered. “I have to leave in an hour,” I whined, hating that I couldn’t stay and enjoy breakfast.

“Breakfast is already made. Get your shower, and come down for coffee and waffles,” he said cheerfully. How did I get so lucky?

I stretched my body, pushing my hands into the headboard. I couldn’t remember the last time I woke up so satisfied and relaxed.

The shower did its job, waking me up quickly with the lukewarm water splashing into my face. The scent of lavender was thick on my body as the oil washed away with the body wash. I quivered from the memory of our night. So passionate, so sensual. There was something more to what we were doing. It wasn’t just sex. It was much, much more.

The smell of coffee and bacon rolled up the stairs as I opened the bedroom door. Lisa’s wild laugh sounded like a semi’s horn, startling me as I took my first step down towards the delicious scent, and boisterous noise.

“Good morning,” Lisa chimed, smiling from ear to ear.

It was easy to see she was smitten with Josh as she batted her eyelashes in his direction, and laughed at everything he said. Oh, brother!

I moved towards Josh, wrapping my arms around his waist and tip-toeing to reach his lips for a quick kiss. My head rested on his chest after my kiss, turning to Lisa and giving her the ‘he’s mine’ look, to which she rolled her eyes and smiled.

“This looks amazing,” I said, looking at the spread Josh had created.

Belgian waffles, strawberries, whipped cream, and bacon were plated on the counter next to the freshly brewed pot of coffee. “Eat,” he insisted, pulling out a chair for me at the kitchen table.

“I’m so glad our house burnt down,” Lisa laughed.

I gave her a smirk, knowing that if Tamara heard that remark, she’d come unglued. She’d loved that house. It was her first adult purchase; even though she needed three other roommates to help her pay the mortgage, it was hers.

“Where is everyone?” I asked as Josh slipped a mug of hot coffee in front of me.

The mug was so warm and inviting on my hands as they gripped it, and the smell of the coffee so strong, it immediately perked me up.

“Tamara had an early shoot, and Amy stayed at Maria’s,” Lisa announced. “I’ve gotta run. Thank you for the breakfast, Josh. Good luck today, Emily,” she said as she grabbed another slice of bacon and rushed out the front door.

“You didn’t have to do all this,” I smiled at Josh.

“I love seeing you smile,” he replied, with a grin of his own.

Damn, just hearing that ‘L’ word gave me chills and made my heart race.

“I have to head to the station today to prep for the fundraiser next week,” he said quickly, as if he just realized he had things to do today.

“Fundraiser?” I asked.

“Yes. Why don’t you come? In fact, you should all come,” he insisted.

“I would love to. I’m sure the girls would too,” I said, loving the chance to use the ‘L’ word with him.

“It’s a week from today,” he said.

“Okay. Well, you can give me the details when you have time,” I said, shoving a piece of bacon into my mouth.

The waffle was too good to leave behind, so even after Josh kissed me goodbye and took off for the station, I stayed and finished it. I savored every last bite.

The movie set was just as I’d left it: chaotic, exhausting, and crowded. Cameramen, makeup artists, actors, extras, sound people, the director, and a handful of others were all clamoring around the set as I walked in, ready to start my day.

But there was nothing that could ruin my mood, no way. Last night had been too perfect. This morning was too perfect. I only wished every night and every day could be just like that.

The big scene for the day was my first abuse scene, getting hit hard in the face and then tossed onto the floor by my on-screen husband. It was unbelievable how upset it really got me, just to play the part of the abused woman. My insides were twisted, my brain throbbing, and my entire body ached from the stress I couldn’t seem to shake.

“That was great,” the director said, directly to me.

Instantly, my aches began to ease up, my brain felt the release of tension, and stomach was soothed. “That’s all for today,” he announced to the grumbles of some through the crowds of people.

I was relieved. Josh was off work today, other than the fundraiser prepping. I was looking forward to spending a day with him.

“Can you meet me for a late lunch?” I asked when Josh answered my phone call.

“I would love too,” he said, using that ‘L’ word once again and making my heart flutter.

I picked a place near the fire station, and quickly got out of wardrobe before heading that way.

The weather had finally offered a break from the heat, cooling to a content sixty-five. My radio blared a Lady Gaga song as I drove along the palm-tree lined streets toward the restaurant I’d chosen.

Josh’s little red sports car was already in the parking lot when I pulled in, so I took the spot beside it. He was already seated at the booth by the window and tapped to wave as I walked by. My cheeks blushed red as the excitement flowed through my veins. He made me so excited, just to see him, to be near him; this was more than just fun, more than just sex. What it was, I didn’t know yet. I know what I want it be.

“Do you think it would be rude to ask Tamara to be the photographer for the fundraiser?” he asked after we ordered our food.

“Not at all, why?” I asked.

“The photographer we had just canceled. There was a pretty serious illness in the family, I guess, not sure who, or what, but it was bad enough for them to just drop us,” he said, anxiety flowing through his words.

“I’m sure she’d be happy to do it,” I said.

“Well, the thing is, it doesn’t pay much, or like anything at all,” he grinned.

“Well, it is for charity. You’ve given us a place to stay, treated us like gold—there’s no way she’d refuse,” I assured him.

“I just hate to ask someone to do something like that, especially if they think they owe it to me,” he said.

I could understand where he was coming from, but we did owe it to him. “I’ll ask her if you want,” I said.

“How about you just mention that the photographer quit, but don’t ask,” he said.

“Okay. I can do that. And I know Tamara. She’ll certainly offer,” I insisted.

“Thank you,” he said sweetly, reaching across the table and taking my hand in his.

Those blue eyes pierced into mine with that same familiar look from the night before. They were filled with an emotion, something deep and meaningful, and his lips parted again, like he was about to say something, but didn’t. Instead, he heaved a deep, soft sigh.

My entire body shook with happiness as he squeezed my hand tightly in his.

“You forgot a little makeup,” he smiled, lifting his hand to my cheek.

He smeared across my skin with his fingers, wiping away the painted on bruise that makeup artist created. “Everyone in here probably thinks I beat you,” he laughed.

He pulled his hand away slowly, and I flinched dramatically causing him to jolt back. The waitress gave him a strange glare as she placed our food on the table. “That wasn’t nice,” he whispered as she walked away.

“What are you gonna do? Hit me?” I laughed.

When the waitress came back to check how we were doing, she still gave Josh a disgusted look. I had to tell her the truth, knowing that Josh didn’t deserve that awful glare. She looked uneasy at first, like I was being forced to make up the story. I laughed, showing her the makeup smeared from my cheek, and explaining my part in the movie.

She was excited that Josh wasn’t a woman-beater, but even more excited that she was serving a movie star. Yes, she called me a movie star. Me!

It felt good to have that kind of attention, even if it was just from a waitress at the small café. She thought of me as a movie star, and once my face was on the big screen, millions of other people would, too. Well, maybe thousands.

“I have a few more things to do at the station. How about I meet you at home for a romantic dinner?” he asked.

“Yes,” I smiled. Home. I still loved the sound of that.