I WALK DOWN THE SIDEWALK to the store, knowing I should stay away, but not being able to. Last night was amazing, and I can’t keep myself away from him. I’ll just stay out of the way, quiet, and far away from Yasmin.
When I open the door, everyone stops and looks at me. I smile and wave, and then make my way to the back of the store, avoiding Antonio’s intense gaze. I quickly make the coffee and set up the tray, just like I always do. I carry it out and set it up on the table, then move to my corner.
The door opens and a delivery man enters, carrying a box. “Is Giovanna Di Palermo here?” he asks.
“I’m Giovanna.” I look at Dan. “Sorry about this. I thought I had paused all my deliveries.”
“No problem. We’re not taping for a few minutes.”
I sign the slip and then notice the sender. Michael Cochran. I smile as I take the box. “Thank you.”
I walk to the back and start to open the box. Inside is a large piece of chocolate in the shape of Switzerland. The card says, “You are my happy place. A.”
I look up at him as my eyes fill with tears. He smiles and nods. He really knows how to break a girl down. Smiling, I put the card in my pocket and carry the chocolate back to my office.
“What is it?” Melissa asks from behind.
“Chocolate.”
“Oh? Is it from Antonio?”
“Yes.”
“I could tell from the smile on your face.”
“Yeah, he’s really sweet.”
“He seems like it.” She looks behind her. “So, I don’t think you should go out front for a while.”
“Why?”
“The scene, it’s um, intimate.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’re staging it like they’re going to spend the night in the bookstore. I guess it’s like a power outage, and they’re snowed in.”
“So.”
“So, it’s a love making scene.”
“Oh.”
“I mean, you’re tougher than me, but I think that would be really hard to watch.”
“Yeah.” I think about how to handle it. “Maybe I should just go home for a while.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Thanks for the head’s up.”
“No problem.”
We walk back to the front, but it’s too late. They’ve already painted the windows to look like they’re covered in snow. Yasmin is standing with a towel wrapped around her and I imagine not much else. Antonio is nearby, shirtless, and wearing a pair of shorts. The lights are dim, and there’s a blanket and candles in the middle of the store. It magically looks like nighttime in here.
Both Yasmin and Antonio look uncomfortable. After the events of the last few days, I can imagine they are. I can’t get out of the store now. I’m trapped.
Antonio glances at me and mouths “I’m sorry” to me before turning his attention back to Dan.
Sorry for what? For doing his job? I don’t want him to feel that way.
“Action!”
Yasmin drops the towel, and I’m relieved to see she’s wearing a bra and panties. It’s not much, but at least it’s clothing. Antonio wraps his arms around her and kisses her. Her body language is tense, but visibly relaxes. He sinks to the floor, pulling her down onto the blanket. They roll around simulating passionate sex. Cameras are all around them, at every angle, and I realize how truly awkward this must be.
Antonio slides the straps of her bra down and she arches her back to meet his kisses. He cups her face and gazes into her eyes.
“I love you, Susie.”
Yasmin reacts by releasing tears. They slide down her face, and I know this is going to be an amazing scene.
“Do you mean it, Michael?”
“With all my heart.”
They kiss again until Dan calls the scene. Antonio stands up and puts distance between himself and his costar. I wait for him to steal a glance. I want to reassure him. He finally does, and I smile. “I’m okay,” I mouth to him. He shakes his head and looks down at the floor.
“That was perfect!” Dan explains. “Great job, guys! Let’s take a twenty minute break to set up for the next scene.”
Antonio walks to the coffee table, and I meet him there.
“You okay?” I ask.
“I hated doing that, and I hated even more doing it in front of you.”
“It’s your work. It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay.” He looks up at me with sad eyes. “I got through it pretending it was you again. I can’t get you out of my fucking head. Not for five minutes, Giovanna.”
“You sound upset.”
“I am.”
“I thought I was your happy place?” My voice cracks when I speak.
“You are, Gio. That’s the problem. If I’m not with you, I’m not happy anymore.”
“I don’t want to get in your way. I don’t want to ruin everything you’ve worked for.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
I nod my head. I’m destroying him.
“I do.”
I walk past him and out the door. Tears sting my eyes as I hurry back to my house. I knew I shouldn’t put my guard down. No matter what, it was always going to end in heartbreak.