MY EYE CATCHES GIOVANNA walking towards the store, and it’s like all of a sudden, she’s the only thing I can see. My attention is hers, pulling me out of the moment, wishing I could hold her again. She looks pissed, and I wonder if it’s because my arm is around Yasmin’s waist. I hope that’s the reason. I hope she’s jealous and wishes it was her standing here in my arms. I hope she wants me as much as I fucking want her.
“Antonio!” I hear my name called, pulling me back. “Is it true you have five movies scheduled for release this year?”
“Yes, it’s true.”
“How do you keep from burning out?”
“I love what I do. It keeps me going.”
“Are you excited to be teamed up with Yasmin again?”
Cameras flash as Yasmin smiles and moves even closer to me. Gotta play the part. “Of course. Who wouldn’t be happy to play her love interest?”
She kisses my cheek, and I fake a smile. All I want to do is talk to Giovanna again.
“What do you think of this town?”
“It’s delightful,” Yasmin says. “The people seem nice.”
“The people are nice,” I emphasize. “It’s very hospitable of them to let us take over their town. We’re very grateful.”
“Yes, grateful,” Yasmin repeats, digging her nails into my side.
“We have to go now,” I say. “Lots of prep to do.”
I open the door to my trailer, and Yasmin follows me in. As soon as the door is closed, her smile disappears.
“Were you trying to make some kind of point out there?”
“What do you mean, Yas?”
“That comment you made about the people here.”
“Yes, I was making the point that they are nice.”
“At my expense.”
I roll my eyes. “If you want to take it that way.” I sit down in a chair. “Are they gone yet?”
“Are they ever gone?”
I sigh. “What time do we have to be back on set?”
“I have to be there at three. You are due at two.”
“Oh yeah, the outside scene. It’s fucking cold out there.”
“It is.”
I look up as Yasmin lingers by the door.
“Need something?” I ask.
“When are we going to get this over with?”
“What?”
“This sexual tension between us? Why don’t you just give in to me?”
“I think you might be reading me wrong.”
She walks toward me. “I’m not. You must have felt it today when we kissed. There’s heat there, and you know it. I don’t know why you resist me. We’d be media darlings as a couple.”
“What the media thinks is not how I choose my love interests. I’ve told you before, I don’t get involved with costars, especially someone that I know I will work with time and again. If it doesn’t work out, and it won’t, it will cause nothing but problems. Let it go.”
“I’ll let it go when I’m damn good and ready to. Do you know how lucky you would be to share my bed?”
I pick up a magazine and flip through it, bored with this conversation. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“Asshole.”
She stomps out of my trailer, slamming the door behind her, just as I hoped she would. Even before meeting Giovanna, I had no intention of hooking up with Yasmin. Especially after all the drama that dick boyfriend of hers caused during out last film. I don’t know why she can’t get it through her head.
I look down at my watch and decide I better get changed and ready for my next scene. Makeup will be here in a few minutes. I stand and walk to my hanging wardrobe, select my suit, and quickly change into it.
A while later, the makeup team finishes up on me, and I’m ready to go. Opening the door to my trailer, I brace myself for the cold winter wind that whips past me. It’s fucking cold out there. Oh well, it creates a realistic mood. Bonus that I get to go by the bookstore again.
Walking down the steps, I see Yasmin talking to some of the media guys. I really wish they hadn’t followed us here. I don’t want them catching on to my interest in Giovanna. They would blow it up everywhere, and I know for a fact that would only piss her off.
Outside the store, we set up filming. I wait in the doorway of the store, trying to discreetly look for Giovanna. Several minutes later, she walks out to the front, stops, and takes in the scene for a moment, then disappears again.
I don’t know how I’m going to break her down, but I’m going to.