As an organ donor, you have the power to save as many as eight lives.” Ryan starts to walk across the hospital lobby toward a tall potted plant where Nathan, looking tired and seated in a wheelchair, is watching him.

I can’t get over how relaxed Ryan looks. If I was the person standing in front of the camera, I’d be a nervous wreck and probably forget everything I was supposed to say. But not Ryan. He has a knack for acting like the camera isn’t there while not forgetting to make sure it always catches his best side.

“And don’t assume that just because you have a medical condition, that your organs will be rejected. In most cases, a portion will be both used and appreciated.”

Ryan looks just as fresh and cheerful as he did when he first walked into my kitchen this morning, impressive since this is about the eighth time he’s gone through this particular part. Most of the reshoots have been because of some minor problem, but no matter the reason, Ryan remains cheerful and listens to what everyone who’s behind the camera has to say.

“So fill out the back of your driver’s license and tell your family that you want to be a part of Wisconsin’s organ donor program.” Ryan drops down in a crouch and gathers Nathan close in a one-armed hug. Even though Nathan is visibly tired, the wide-eyed look of adoration he gives Ryan is just as good as the first time they shot this scene nearly—I glance at my watch—three and a half hours ago. “Your generous gesture could save Nathan’s life.”

He waits a beat before standing up. He rubs the back of his neck and looks at Logan Hendricks, the director of this project. “How was that one?”

Logan shrugs. “It looks good but I’ll have to look at the footage before I’ll know for sure.” He glances around at his team; all of them look exhausted. “I’d like some close-up shots, so if you don’t mind working with Philip—” He gestures to his assistant director, “—with those for a few minutes, I’ll take a look at this last take and see if we need to reshoot it”

“Fine.” Ryan glances at Nathan, who looks like he’s half asleep. “But can we give Nathan a break? He’s running out of juice.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Logan says dismissively, his mind already focused on something else. “Whatever you say.”

“Do you see that?” Margo turns toward me with a wide smile. “That easy nature and directability is one of the reasons that Ryan has become most directors’ first choice, especially when it comes to dealing with a nuanced character. He always listens, never loses his temper, always tries to do what they want, and he also provides some smart feedback. Guys like him are few and far between.”

Don’t I know it.

I tuck my hands into my jean pockets and study the agent. She looks just as fresh and perfect as she did when she arrived on the shoot. “If directors like him so much, how come he needed a girlfriend so badly?”

Margo shrugs. “Directors like actors who are happy to create a project that fits their image. Studio execs are another story. They’re less interested in art and more concerned about the bottom line. Having a girlfriend not only gives Ryan something relatable to talk about when he’s on press tours, but also means more pictures online and tabloids, and the more his face gets splashed around, the more people buy tickets to go watch his movies.”

“Makes sense, I guess.”

Margo snorts. “It might be one of the few things about this business that actually does.” Her eyes narrow as the assistant director drags his massive handheld camera toward Ryan. “Excuse me. I need to oversee this situation.” She doesn’t wait for my reply before she marches to Ryan.

“Good ole Margo, she can’t leave anything alone.” Jenna glides to a stop beside me. She sips from a paper cup that’s full of coffee and stares at her sister and Ryan. “Almost makes me glad that I gave up acting. She takes a personal interest in her actors, which is great when you’re starting out, but drives us veterans nuts.”

“Ryan doesn’t seem to mind,” I point out as he laughs at something Phillip is saying.

“Ryan is a saint,” Jenna replies.

My cell phone buzzes in my pocket, startling me. I tug it out and look at the screen. Seth’s number. “Excuse me, I need to take this.”

Jenna shrugs in a dismissive manner, giving me the impression that she’s barely listening, so I punch the answer icon. “Hello.”

“Lucy? Hi. Seth here.”

“Have you found anything else out?”

“Yes and no. I was right; the cat was hit by a car. The bullets were fired into it several hours after it was killed. The lab also said that it had been refrigerated for a few hours.”

My stomach clenches at the thought of someone storing a dead, mutilated cat inside their home, their fridge, for any length of time.

“Also, I’ve run through the list of names of people who knew you were out of town yesterday and they all have alibis, and none seem to have any motive to stalk and terrorize you. They seem to like you.”

“Okay, so it’s none of those. What happens next?”

“I’m back to thinking that maybe it’s one of Ryan’s fans who was watching the Tigers game and saw you and Ryan on the kiss cam. But tracking them down is going to be tough. It’s going to be a big list.”

That’s not what I wanted to hear. The sight of that poor cat, of knowing someone had managed to stick it on my car, had been practically in my house, scared me to death. “Let me know if you figure something out.” And I’ll start researching security systems so whoever this sicko is can’t get close to my car and house ever again.

“Will do,” Seth promises.

I disconnect the phone and am startled to look up and find Ryan right in front of me.

“Hey.” He nods to the phone in my hand. “That sounded serious.”

I quickly fill him and Jenna in on what Seth told me. Both look concerned.

Ryan bows his head and presses his forehead to mine. “It looks like we’re within an hour of wrapping up. Then they shouldn’t need me here for a few days and since you have the week off, how about you and I hop a plane and go somewhere else?”

It’s a tempting offer. “Like where?”

“I don’t know.” Ryan thinks for a moment. “I vote for a quiet little B and B. Maybe in New England where we can make love and get to know one another.”

“Sold.” I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.

“Hey!” Jenna digs her elbow into my ribs. “Mind his makeup.”

“Oh, yeah.” I pull back. “That’s not something I’ve ever had to worry about.”

“And you shouldn’t now either.” Ryan leans in and steals another kiss. “Makeup repair is exactly why Stephanie is hanging around. She’ll tell you it’s her reason for existing.”

I push against his chest. “Go back to work so we can get out of here.”

Ryan laughs and beelines for Stephanie, who is happily flirting with a doctor who decided to swing by and watch the filming.

I return my cell phone to my back pocket and look at Jenna. “I need to take a bathroom break.”

Jenna nods. “I’ll go with you.”