Текст книги "The Accidental Movie Star "

Автор книги: Emily Evans

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

Chapter 15

At first, the weather on the mountain didn’t seem too cold. The temperature hovered in the forties. Ashley could handle the forties. She wore layers and Powder gave her little square hand-warmer packets; the beads inside heated up and kept her fingers toasty.

“It’s only for three days,” Powder said. Powder seemed to be trying to reassure herself. “And they’re setting up a heated tent.” She pulled a fake-fur wrap tighter around her head. “I’m going to set up my station.” Powder hurried up the path. The rocks on either side of her were khaki colored, and large ridges filled with snow lay in the distance. The whole location was beautiful, and other than Powder’s distrust of the outdoors, spirits were high.

Ashley drew in a deep breath. The path smelled like plants and fresh air. Sometimes, you don’t realize how polluted a city is until you escape it. White snow edging the path sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. Snow never accumulated like this in Houston. Ashley couldn’t stop herself from patting and crunching the toe of her boot into it.

“See, you like the snow,” Caz said. “You’re playing in it.”

Ashley looked up from the white powder covering the toe of her boot and raised her eyebrows. “Just because it’s foreign and interesting doesn’t mean I like it.”

Caz laughed and pulled her close. “Tell me you like it a little.”

Ashley tilted her head back and looked at him through her sunglasses. “Maybe a little.”

“I’m foreign and interesting. Tell me you like me a little.”

“Well, you’re foreign.”

The AD stood further up the trail, clapping his mittens together, shifting from one foot to the other, sending anxious looks at the sky. He wanted them locked into three days here: no overtime, no going over budget. “Let’s get started and get back to Lone Pine.”

The nearby town of Lone Pine served as their base camp. Last night the small group had eaten dinner together in its small hotel, forming a new sense of camaraderie and purpose. Ashley hated to admit it, but these might be her favorite three days of shooting.

Ashley honestly thought that—until it started to rain. Forty degrees was very bearable until you got wet. She huddled in the heated tent as soon as the first drops fell, rolling the hand-warmer packet between her fingers like a rosary. Powder huddled by a heater, staring at her black nail polish. She wasn’t outdoorsy either.

The actors rotated in for touchups and to get out of the cold. Ashley had seen them all except the star. “Where’s Caz?”

One of the actors answered her. “He’s in all the scenes, so they’re keeping him out there. Filming will slow if he takes a break.”

Ashley groaned, grabbed a blanket and a hot chocolate, and headed for the opening to the tent. The relentless rain, pouring off her umbrella in steady streams, and the muddy ground under her heavy boots, made the fifty feet to the shooting area seem much further.

Caz sat, tied up on a log by a fire, his character’s face defiant. His huddled shivering didn’t look fake.

“Cut,” the AD called.

Ashley moved in and carefully placed the cup between his icy, bound hands.

“Thanks.” Caz lifted the drink to his mouth. He made a sound of annoyance and twisted the fake restraints off his wrists. The rope fell beside his boots, soaking into the mud.

Ashley lowered beside him.

“I’m all wet,” he warned when she scooted close. Holding the umbrella in one hand, she used the other to toss the blanket half around him, half around herself, and huddled into him. His body radiated chill instead of his usual warmth.

Putting her right arm under the blanket, she touched his soaking shirt. Ashley slipped her warmed hand underneath his two layers of shirts and touched him. His skin felt icy against her palm.

Caz made a pleased sound and lifted a hand for the umbrella. “Use both hands.”

Ashley slid her other arm around him in a hug, certain his affectionate look was more about her warmth than her company.

The nearness made the wetness of his clothing seep through her sweater, and she wondered how he stood it.

“I don’t want a house in the mountains either,” Caz said. “We can just do a day hike sometime.”

Ashley grinned against his arm in total agreement. “You should tell the AD you’re ready to stop for the day.”

“I’m fine.” His body shook.

“Okay,” the AD said, “We’re ready for you, Caz.” Caz muttered a cut-off groan in response.

Ashley noted in annoyance that the AD wore a full parka and had someone holding an umbrella over his head. She gave Caz a final pat and lifted away from him. “I’ll get a dry blanket and come back.”

***

The temperature was falling with each raindrop, and Caz’s skin felt even colder when she returned.

Caz said, “I think this is the last shot.” His teeth chattered around the words. “They’re worried about the condensation on the cameras.”

“Here.” Ashley took hold of the umbrella and blanket and slid his hand under her sweater. The icy feel of his fingers against her warm waist made her jump. He tried to withdraw his hand, but she pressed it back in place and took his other, placing both against her skin. The blanket slipped, and she grabbed hold before snuggling into him, one arm around him, one hand clutching the blanket and the umbrella.

“The AD suggested I think warm thoughts, like the beach.”

“If your hands are the indicator, that’s not working.”

Caz leaned his head against her shoulder. “I’m glad I made you come out here with me.”

“That’s not very nice.” The pinging rain became harder pounding rain that blew in sideways. The angle made holding the umbrella over their heads almost useless.

“I’m not nice. Tell me something warm to get me through the next shot.”

The AD warned, “Five minutes, Caz.”

“Hmm, well, you could think about the lodge and a warm cozy corner by the fire.”

“Are you sitting by the fire too?”

“I’m sitting by the fire telling a nice guy all about the kissing pentagon.”

Caz stiffened and sat up to look at her with bright eyes.

Ashley said, “Too bad you’re not nice.”

The AD said, “Okay, we’re ready. Let’s get this last shot over and wrap. The rain at this angle is really getting to the equipment.”

Ashley stood, lifting the blanket with her. Caz surprised her by standing too. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “Thanks.” He pressed his cold lips to her neck and she shivered, but not due to the cold.

***

Sharing a room with Powder meant giving up all claim to counter space. Powder’s stash of cosmetics covered the small area, in addition to every other spare surface in the room. For the first time in her life, Ashley went to bed each night slathered in face creams. Her skin looked great in the morning, but not so much at bedtime.

This was their last dinner together on the mountain. Ashley couldn’t say she was sorry. The monsoon had killed her momentary lapse into being a girl who enjoyed the outdoors. She checked her watch; thirty minutes to blow out her hair and dress before dinner.

Powder stood at the wood-framed mirror doing her makeup. She wore black leather pants, a leopard-print tank top, and an intent expression.

Not wanting to get in her way, Ashley took the hairdryer into the bedroom. When she finished, she unplugged the dryer, wound up the cord, and put it away. Her time on set made her more careful with cables. Opening the small wardrobe, she snagged a pair of jeans.

“Not so fast,” Powder said from the doorway, holding a tube of makeup like a weapon.

“We’re on top of a mountain.”

“You’re dining with one of the hottest guys on the planet. Well, at least that’s what the magazines say, not really my type, but anyway, what kind of friend would I be if I let you go out like that?” Powder patted the counter. “Up.”

Even though she’d just taken a shower, the steam was already gone from the bathroom due to the dry California air. Ashley hopped up and let Powder start her makeup.

“You can wear one of my skirts,” Powder said.

Ashley’s eyes widened and Powder smacked her on the leg. “Eyelids down.”

After Powder finished with a dusting of shimmer powder, Ashley assessed her new look. She wore far more makeup than she usually wore, very black eyeliner and glam, completely unsuitable for the woods. She liked it, but she’d never be able to duplicate the makeup without looking crazed. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Now put on those black tights you wore under your jeans. They’ll work. Black bra and your black tank too.”

Wow, the tank and the tights; she was going to let her layer.

Powder held up a blue and black plaid miniskirt. The hem came to mid-thigh on Ashley, so the skirt must be a micro mini on the tall Powder. It wasn’t much of a layer.

Powder said, “We need to go shopping together when we get back.”

“Cool.” Ashley grabbed her black pullover; the sweater still felt damp under her fingers.

“Ack, don’t, what are you doing?”

“Um, it’s forty degrees.”

“That thing got all wet.”

“My other one got really dirty when I slid on the trail.”

Powder shook her head. “And you wonder why you couldn’t catch that guy back home. What are they teaching you girls in Texas?”

“I will freeze if I go down there like this. I’m wearing a tank top and a mini skirt and its freezing.”

“Please, if some guy doesn’t step up to offer you his jacket or a warm arm around your shoulder within five minutes, I’ll go without makeup all week.”

Ashley gasped. “Really?”

“No. But trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

“I only have the hiking boots.”

“They kind of work.”

***

Ashley walked down the main stairs of the lodge, arm in arm with Powder, hesitant to hear any crap about her outfit. Then again, she knew Powder would give anyone making a crack a smackdown.

The bar area was almost full tonight. A few of the crew sat in overstuffed armchairs scattered around the room, but most stood belly up to the bar. Arms waved and Powder gravitated toward them.

The promised warmth of the fireplace’s golden flames drew Ashley in the other direction. The popping crackles of the wood underscored the country music coming out of the corner jukebox, and the burning log smelled like it was from a real tree instead of a ceramic fake. Ashley breathed in the realness, so different from being on set, and lowered herself to the hearth with a hand against the rough bricks. She hoped the bricks wouldn’t snag Powder’s skirt, but she wasn’t willing to relinquish the position of the fire even if they did. The fire heated the skin of her bare shoulders, and she shifted, trying to expose as much skin as possible to the flames. Any part of her not directly in front of the fire chilled, so she had to keep up the rotation. She sat alone for about one minute.

A male voice said, “Can I get you a drink?”

Ashley turned away from the hypnotic orange glow to look up at the guy. He looked college-aged, and had a love of the outdoors. The flannel gave that away.

“Oh, no, I’m good, thanks.”

“That was killer rain today. Seriously.” He took a sip of his beer.

Before she could answer, another guy joined them wearing a UCLA sweatshirt. “Dude, my trail was mashed up.”

Ashley couldn’t decide if her sudden popularity was because there weren’t many girls in the room or her proximity to the fireplace.

Powder returned from the bar holding two pink drinks. She handed one to Ashley and winked at the nearest guy. “Yep, definitely a day to stay inside.”

Ashley swiveled the glass in her hand, wishing the drink was heated. “Thanks. Uh, what is it?”

“It’s called a Rain Ender,” Powder said.

Ashley smiled at the made-up name and put the chilled glass to her lips. Sweet and tart with a kick. The Rain Ender was juice and something alcoholic. She moved the glass away from the flames, holding the stem against her knees.

The UCLA guy said, “Dude, we’re going to need another round of those.”

Powder looked him up and down. “You’re on the water polo team and you can’t handle a little water?”

Ashley was impressed. She hadn’t realized his sweatshirt was for the water polo team. Powder had moves. She took another drink.

Flannel guy snickered and took a seat by Ashley. Eyeing his warm shirt with a little envy, she watched goose bumps appear on her arm as she raised her glass.

He said, “You go to school around here?”

“No,” Ashley said. “I’m only here for the summer. I’m going to college in Texas next fall.”

“Have you toured UCLA yet? I could show you around.”

“It’s on my to-do list. What’s your major?”

“Urban design.”

“No way.”

“Way.”

Ashley said, “I’m going to be an architect, too.”

“Really?” The flannel guy looked pleased as he held out a hand. “I’m Scott.”

“Ashley.” She took his calloused hand and shook it. Scott seemed reluctant to let go when she pulled back. Her only reluctance was that his hand was warm.

“So what’s your interest? Building restoration, new design, community planning?”

“Mmm, I don’t know enough about them to say for certain, but probably new design.”

“That’s what I thought when I was a freshman, but I totally changed after a few classes, so you should keep your mind open to the possibilities.”

“She knows her mind pretty well.” A British voice joined the group.

Ashley smiled up at Caz and held up her free hand.

His return smile was brooding as he took in her outfit. She braced for a smart remark, but he didn’t deliver one. He took her hand and squeezed in beside her then said, “When we went house hunting, she knew exactly what she liked.”

Scott’s smile wavered.

Ashley sent Caz a quizzical look. He made it sound like they were moving in together. Was he trying to add to the gossip? Whatever. He looked warm in his big cozy sweater. She leaned back against him and breathed in. The soap he used had some type of woodsy tone, different from his usual stuff, still nice, though.

“Well, like I said, she should keep her options open.” Scott rose from his seat on the fireplace then bent down and clicked his beer against her glass. “I’m Scott Parrnelli. Find me in the student directory if you want that tour.” With those words, he walked away, back toward the bar.

Caz said, “The crew is going into dinner.”

“Okay.” Ashley stood, then looked at Powder and her water polo player.

“I’ll hang out here for a while,” Powder said. “You two go ahead.”

Caz took Ashley’s hand and led her down the hall past the row of stuffed animal heads. “Where’s the rest of your clothes?”

“I thought you were going to be nice tonight.”

“Nope.”

“Well, my sweater got wet helping out a friend. So it’s drying. My other jacket got dirty the first day on the trail. I thought two would be enough. Guess not.”

“Powder didn’t have anything?”

“I’m wearing her skirt.”

That drew his eyes down to her legs. Ashley stopped his words before they could form. “Powder said some nice guy would probably lend me his flannel shirt. I had a pretty good shot at it too, until you walked up.”

Caz sighed, reached down, and pulled his white cable-knit sweater over his head. Underneath he wore a cream-colored long-sleeved T-shirt.

Ashley grinned and held up her arms. “Touchdown.”

Caz dropped the hem over her head. “That’s an American reference.”

She pulled her arms through, the knit still warm from his body. The material fell almost to the hem of her skirt, and she hugged it close. “You understood well enough. Mmm. Nice, thanks.”

Caz pulled her hair free of the collar and patted the length down her back. Instead of joining the crew at a picnic-style table, he led her to a corner table for two.

The restaurant’s food choices centered around wild game, but in this cold, there was no contest. They both ordered the hot potato soup. Eyeing him over the rim of her spoon, Ashley blew to cool it and took a bite, eating a creamy square of potato.

“I thought over dinner you could tell me about the kissing pentagon.”

Her spoon dropped back into the soup, and the handle made a small clatter against the side of the dish.

“You said if I was nice.” Caz gave his sweater a sweeping nod.

“Is it really a nice gesture, if you do it to get a reward?”

“Yes.” Caz leaned closer. “So, you’d call the kissing pentagon a reward?”

Smiling around her next bite, Ashley nodded.

“Intriguing. Will I call it a reward?”

Ashley considered. “Maybe, I don’t know what you like. But the kissing pentagon doesn’t involve rain.”

“They didn’t create the technique in Britain then.”

Her gaze caught sight of Jason, wearing one of his button-down shirts under a full navy sweater, leading Powder by the arm. He seemed annoyed, and Powder seemed satisfied. That would teach Jason to be late. Poor UCLA guy, Ashley thought, and wondered what the water polo equivalent of a strikeout was called.

Caz tapped his spoon on the side of the bowl and drew her attention to him.

Ashley said, “It’s kind of cool that no one here recognizes you.”

“The eight layers and coats with hoods help.”

“You’ll have to vacation in Alaska,” Ashley said. “Freedom from photos.”

“Or maybe it’s because there’s mostly guys here,” Caz said. “They don’t scream as much as the women.”

Ashley rolled her eyes.

“That guy was being quite forward,” Caz said. “He fancied you.”

“You call that forward?”

“He asked you out when you’re clearly with me.”

Ashley didn’t let her happy reaction to his words show. “Well, he didn’t take any of his clothes off and throw them at me, like women do to you.”

“I inspire passion.”

“I should do womankind a favor and keep the kissing pentagon a secret. That knowledge, coupled with your already irresistible self, would be too much of an advantage.”

Caz finished his soup and pushed the bowl away. “Tomorrow there could be more rain, or bears, or an earthquake. We have to grab the chance at life while we can.”

“Really? You’re giving me the we may not make it out of here alivespeech?” She took another bite and stirred her soup.

“Is it working?”

“A little. I don’t like earthquakes.” Ashley let the spoon drop and leaned close. “The technique works better as a demo than a speech.”

“Yes, show me.” Caz popped to his feet, eyes bright, and pulled her up from the table. They looked in the bar area but it was still packed. Caz led her to the front door. “Wait here one second, I’ll be right back.” He returned within a few minutes carrying a large coat.

Coats and front doors meant one thing. “No way. The weather’s too cold and damp.”

“You have on a sweater.”

“But I’m wearing a skirt.”

Caz shrugged on the coat. “How long is the pentagon’s first step?”

“Not that long.” Ashley looked toward the crowded, well-lit interior and toward the exit. “Okay.”

Caz opened the door and they slipped outside. The cold hit them instantly. It was a damp cold because of the rain, a Houston kind of cold. Brr.

Caz led her over to the side of the lodge, away from the bright front entry lights.

Shivering, Ashley reached for him. The building only blocked a little of the bitter breeze. He was going to have to serve as the other barrier if he wanted her to stay out here much longer. Caz wrapped his arms around her and she backed up until she felt the log cabin’s wall at her back, and said, “You know what would be great?”

“Hmm?”

“If we do this back in LA. Picture your cozy trailer, or even my car in the parking lot. That’s very American, you know, so you should experience that—making out in a car.”

“Okay, yes,” he agreed. “But now show me step one.”

Ashley heart thumped and she felt a little less cold. She tilted her head back against the log and looked up. He was kind of tall to demonstrate the first step on, unless they had a chair.

The night was pitch-black around them, lit only by the lights from the hotel and the ton of stars in the sky, their sheer numbers and brightness something never seen in LA. The difference highlighted how unreal the night felt. She lifted her gaze to his face, but couldn’t really read his expression in the dark. “Powder told me the steps, but didn’t say anything about conditions. I don’t know if the techniques work out here in the cold.”

“Jeez, now I have to know.”

She gave a small laugh. “Okay, I have to reach your mouth to do this.”

“So far it doesn’t sound that unique.”

“You’re awfully talkative for someone who wants to learn something.”

“That’s because I like it when you say nice things about my voice.” Leaning down, Caz tilted his head toward hers.

Ashley rose on her tiptoes, then saw a better option and pulled back. “Hey, see that? What is it? An arbor?”

Caz turned his head. A rustic wooden structure stood in the darkness, not too far away. “No, I think it’s for people who want to sleep outside.”

“When there’s a lodge thirty feet away?”

He shrugged. “Let’s check it out.” The camping structure had a wooden platform about two feet off the ground, three wooden walls, and a missing fourth wall.

Caz said, “Look at this, there’s a whole bit missing.”

“They left it off on purpose, so you can enjoy the view.”

“Of the bears?”

“Again, I’m with you. Climb in. You’ll be like those first British explorers who came to America under rough conditions.”

“My people stayed in England.” Caz climbed in and gave her a hand up. The inside was dark, and much less chilly without the wind. Leaning against the wall, he pulled her close.

“You’re tall.”

Caz slid down the wall to the floor and pulled her down onto his lap. After opening his coat, he pulled her close. The wooden floor was cold against her knees and her tights were definitely getting snagged, but he was warm.

“Mmm. Okay. You start with this—”