Kissed Blind (Hot Pursuit #2)(42)

“Longer than I would’ve hoped. I thought someone would have seen my potential by now, but nothing yet.” She pressed her lips together and dropped her head.

“Wouldn’t Oliver help you? He seems like he’d go out of his way. I mean, look at what he’s doing for me for the event next weekend.”

“Well, yeah, that’s Oliver with other people. With me—”

“You guys all squared away, or do I need to scare up a drink too?” Vance appeared behind Cici, and her shoulders jerked. He placed his hands on her arms and held her. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

She glanced, wide-eyed, up at him. “It’s okay, like totally okay.”

My face fell to a grimace. Just when I was starting to warm up to her a little. She excused herself to a small table set up on the sidewalk to attend to more business while my phone buzzed in my pocket. Gabe texted again, probably to check on my anger level.



When are you supposed to be finished tonight? he asked.

Not sure, why?

I was thinking of taking you out. I don’t like how we left things this morning.

I smiled. Me either.

I’ll make reservations.

Where?

No, it’s a surprise. Think you’ll be finished by 8:00?

Absolutely.

Call me when you get home.



. . .



About halfway through the day, a limousine arrived on set. Flashes exploded from the cameras of bystanders who’d gathered. Camille waved to the crowds calling her name as she stepped out from behind a shiny black door. Her soft pink, calf length jacket, cream fitted dress, and black sunglasses had her looking like royalty.

In the mass of the people calling her name was the same man I’d noticed the day before. His gaze did not break from Camille for a fraction of a second, and at one point, I thought she noticed him too.

As Camille approached a guard who let her through, I elbowed Vance.

“That the same guy?” Vance asked.

“Yep. See what I was talking about?”

“Sure do.”

A slight way off, Oliver wrapped up his final scene and the director called for lunch. Oliver slapped another actor on the back and walked our way.

“There you two are,” Camille said approaching us. “How’s Oli been doing? Has it been grueling?”

“No,” I added, “seems to be running smoothly.”

Cici approached Camille from behind carrying a cup and a white container. “Oh, hi, Camille. Can I get you something from craft service? I didn’t see you were coming. Did I miss your call?” I was sure if Cici had had a free hand, she would have dug through her bag to check her phone.

“No, I didn’t call. I wanted to surprise Oli with lunch. I’ve come to kiss and makeup.” She reached in her extra-large hand bag and pulled out a clear container. “I brought one of his favorites, Cobb salad with green goddess dressing.”

Cici glanced down at the food in her hand. “Oh, um, okay.”

“Just throw that out. Oli would rather have this anyway.” Camille glanced at Vance and then to me. “Unless one of you two wants it? It’s craft service.” She crinkled her nose.

“We’ll grab something in a bit. Why don’t you eat it Cici? I’m sure you’d like a break. I haven’t seen you rest yet today,” Vance answered.

“You know.” The smallest wispy of onyx hair brushed her cheek. “I think I might.”

“I’ll just take that off your hands,” Camille said, relieving Cici of the Styrofoam cup as Oliver approached.

“Uh, that’s for Oliver,” Cici choked out, but her words lost momentum as she finished the sentence.

“You’re here,” Oliver said, kissing Camille’s cheek.

“I’ve brought my favorite leading man lunch. Cobb salad.” Camille smiled. “I know how you hate to eat the food on set.”

Oliver stared at the container she held out. “Is that green goddess dressing I smell?”

“What else? It’s my peace offering.”

He grabbed the container and lifted it to his nose. “Mm, that smell… it’s indescribable. My stomach has been giving me some trouble today. You don’t have any more of those capsules from your herbalist, do you?”

“They’re in my other bag.”

He sighed. “That’s my luck.”

“You’ve been under so much pressure lately, darling. It’s stress. This will be perfect for you—a nice, clean salad.” Camille offered the Styrofoam cup in her hand. “And here, I got this for you to drink.”

“Actually,” Cici said, snatching it from her hand. “I got this for you.”

Camille looked like she’d caught wind of something foul, but Oliver was oblivious to the tug-of-war.

“Oh, great. If it’s the same thing as this morning then it’s perfect. I need a pick-me-up.” He lifted it to his lips when Camille placed her hand on his arm and stopped him.

“Darling, if you’re stomach has been upset caffeine isn’t the best thing. You should do a cleanse and get the toxins out of your system. Maybe Cici could get you some juice or something. Cici, do you think you could get him a green juice.”

That took the wind out of Cici’s sails, and her shoulders sagged. She didn’t bother bringing up the fact that the tea didn’t have caffeine. “I’m not sure they have that here.”