Kissed Blind (Hot Pursuit #2)(44)

“Eh, don’t pay it any mind. And besides, Camille was there. She knows the story is a convenient fabrication from the media. But to be honest, there could be worse things to be accused of. You are a true beauty. I’d be honored to be able to call you my love interest.” He raised a brow and gave me a sideways glance.

My cheeks heated. “Oh… uh… thanks.”

His face spread with a warm grin. “Has Cici taken care of your clothes for the event next week?”

“I think so. I gave her my information.”

“Great. Speaking of, where is she with that juice?”

“Is your stomach feeling better?”

“Actually, worse. I’m not sure if I’m coming down with something or not. My head’s not right either.” His makeup was on, which altered his appearance, but the whites of his eyes didn’t lie; he didn’t feel well.

Cadence came up behind Oliver and shuffled him along. “Don’t pretend like you didn’t hear Martin. You need to take your place.” Something about her British accent made her rousing less abrasive.

He looked at me and forced his eyes to open wide. “But the show must go on.”

I stood back, once again, and assumed my position out of the way but close enough in case he needed me. Cici and Vance returned with Oliver’s green juice a few minutes after shooting the first scene began.

“Damn,” Cici said, clicking her tongue. “They started filming already?”

“Yeah, you guys were gone for a while.” I shot Vance my most judgmental eye.

“We had to drive around before we found a deli down here that makes this stuff,” Vance added, oblivious.

I glanced over at the clear cup in Cici’s hand. It looked like a thick, bright green cucumber had been ground up and dumped in the cup. I almost got queasy thinking about drinking whatever kind of wheatgrass or other Hollywood hippy crap was blended in there. “What’s in that anyway?” I asked.

Cici held up the cup as if she was inspecting it. “Oh gosh, tons of stuff. Spinach, cucumber, ginger, apple…about a dozen things. It’s supposed to be good for you.” She lifted her head to see where Oliver was. “I’m just going to sneak over and put this close by so he can sip it if he wants. Be back in a sec.”

“How are things going here?” Vance asked when Cici walked off.

“Fine, I guess. Camille and Oliver got into another spat over lunch and she stormed off.”

“Uh oh, trouble in paradise?”

I shook my head. “You need to come up with a different phrase, really.”

“What?” He held his palms up in a shrug.

“You always say that when Gabe and I have a disagreement too.”

“Eh, whatever. So, she left or what?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t seen her since.”

About an hour later, we’d followed Oliver through filming, which stretched over several different neighboring streets. The security on set was kept tight, which was nice to see. Fans were kept far out of sight, so even an excited cheer wouldn’t interfere. Camille eventually resurfaced and appeared in a canvas chair just out of one of the shots where she could field phone calls without being disruptive. She kept Oliver in her line of sight. As he worked his scenes, her head raised and lowered as he moved on the set. It was kind of sweet the way she showed her support for him despite their differences.

When the director yelled “cut” on a scene, a commotion followed, catching my attention. Vance and I strained to see what was happening. We took a few steps forward and found Oliver being escorted to a chair.

“Everybody stand back,” Cadence said, fanning a flushed Oliver who’d plopped into a chair.

Camille sprang from her seat to be next to Oliver. “What’s wrong, darling?”

Vance and I stood at his side.

Oliver had his hand to his brow and was exhaling a large breath. “I just need a second. Low blood sugar or something. I need a drink.” He picked up the green juice that had been next to his chair and took a few large pulls of the liquid into his mouth.

“Everyone, give us a second, please,” Camille instructed. She held up her hands as if to push everyone back. Vance and I didn’t budge from our positions.

Once Oliver felt he had enough privacy, he looked over to Vance and me. “I’m finished for the day. I can’t stay on my feet much longer. I’ve got a stomach bug brewing and I’d rather not show the crew another look at my lunch.”

“Of course,” Camille interjected. “I’ll tell the director you’re not well. I’ll handle everything. Just sit and relax.” As Camille sauntered off, she raised her phone to her ear.

Vance leaned down closer to his side. “Sir, what can we do for you?”

I scanned our surroundings and looked for the easiest point of exit. Cici had reappeared. She watched Oliver with furrowed brows but stayed out of the way.

“I just need a second to sit here,” Oliver said, readjusting himself in the seat.

Camille returned with Cadence and the director. Oliver was told to go home and to get well. Camille added she’d called the doctor.

“Where’s the car?” Camille asked looking at Vance.

“It’s parked on one of the side streets. I can bring it around wherever you’d like.”