Thrill Me (Fool's Gold #18)(23)

She’d told him to wear jeans and a faded light blue shirt. She hoped he was the kind of talent who listened.

She set up two cameras along with her lights. She and Del had already gone over the script, and she’d blocked out the shoot. If all went well, they would be done before the brightest part of the day. If not, they would have to take a break and return later in the afternoon. Unless the sun came out.

But while the complications might have given someone else fits, Maya was perfectly happy with the uncertainty. This was way better than worrying about which star had cheated on his or her significant other. Back in LA her life had been defined by gossip and celebrity sightings. While this wasn’t curing a disease, at least it would bring some good to the town.

Thinking of the town had her mind drifting to Elaine. The cancer news was still a bombshell. She’d checked in with her friend a couple of times, and so far the other woman sounded okay. She had a diagnosis and a plan. According to her doctor, the prognosis was good. Maya would take care of her friend as best she could, although she still strongly disagreed with Elaine’s decision to keep the information a secret from her family.

A problem for another time, she told herself, and returned to setting up equipment.

Right on time, Del walked into the meadow. He headed for her.

“What the hell?” His gaze was sharp. “Why didn’t you tell me to get here earlier? I thought I’d be here to help with the setup. You carted all this yourself? That’s ridiculous. I’m not some actor you’ve hired. Jeez, Maya. Give a guy a break. I could have helped you with unloading.”

He was really pissed, she thought, staring at him. He might even have a point. It was kind of hard to know for sure, because she couldn’t really think.

He’d shaved. Gone was the three-day growth that looked so good on him. Now his skin was smooth, his features clearly defined. The look suited him, even if it might be hell on the video continuity.

Stubble Del was dangerous and maybe a little wicked. Clean-shaven Del was more like the guy she remembered. He seemed a bit younger and more approachable, but just as sexy.

Her gaze settled on his mouth as she wondered how the two Dels would be different in the kissing department. Would the stubble scratch or just be delightfully abrasive? Would the smoothness be more or less appealing? Was it wrong to want to find out?

Instinctively she glanced at the camera and saw he was perfectly framed. She pushed the button to get a test shot.

“Maya?”

His impatient voice snapped her back to the present.

“What? Oh.” She released the camera already sitting on the tripod. “It never crossed my mind.”

“Asking me to help? Do you really think I’m that much of a jerk?” He swore. “When did I become the bad guy?”

“No, you’re not. I’m just used to handling this sort of thing on my own. It comes with my job.” She studied him. “Del, why are you mad about this?”

He waved to the setup. “This says you think I’m showing up to do my part and nothing else.”

She crossed to him. He’d dressed as she’d requested, and the faded blue shirt looked as good as she’d hoped. The color was perfect on him, and the camera was going to have a mini meltdown from all the sex appeal. Worse, the camera might not be alone in its reaction.

But first, she had to figure out what was going on. She stopped directly in front of him and put her hands on her hips.

“I don’t think so,” she said quietly. “You’re not mad at me. You’re right. I should have mentioned when I was getting here. I genuinely didn’t think about it. Next time I’ll offer to let you fetch and carry. I promise. So tell me what happened?”

She knew he hadn’t found out about his mother. That would have scared him, not made him furious.

He ran his hand through his hair, rumpling it delightfully. She so was not going to comb it back into place before filming.

Del sighed. “You’re right. This is only part of what’s wrong.”

She lowered her arms to her side and waited for him to continue.

He sucked in a breath. “It’s Aidan. He’s pissed. Seriously pissed.”

“At you?”

He nodded. “For leaving ten years ago. I honest to God never thought about it from his perspective, but he’s right. I took off and all of it got dumped on him. The business, the family. There was no warning. He got stuck because I took off.”

“And you got stuck before him.”

He shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”

“You did. You grew up knowing you had to take care of everything. You had to be there for your mom and your brothers. No one asked you if that was what you wanted. There wasn’t a discussion.”

“Why are you taking my side?”

She gave him a slight smile. “You’re the Mitchell brother I like best. You know I’m right. You were expected to take care of everything. What if you wanted something different? No one asked.”

“And I took off, leaving Aidan to pick up the pieces.” He swore again. “I’m a selfish bastard.”

Something prickled her skin. While the attraction was still there, she had a feeling that wasn’t the cause. It took her a second to recognize what it was. Guilt.

“It’s not your fault,” she told him, wondering how much he was going to hate her when he realized the truth. “It’s mine.”