19

Anna kept quiet through the exchange between the two actors. She had learned early on that, if the actors didn't really notice you, they would say a lot more than they intended. It was clear that Blake's intentions towards Laura were less than honorable, and Anna planned to make sure that he didn't interfere with her cousin. It was hard enough for Laura to keep her secret about Ricardo as it was - she didn't need the added pressure of Blake's advances.

The make-up artist brushed on a final touch of powder, then smiled at Blake as though she hadn't heard any of what he had said to Sophia. "That's it, Mr. Herrington," Anna said, putting away her brushes.

"Thanks," Blake replied, getting up and heading to his place. A moment later, Laura appeared next to Anna, looking frazzled.

"Thanks for getting here so quickly," Laura said, her voice low as Ricardo approached the actors, giving them new directions. "I can't believe I forgot to call you for Sophia's makeup earlier."

"Don't worry about it, Laura," Anna replied. "I heard you were a bit distracted."

"What?" Laura asked, turning to face her cousin.

"Blake was talking about you to Sophia. Be careful with that one - he wants something, I can tell."

Laura sighed and shook her head. "It feels like he's playing some sort of game with me," she admitted. "He's always catching me off guard, and it's getting frustrating."

Anna offered a sympathetic smile. "At least you've noticed. Just try not to let him get to you. You've got to keep certain things to yourself, and if he keeps catching you like that, you might blurt out something you don't want him to know."

"I know," Laura said, sounding more frustrated. "I'll be careful, I promise."

"Anna!" Ricardo's voice interrupted the two women before they could say any more. "Anna, I need you to touch up Sophia again!"

Anna grabbed her makeup kit and gave Laura one last smile. "I know you will. And I'm around if you need to vent."

"Thanks," Laura said, watching her cousin hurry over to the actress. If only it were easier to avoid Blake...

18

"Sorry," Laura said instinctively, stepping back.

"You're determined to run into me today, aren't you?" Blake asked. He looked down and adjusted his shirt - not because it was askew, but because he wanted to make Laura squirm.

"You seem to be right where I'm going," she replied, looking away. She could feel her cheeks burning, and she wished that her emotions weren't so visible. "Sorry about that." Laura gave Blake a pathetic attempt at a smile, then hurried towards the set.

Blake watched her leave, one eyebrow raised as he noticed the way her hips swayed back and forth. He could see why Jarvis might have an interest in this girl - she was definitely a pretty young thing. He followed her towards the set, but at a much slower pace. Blake knew that they wouldn't start without him.

The crew was still finishing with readjustments when Blake sauntered onto the set. He settled into his chair and waited while Anna finished touching up Sophia's makeup while she sat in her own chair.

"Good little assistant you've got there," Blake said, still watching Laura as she spoke with one of the production interns beside the cameras.

"You keep your paws off of her," Sophia said, her sweet smile at odds with her tone. "I have enough trouble getting decent help without you running them off."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Blake replied, sitting passively in his chair while Anna moved over to touch up his makeup.

"Right. And Brittany didn't quit after you slept with her and then ignored her... and neither did Amanda or Christina. Stay away from this one," Sophia warned as she rose from her seat.

Blake chuckled softly. Telling him to stay away from a woman was about as effective as telling a dog to stay away from a steak that was dropped on the floor.

17

Laura hurried towards the nearest restroom, looking for something to dry her shoes with. Grabbing a handful of paper towels, she sopped up the worst of the coffee and grimaced as she realized her socks were no wet, too. She didn't have time to worry about it, though - with only five minutes until filming started, she needed to get Sophia. Satisfied that her shoes were at least dry enough that she wouldn't leave footprints in Sophia's trailer, Laura hurried back and knocked on Sophia's store.

"Come in," the actress called.

Laura opened the door slowly and saw Sophia on the couch, still reading the book.

"Ms. Cornish?" Laura asked, keeping her voice low. "Mr. Jarvis is ready to get started again."

"Okay, just a second." Sophia read a moment longer, then folded over the corner of the page and closed the book. "Where's makeup?"

"Oh, um... I can get her," Laura said, mentally chastising herself for not thinking of that on her own - of course Sophia would need her makeup touched up before they started filming again.

"Tell her to meet me on set," Sophia ordered, rising from the couch and walking past Laura.

"Yes, Ms. Cornish," Laura said to the actress's back. Alone in the trailer, she heaved a sigh, then pulled out her cell phone and dialed Anna's cell number. "Anna? Yeah, she's headed over to the set and wants you there... Yeah, I'll be there in a few... Thanks, Anna." Laura hung up the phone and took a deep breath. It wasn't as bad as it could be, she told herself. Sophia was in a relatively good, if somewhat odd, mood. Trying to keep her own spirits up, Laura left the trailer and nearly ran into Blake as she turned to head back to the set.