2

Blake shook his head as his costar stormed off. He really couldn’t stand Sophia Cornish, but he had been cast alongside her in this movie, and he needed the part – no actor in his right mind would pass up a part in a Ricardo Jaris movie. Still, there were moments, like this one, that made him question whether taking the part had been a good idea.

Standing up, Blake headed over to the craft services cart. If he was going to have a break, he was going to have a snack. Of course, it didn’t hurt that there was a cute little brunette working over there today. He ran a hand through his black hair, making sure it still looked good, then turned on his best smile as he approached.

From the other side of the camera, Ricardo shook his head. He had made dozens of movies, and worked with hundreds of actors, but this pair had the worst off-screen chemistry he had ever seen. Again, he wondered how he had missed it during their auditions. Despite the palpable tension between the two of them when the cameras were off, Ricardo was always impressed with the way they interacted on film. He could truly believe that they were in love – if he ignored everything that happened after he yelled, “Cut.”

Ricardo shook his head again as he watched Blake sauntering over to flirt with the craft services girl. Blake Herrington was an impressive actor, but he was more than a handful when it came to publicity. He was one of those young men who managed to have a different girl on his arm every night, and broke a new heart every morning. Trying to keep his hormones on a leash while they were promoting this movie – if it ever got finished! – would be a trick.

Of course, it would be just as tricky to get Sophia to play her part and show up with Blake at the openings and parties. The little diva had a knack for throwing a tantrum when things didn’t go her way, and she had disappeared from an important event on more than one occasion in the past.

“What have I gotten myself into?” the director asked himself softly, reaching for the flask inside his vest. He took a small swig, then replaced the flask swiftly before taking a deep breath. “All right! Let’s get going from Sophia’s line, ‘just to see me?’ Places!”