Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
“ D o you have dinner plans tonight? Philippe made lasagna and meatballs. Would love to see you if you can get away?” Lauren smiled at the text message from Angela and quickly texted back.
“No plans. We’re stopping filming early today, so I’m available. What time? And what can I bring?”
“How’s six? And nothing. We don’t need a thing. I made chocolate chip cookies yesterday and homemade ice cream. Just come!”
“Okay, see you at six.”
Lauren didn’t realize she was still smiling until Hudson commented, “You look happy. Good news?”
“You could say that. My friend Angela, the one that lives here, invited me to dinner tonight and I actually get to go.”
Hudson grinned. “Excellent. I told my mom I’d come by for Sunday dinner, too. So, we’ll both be eating well.”
“What is your mother making? Is she a good cook?” Hudson hadn’t talked much about his parents.
“Probably roast beef and popovers. My dad always loved her popovers. And mashed potatoes and gravy, of course.”
“Of course.” It was only eleven and Lauren was suddenly starving. She’d just had a little fruit with her coffee at breakfast. The cast had slept in and half were still in their rooms while the others were lounging around the kitchen and living room. There was a platter of bagels and cream cheese on the kitchen island. Lauren helped herself to an onion bagel and slathered low-fat chive cream cheese on it.
By noon, the entire cast was on the beach. All the friends who stayed over for the party headed home earlier that morning. It had been a late night and everyone seemed tired. The volleyball net was up, but no one moved to play. Eventually, Jason suggested bocce, and he and Billy and Anna and Katy played for a bit. Billy and Katy played as a team, and the flirtatious vibe was in full force for both of them. Interestingly, though, Lauren also noticed a similar vibe with Jason and Anna, not quite as flirty, but definitely more friendly than she’d seen before. It wasn’t clear, though, if it was just a budding friendship or something more.
“Do you see what I think I’m seeing?” Hudson asked softly.
“With Jason and Anna?” Eloise asked.
Lauren nodded. “I see it. I’m not sure what it is yet, though.”
“Yeah, might be nothing. I didn’t think Anna would pair up with anyone. She always seems a little detached, more of an observer,” Hudson said.
“I thought the same. So, this surprises me a bit,” Lauren said.
“And it looks like Suzanne and Noah are still a possibility,” Eloise said. Lauren followed her gaze to where Suzanne was rubbing suntan oil on Noah’s well-muscled back.
“Well, tonight could be interesting….and a good thing that we won’t be there with the cameras. They’re just getting pizza and staying in,” Lauren said.
“Netflix and cuddling on the sofa, perhaps?” Eloise had a mischievous gleam in her eye and they all laughed.
“And over the next few days, with just the static cameras…will be fun to see if anything develops,” Lauren said.
Clouds rolled in around three and the air cooled a bit, and the cast decided to head inside. Before they did, Billy walked over.
“Lauren, can we chat for a minute?”
“Sure.” They went a little way down the beach. Lauren wondered what Billy needed to talk to her about. “What’s up?” she asked.
“I just wanted to double-check something with you,” he began. “Before I start anything with Katy, well, I just want to see if there’s any possibility that you’ll give me another chance? I didn’t want to pressure you and wanted to give you a little time to think about it.” He sounded so sincere as he pleaded with her to take him back. Lauren looked into his blue-gray eyes, with their ridiculously long lashes, and she shook her head. “I don’t think so, Billy. I can’t go back there. I just don’t think I could fully trust you again.” She sighed. “Even if I wanted to.”
He looked away, then met her eyes with a sad smile. “Okay, I get it. But I had to ask. I know I really messed things up for us.”
Lauren just nodded slightly. There was nothing more she could say.
They walked back to where Hudson was packing up his camera. Eloise put her laptop into her tote bag and smiled when she saw them.
“So, what time did you guys want to meet at the Chicken Box tomorrow night?” Eloise asked.
“How’s seven thirty? I think the band comes on at eight,” Hudson suggested.
“That works for me,” Lauren said.
Billy looked intrigued. “You guys are going to the Chicken Box tomorrow night? Maybe we’ll meet you there? I liked that place.”
Hudson nodded. “Sure, everyone is welcome.”
“Great, I’ll see who’s up for it and we’ll meet you there,” Billy wandered off and Eloise raised her eyebrows. “What was that about?”
Lauren told her about their conversation. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for Billy to come out with us? Maybe he’s just trying to see if he can change your mind?” Eloise asked.
Lauren laughed. “Well, he did say he’s interested in Katy, so I don’t think so.”
“I wonder who else will join him? Maybe I should bring my camera,” Hudson said. He didn’t look enthused about the idea, though.
“No, it’s our night off. Leave the camera at home,” Lauren said. She didn’t want Hudson to feel like he had to work on his day off. They all deserved a night where they could just relax and enjoy being out without worrying about catching every conversation among the cast members.
He grinned. “All right. See you both tomorrow night.”