Chapter 9
Josie
I stuttered. "Wh-wh-I-I'm not answering that," I said, nervously.
My heart had been beating in double time since the second I saw Alex on the sidewalk. I had to work to control my nerves since we had been together this morning. He had been cool and collected the whole time. And now he was nonchalantly talking about kissing.
"What? It's something to consider," he said, reasonably. "You know what a good one is, so you have a reference. I was just wondering if this guy was any good."
"Yeah, I guess I do have a reference, but I don't have to report back to anyone about it."
"But you have kissed him," he said in an assumptive tone.
"No. I’m not saying that." I glanced at him, shaking my head. "You're funny," I said, not admitting that he had been the last person I kissed.
"Are you coming to Deer Lodge to be in my series?" he asked.
"You mean tomorrow?"
"Yes. We have some dresses in wardrobe, if you come early you can wear one of those. We start filming the scene at eight-thirty."
"At night?"
He grinned at her. "Yes. It's a dance."
"I don't have to learn any moves, do I?"
"No, you don't. But I would like it if you come to hang out with me and be in my film.
" My heart reacted to the way he smiled at me.
"Your sister was asking about being in it, but I wasn't sure if you would want her to come, so I didn't give her any details.
I told her I'd keep her in mind for later when we shoot in Darby, and I will.
I wasn't sure what you wanted, so I didn't say much to her. "
"Do you mind if both of us go tomorrow?" I asked him.
"No, I don’t. I almost mentioned it to her, I just wanted to leave it up to you."
"No, I'll like having her there. Plus, she would never let me live it down if I did something like that and didn't include her. It's way more her type of thing. She'll be better at it than me."
"Really, it was you I wanted in my scene," he said. "I'm fine with her coming out, but I'm only including her because she's coming with you."
I looked at him, slowing down as we walked. We could see the water by now, and both of us started to slow our pace.
"We have a hundred people who are coming in as extras this week. I can send you wardrobe inspiration pictures, but it's probably easier to just get there at about five or six and get help from our makeup and wardrobe ladies."
"Okay," I said, nodding.
"I'm going to be busy for most of it, and you're going to be herded around like sheep. You'd have to commit to being there the whole time. It's several hours plus driving time. I’m not trying to talk you out of it. I'm just being honest."
I walked for a few paces, thinking about how I should answer. "I mean, how often does one get to be an extra in a miniseries?"
"Lately, pretty much everyone in my life is in a miniseries, so I'm a bad person to ask." We both laughed. "But no, really. You should come out and do it. I really want you to."
"I will," I said.
"You will?" he asked, smiling.
"Yes, I will."
"Yes!" he said.
He was happy, and it made me feel giddy.
"I'm going to make sure you're in a shot."
I shrugged. "I'm happy in the background."
"I'm pumped about you coming." He paused once we got closer to the big concrete ledge at the waterfront, and he looked both ways. "Where's the carousel?" he asked.
"That way, probably about ten more minutes," I said, pointing.
"Do you have time to go?" he asked.
"I think you're on more of a tight schedule than I am," I said with a shrug. "I'm kind of here on vacation."
The carousel was fun and beautiful, and we laughed and talked the whole time we rode it. The best part was that we had to accidentally touch each other several times during the whole thing, including when he helped me on and off my horse.
"I told you it was fast," I said, smiling at him as we walked off the platform.
"That was fun," he said, looking back at it like he regretted leaving.
"Do you want to go again?"
"No, I was thinking that we should have taken a picture. We could get one now."
"Should we both get in it?"
"If your boyfriend won't mind."
"He's not my boyfriend," I said, shaking my head a little and glancing down as he leaned in next to me.
"Good."
He held up his phone, framing us with the colorful horses and lights behind us.
He was an artist, and I could tell it was going to be a pretty photograph by the reflection in is phone.
His hand had touched my side when he pulled me in for the picture.
I felt let down when he let me go. I wanted to feel it there again.
We instinctively started heading back to the restaurant since that was where his car was parked. Because of the casual rate we were going, I knew he would need to leave town when we made it back to the restaurant.
Time passed too quickly when I was talking to Alex, and before I knew it, we had been walking for another half-hour, and we made it all the way back to his vehicle. It was a truck—a nice black truck with all the bells and whistles.
"I like your truck," I said. "Is this yours or did you borrow it?"
"It's mine. I drove it from home since I'm here for so long."
"Yeah, that makes sense," I said. "Well, hey, I'd better let you get going. But this was amazing. I had fun."
"Me too," he said. "When am I seeing you again?"
"Tomorrow, I guess," I said, feeling nervous at the mention of it but acting casual. "Don't forget to text me inspiration. I'll try to come early, though."
"I don't have your number. I gave you mine, but I don't have yours."
"I need to give you that right now," I said.
He started fishing for his phone, and I had to hold back a smile.
I was feeling achy for him, and now he was talking about ways to stay in touch with me.
We hesitated near the side of his truck.
He got to the screen to place a call, and he handed me his phone.
I typed in my phone number with as little trembling as possible.
"There," I said, handing it back to him.
"You can go ahead and press call so you have my number in yours."
I did, and my phone went off in my pocket. It was a loud pop song, and I quickly reached back and silenced it."
"Nice ring tone," he said with a smile.
"Thanks," I said. "Luna's choice."
"Oh, really? I thought you loved Katy Perry," he said, looking serious even though I knew he was joking.
"It's Sabrina Carpenter," I said, staring at him like he was crazy for not knowing. Both of us were joking, and we smiled.
"Is that who it was?" he asked.
"I actually don't know for sure. I was just joking. I think it might be. Luna did pick it. Anyway, it sounds like I have your number now."
"Yeah. I'll forward you some pictures, but like I said, you can just come early."
"Where did you park?" he asked, looking around. "Do you need a ride to your car?"
"No, I walked. Josie's place isn't far from here."
"You're Josie," he said. There was a smile in his tone, and I glanced at him.
"What?"
"You said you were going to Josie's place, and I said that you're Josie."
"Seriously? I said Josie's place?"
"Yes."
"Audrey's place, I meant. Her house isn't far from here, so I walked."
"Do you want a ride?"
"No, I'm good, thank you."
"I'm going to stand here and forward you this information," he said, looking down at his phone. "I'll be on the road for the next hour and then pulled in ten different directions after that."
He was quiet as he stared at his phone. I waited, and I tried not to stare at him, but it was difficult.
He was a large, attractive masculine presence next to me, and my eyes were drawn to him.
I didn't usually find myself next to men who made me feel like this, and I had to work to navigate the feelings of attraction.
"There. I sent you some things," he said. "But like I said, we've got costumes in wardrobe, so you should come early. The others are there today and tonight, but it's just a rehearsal. We're not shooting anything until tomorrow."
I put a hand to my chest. "Oh, you mean they're already there? Everybody's had a rehearsal?"
"Yes, but I didn't say that to scare you. I'm saying, they all have their wardrobe taken care of and will have extra stuff for you. Rehearsal doesn't matter. I'll make sure wardrobe's ready for you."
"Yes, please, and I'll feel better with my sister being there now that I know everyone else has had a rehearsal."
"You'll be fine, I promise."
He sounded so assured that I didn’t question it.
"Luna's welcome. There are a few younger kids who are scripted into the scene, so I'm good with her being in it. Just warn her it's going to be late."
"Yeah, no, thank you. I'll ask, but she's got friends who are waiting to see her and hang out."
"Okay, so I'll probably call or text you later tonight."
I smiled and nodded at him. I felt shy and speechless, and I bit my lip.
"It might be midnight."
"Okay," I said. "If it's later and I fall asleep, I just might not hear it, but that's fine."
"Will you be up until midnight?" he asked.
I could hardly look at his face. It was rounded and sharp at the same time—rugged and manly, but still fair and angelic.
The eyes.
Those amber eyes.
His whole face was majestic. His eyes glowed, and that was emphasized in the bright daylight. I could hardly make eye contact without feeling antsy.
"Yeah, I'll be up until then," I said. "I just meant don't feel bad if you get busy and can't call." I bit my lip again. Why was I doing that? This guy made me feel all sorts of things.
"Josie." His deep voice cut through the silence, and my eyes snapped up to meet his again. "I'll call you tonight." He grinned, and I felt a fluttery feeling that made me understand why people called it butterflies.
I nodded and waved at him. "Okay, I'll talk to you tonight."