Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
E ddie lifted the travel mug in his hand to shield the sunrise climbing over the set’s food tent. “I’ll do it.”
The director, Carter, and a blond, mustached assistant named Aiden stopped their not-too-quiet conversing. All three men whipped around from their huddle over a bucket filled with ice and water bottles.
Once yesterday’s death of the construction worker and Bianca’s stunt had both been ruled accidents, the mayor had pushed for the movie to forge ahead. Apparently, the best thing for his reelection campaign would be for the film crew to finish and leave. Which had put everything back on schedule, until Eddie had overheard the conversation before him.
Not that he blamed Carter’s stunt double for quitting.
After a moment, Aiden nodded as if all had been decided. Leo tilted his head, but it was Carter’s calculating grin that made Eddie square his shoulders and lower the travel mug in his hand. Earlier, he’d heard the word police from one of them, but once their words had turned to center around the film, Eddie had planned to head to the police station and show Conroy what he’d just found in the dirt by the debris.
Until he’d heard Bianca’s name, which had led Eddie to opening his mouth.
Carter slipped his arm around Eddie’s shoulders. “Excellent. See, problem solved.”
Leo still had his face puckered in confusion. “What exactly are you willing to do?”
Eddie shrugged out of Carter’s touch, a much looser hold than when Eddie had helped Carter out of the ambulance yesterday before a call had pulled him away. “Carter’s stunt double refused to do the next scene, correct? I’ll do it so the production can move forward.”
Not for the film crew to leave town, but so Bianca could fulfill her contract.
Eddie ran his knuckles along his shaven cheeks. Somehow, he could still feel her tender touch from the river. The moment they would have kissed. It was probably a good thing Chip had offered his help when he had.
Leo narrowed his eyes and slid his hands into his jogger pockets. “You agree without even knowing the stunt?” Then he shook his head. “We’ll need to go through the union and?—”
“Whoa.” Carter sidled up beside the director. “If the firefighter volunteers, let him. He’s perfect for the fire scene anyway. Plus…” Carter stepped back over by Eddie and motioned between them. “He favors me. Sure, he’s a little taller. He can hunch as he’s rescuing Bia.”
The memory of carrying Bianca out of the water made his knees lock. Perhaps he should offer to be in all her stunts. He still didn’t see how the wrong harnesses and weights had been used. However, the special-effects guys’ stories and alibis all checked out.
“I’ll have no problem doing a fire scene, sir.”
Carter whistled to another assistant that walked by and motioned for a drink. “Of course he’s going to do it. He knows how important this is for his crew. Just think, the Last Chance County fire department can get its name in the movie credits. You know that can be arranged.”
Eddie should have rolled his eyes, but he refrained. The guy was trying to prove himself. He’d panicked after coming into the ambulance thinking the police were going to stop the filming.
This wasn’t only about getting more money for the youth center. It was also about helping Bianca. A woman who was bound and determined to see the movie to the end to help others.
To help him.
Eddie checked his phone. “What time are the scenes?”
Leo rubbed his chin. “That’s just it. The police still haven’t given their official release to start filming near the collapsed building yet.”
Carter crossed his arms. His white T-shirt stretched thin enough to see his collarbone. “We won’t touch that mess. We only need the house across the path.”
Eddie glanced over his shoulder to where there was empty roofline. The cleanup crew had finished cleaning up the spot yesterday. But walking past the taped-off section five minutes ago, Eddie had found a truck key with a smashed plastic keychain where the rubble had been. It could be a clue or something the cleanup crew had accidentally left or lost.
Either way, he had to give it to Conroy as soon as possible.
The assistant typed away on his phone. “I’m trying to find another option. Can the scene be rewritten with a different kind of structure?”
Leo shook his head. “Got to be a house.”
“Our smoke house might work.” The words flew out of Eddie’s mouth without any thought. “I mean, we’d need to get permission from my chief first.”
Everyone turned to him, and Leo stretched out his palm toward Eddie. “Explain this smoke house.”
“It’s where our crews train in different smoke and fire simulations.”
“With actual smoke?” This from Aiden. “How long does setup take?”
“If we get approval, not long.”
Leo pulled out his phone and pointed it at Eddie. “You talk to your chief.” Then at the assistant. “You figure out how we’re going to get all the needed extras to the new location. And Carter, go make sure Bia is well enough to film this morning.”
Eddie took a step backward and shifted the travel mug to his other hand. “I’ll check on Bianca while I’m calling my chief.” His fire callout yesterday had lasted until almost midnight, and he wanted to see how she was actually doing. Not hear an explanation about how Carter pretended she was.
Plus, Eddie had something she might want.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel walkway behind him. Eddie turned to find Bianca.
Her eyes landed on Eddie, but it was Carter who spoke next. “Look at her. Styled to perfection. She knows the show must go on.”
Bianca produced a closed-mouth smile. “We don’t get this far in our careers by giving up, do we?” Her lips may have been coated with picture-perfect lipstick, but she was hiding.
She adjusted the collar on her striped shirt, tucked into a pair of shorts that made her legs go on forever until they reached her boots. “I know we can’t afford to lose anymore daylight.”
Leo turned to his assistant beside him. “Make sure the wardrobe is ready to be mobile. Eddie will have to have a fire suit.”
Aiden took off at a jog.
Carter raised his finger to the man’s back. “Have them bring mine over too, and check on whoever was supposed to bring me my coffee.”
The man could use a firefighter’s training course. Then he might be a little less self-focused.
Bianca tilted her head, and her dangling earrings rested against her cheek. “Was your fire run okay last night?”
A fire was never okay. “Only a building lost. We got out all the family.”
Leo covered the speaker on the phone call he was on. “You saved someone else from a fire?”
Carter grabbed an apple off a table and took a bite. “Did anyone capture the moment on film?”
Eddie clenched his jaw together. “Real life isn’t like the movies.”
“Right. Right. Of course…” Carter took another chunk out of the apple.
Leo moved his hand off the speaker. “Yes, Aiden’s right. Eddie needs a fire suit. It should fit, right?”
Carter tossed his half-eaten apple toward the trash and missed. He elbowed Leo. “Have them bring me a mocha caramel latte, no foam, extra whip when they bring the fire suits.”
Bianca leaned closer to Eddie. “Why are they bringing you a fire suit?”
Leo hung up his call and glanced between Eddie and Bianca. “Your boyfriend’s volunteered to be your stunt double and possibly saved us time and money trying to find a replacement.”
Apparently, selective hearing wasn’t only a kid’s ability. “I need to get permission?—”
“Technically, he’s my stunt double.” Carter puffed out his chest. “But you get the idea.” Carter gave a salute and headed toward a woman who’d just walked by carrying a drink tray.
Leo clapped. “I need this ball rolling. Where’s Grace?” He followed behind Carter.
Bianca dipped her chin. “You don’t have to do this.”
He couldn’t quite read the expression in her eyes. “Would you rather they find a union stunt double?”
She met his gaze then. “Seriously? You’ve saved me more times than I can ever repay you for. I want you to be the stunt guy. Always.”
Eddie’s own chest rose until she said, “Plus, it would take more time to find someone else. Do you know what happened to Hank?”
Eddie slid his hands into his pockets. “If that was the original stunt guy’s name, he’s refusing because of everything that’s been going wrong. Supposedly, he thinks the set’s cursed.”
Bianca sighed. “Not cursed. But sometimes I wonder if someone doesn’t want the movie to go ahead.”
“Well, the mayor does. Which is probably one of the reasons you’re still filming.” He extended the travel mug. “This is for you.”
She took it and moved the metal straw around, making it clink against the sides of the mug. “You made me an iced coffee? That’s so sweet. Thank you.”
Eddie pressed his lips together. Maybe this had been a stupid idea. “It probably would have made more sense to offer you caffeine in the morning, but no. I…it’s actually a marshmallow shake.”
Her eyes widened.
Was it a happy surprise or bad? Eddie put his hands in his pockets. “You mentioned wanting one yesterday, and with work and everything…I wasn’t sure you’d gotten one. So I put one in the travel mug so it wouldn’t melt.”
She finally took a sip. “Oh my goodness. It’s still frozen. How did you get this so early this morning?”
“It helps to be a regular customer.”
She took another drink. “You’re the best, Eddie. This is exactly what I needed.” She tucked herself into his side for a hug. Her arm slipped around his back and squeezed, but she released him much too fast for Eddie’s brain to respond.
She stepped away, and a strand of hair danced along her chin. The morning sunlight gave her face a soft glow.
He dropped his gaze to his shoes. He shouldn’t be thinking about brushing her hair back behind her ear.
“Frances always says if one of her regulars wants pancakes but it’s supper time, she personally goes into the kitchen and makes them.” She held out her drink. “Do you want some?”
Eddie shook his head.
“This will help me get through today’s filming.”
Here was the truth she wasn’t showing to Carter or Leo.
Eddie lowered his voice. “Finishing this movie, improving your career, the money, none of it is more important than you. Your safety.”
The truth needed to be spoken, even if it might reveal a little too much of his rising feelings.
Bianca rubbed one of her palms up and down the goosebumps along her arm. “I’m struggling with not obsessing over that option, but I wasn’t scheduled to do the river stunt. It’s only the dangerous stunts that need special permission that have gone crazy. Have you heard anything more about the construction worker?”
Macon had updated him before he’d headed to the set this morning. “He had a pacemaker, and it looks like it’s a heart-related death. Nothing to do with everything else.”
And they were right back to where they’d started. “You don’t have to do this next scene.”
Bianca raised her brows, and the straw made a sucking sound. “I’m pretty sure you don’t know how the movie business works. I have to do the work to get paid. Plus, if I can survive an almost drowning, doing a fire-and-rescue scene with a real firefighter should be easy. It’s you who doesn’t have to do this next stunt.”
“ Should be easy hasn’t exactly…”
Loud breathing made Eddie glance over his shoulder. Grace jogged toward them.
She stopped in front of them. “There was a reason I didn’t join the track team in high school.” With another exhale, she extended the clothes in her arms to Eddie. “Here. It’s time to go, Bianca. The limo is waiting. The mayor approved the smoke house, and some lieutenant is getting it set up for us.”
Eddie’s hands went through the right motions and took the firefighter outfit. The jacket resembled his turnout gear; however, the pants were too thin, and the helmet was lighter than standard issue. “The mayor?”
“What’s wrong?” Bianca whispered. “Can he not do that?”
Eddie began to wonder what Gregory couldn’t do. Besides approve the youth center for the grant on the first round.
He held out the uniform. “I suppose he can, though I hope my chief was warned. I still haven’t called him.”
He’d gotten sidetracked by a certain actress.
Eddie grimaced down at the pretend fire suit. “How about I wear my actual turnout gear? That way, if anything weird happens…”
Grace blew out another exhale and put her hands on top of her head, taking in another deep breath. “Can’t. You have to match Carter.” Her phone beeped from her pocket, and she dropped her arms. “Plus, there’s not supposed to be fire. Only smoke. Hopefully, it fits.” She inspected her phone. “Bianca, they need you in that limo, pronto.”
Bianca eyed the fire suit in Eddie’s hands. “I’ll ride with Eddie so I can talk him through the scene.”
Grace’s phone beeped again. “I’ll let them know.” She reached toward the travel mug in Bianca’s hand. “I can take that, if you’re finished with it?”
Bianca tucked the mug against her side. “Thanks, but it’s Eddie’s.”
Grace raised a brow. Her gaze pinballed between them. “O-kay. I’ll see everyone at the fire station then.”
After Grace left with a wide grin, Bianca bit the bottom of her lip. “Thanks again for the milkshake. Morning or night, I’ll always take one.”
Eddie smirked. “I understand now. You’re keeping me around for my rescue abilities and milkshake deliveries.”
Except she didn’t match his smile.
She shifted the travel mug to her other hand. “I’m pretty sure I never told you thanks for rescuing me for the millionth time last night. Thank you, Eddie. Grace said that you dove off that high…” She swallowed. “And I should have asked first if I could ride with you. If you don’t want me?—”
“There’s no point in driving separately.” Other than needing to keep his feelings securely off a future that wouldn’t end well. Not when the life of the woman before him wasn’t centered in Last Chance County.
He tucked the helmet and fire suit under his arm and walked beside Bianca. “Why isn’t Carter doing this scene? Especially if it’s only smoke.”
Bianca shrugged. “I don’t know what his contract says. All I know is that I do most of my stunts, but Carter rarely does any in this film.”
She rubbed her hands against her arms as if she was cold. “The location’s changed, but the scene setup should be the same. After you find me inside the house, I’ll say my lines. I don’t have very many. Then you carry me out. Once Leo says cut, you and Carter will switch places. Then the extras swarm around us.”
Eddie brushed off a fly that landed on the helmet. Bianca actually did want to ride with him to explain the scene. That really shouldn’t bother him.
She placed the travel mug and her hands back behind her, but not before he noticed that they were shaking.
He paused on the sidewalk, shifting the fire gear, and reached behind her and held one in his palm. “If you’re this nervous, you can tell them no.”
“Don’t you ever get nervous before you go out on a call? Hard things sometimes bring nerves. Doesn’t mean they’re always wrong.” She squeezed her fingers around his and then stepped into the parking lot. “This stunt is only going to be some smoke and nothing else, and it’s at your smoke house. Super safe, right?”
Eddie locked his jaw to keep from flinching. There had been the one time when the doors had locked and Macon and the woman who was now his wife had been locked inside. But it’d ended up being an accident. “Even if things do go wrong, I promise I’ll get you out.”
She gave him a soft smile and opened the passenger-side door. “I know. I trust you.”
Then why did she seem disappointed by that fact?
He also climbed into the truck, and once he was buckled, he started his vehicle.
She turned up the radio to an oldies song. “I was thinking…remember when I came to practice and first asked you for a favor, and Scarlette mentioned something about getting to be an extra? I would only need to text Grace, and we could probably make that happen.”
Eddie pulled out onto the road and turned in the opposite direction from the picketers, who were back again today. “She’d love it, but she’s in school.”
Bianca leaned her head back. “That’s right. Bummer. Okay, I’ll see if there’s another time she could come. And could you check with Jade before I bring it up with Scarlette?” She closed her eyes and massaged the space between her brows.
Eddie stopped at a red light. He should have brought her a coffee with her milkshake. Or maybe just a coffee milkshake. Did they make those? “You sure you’re up for this?”
She rested her hands in her lap and kept her eyes closed. “Waiting on my pain meds to kick in. Just a headache. Probably from lack of sleep last night. But the good news is, at least my stitches are healing well.”
She’d more than likely been up after his fire run. He should have called, since they’d exchanged numbers, and been there for her.
Eddie turned the radio to classical music and dialed down the volume. He figured that was more appropriate than offering for her to slide across the middle and use him as a pillow. His phone rang from its spot on the dash. Bianca stirred, and he hurried and silenced the ringer.
With a quick glance, he saw “Mary” as the caller.
His mother was as stubborn as he was.
He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel. It wasn’t like her to call and text him so much in such a short time. But she knew the rules. She could text. Which she hadn’t since the other day about his location change.
He flipped the phone over and put on his turn signal.
The street in front of the fire station was lined with cars, and the parking lot was near capacity. Once he parked his truck between two white passenger vans, he laid his hand on her arm. “Hey, we’re here.”
She released a little moan.
He traced his fingers up her arm. “Bianca…”
Her eyes fluttered opened, and a smile hit her lips until she sat up straight. “How long was I out?”
“Probably not long enough.”
She stared at the fire station. “I can sleep once the movie’s done filming. This place is bigger than I expected. Is the smoke house right there?”
He pointed to the back side of the truck bays. “No, that’s for the fire trucks. You can’t see the smoke house from the parking lot.”
Eddie led her around the back of the building, and Zack met up with them.
Zack hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “Too bad we couldn’t have charged for parking today. The youth center would finish out what you need in donations for the down payment in no time.”
Eddie shifted the fire suit in his arms and peeked at Bianca. They hadn’t exactly discussed who did or didn’t know about their deal.
But Bianca simply nodded. “I think it’s an excellent idea, Coach Zack.”
“Coach Bianca, it seems you’re wearing your acting hat today.” Zack flicked the helmet in Eddie’s hands. “What’s this for?”
Her smile vanished. “Eddie’s going to do a scene with me.”
Even without her expression change, her tone let him know how she really felt about his volunteering for the job.
“Huh,” was all that Zack said, but his gaze appeared to be calculating something.
Truck’s Lieutenant Amelia Patterson and Izan were inside the smoke house control shed, while Bryce and Ridge spoke with Leo and the mayor.
Gregory really did want the movie to finish.
Grace appeared beside a camera set outside the entrance to the smoke house. She waved at Bianca. “Riley needs to check your makeup.”
“Be right there.” Then to Eddie she said, “I guess I’ll see you in a few. Any other questions?”
Eddie took in the smoke house that now had a wreath on the door and a pair of old tennis shoes beside the entrance. “This is like one of my homes. I think I’m good.”
As she walked away, she glanced over her shoulder. “After this, I’d like a tour of that home.” She pointed to the fire station.
He gave her a thumbs-up. “That can be arranged.”
Zack cleared his throat. “You’ve never brought a girl home to us before.”
Eddie rolled his eyes. No, the one girl he’d planned to propose to had laughed in his face before she could meet his crewmates. Then he’d gotten serious about Bible study and changing his flirty ways. “Don’t start. This is work.”
“Work, right.” Zack chuckled. “That’s how it sometimes starts.”
“She can’t be what I’m looking for. Despite what movies showcase, a famous actress doesn’t fall for the boy next door.”
“What about for the hometown hero?” Zack rubbed a spot above his brow. “Plus, I found giving God the job of looking for my future spouse works out best.”
Eddie exhaled. Probably a bit too loudly. “God knows that because of my unstable past, I need a solid future. Not one built on half-truths, deals, and wishes.” He’d had plenty of that as a child. He’d wished that his family would get back together. Wished his mom would stay out of jail. Wished for things that only prevented the truth from sinking into his young mind.
Eddie inspected the film crew setting up in front of the smoke house. “I’m afraid to ask, but do you know if the chief was even called about all this?”
Zack raised his brow at one of the sound guys unloading a light reflector. “He was called by the mayor himself. All our training needed to be postponed for the movie crew. We’ve never seen so many people running around. It’s more chaotic than last Easter’s egg hunt at the park. But the chief won’t take it out on you. He wants Bianca safe almost as much as you do. We all are rooting for you two.”
Eddie bristled. “You know it’s only pretend.” All of the rescue squad plus Macon knew the truth about why Eddie had been hanging out at the film set. “Her being with me. You guys wasted too much time and energy on that class you so helpfully provided me.”
Zack laughed. “That class was entertaining once we got you bandaged up from your road rash.” Then he sobered. “Bianca’s a good actress, but I don’t think she’s always pretending with you. We know you’re not an actor, so…”
Eddie put on the fake uniform helmet. “Yeah, well, it’s not like she has a future in Last Chance County.”
One of the reasons he needed to keep his head on his shoulders.
Zack patted Eddie’s back. “Remember, don’t limit God’s plans. He has everything worked out. The future might surprise you. It sure did with me and Naya.”
Zack may have gotten his happily ever after with his long-lost friend he’d made in foster care, but Eddie needed to focus on the kids he mentored. Their needs were more important than his dating life.
“A small town isn’t the kind of place a movie star lives long-term.” Eddie checked his phone. No new texts or calls. “Plus, I’ve got other stuff to worry about.”
Zack faced him. “Like what?”
Eddie crossed his arms. “My mother called.”
Zack narrowed his eyes. “What does Mary want?”
Eddie slipped his phone back into his pocket. “She hasn’t left a message or text, other than the one from the other day that I told you about.”
Zack frowned. “Next time she calls, I’ll answer…if you want?”
A good friend. But not needed. “She knows the deal. She can text.”
Leo put a megaphone up to his mouth. “Places, everyone.”
Eddie pulled on the fire suit. “Guess this is it.”
Zack winked. “Might be the beginning of your film career.”
Eddie turned toward the cameras, but then over his shoulder said, “Maybe you should think about going into comedy.”
Zack’s laugh lasted until Eddie made it all the way over to Leo.
Leo gave him a once-over. “The suit fits. Good. So, you enter. Find Bia in the back room. Carry her out. Easy peasy. Let’s get this in one take, everyone.”
Carter came over and snapped on his own firefighter helmet that matched Eddie’s. “Don’t mess up by staring at the cameras.”
Eddie clenched his jaw. “I’ll just pretend I’m a real firefighter.”
Carter whipped around. “Acting is harder than it looks.”
Man, that guy. Eddie rolled his shoulders back. He needed to focus on his task and not worry about Carter. No wonder Bianca had said sometimes crews didn’t bond.
Eddie took his mark on the front step.
At Leo’s call to action, Eddie touched the door handle with the back of his hand like he would on a real fire call to feel if there was any heat on the door. It was cool. He opened the door and rushed in.
Smoke fogged his vision. Except this was nothing like a real-life fire or their practice simulations. Only in movies and on television did a fire scene still have enough visibility to actually see where he needed to go.
He moved through to the back room and turned to the right.
But instead of a dummy, like in their fire drills, Bianca lay on the ground in the corner. His boots thumped against the floor beneath him, but she didn’t move when he entered.
His chest squeezed tight. Had something gone wrong?
He rushed to her and fell to his knees beside her. “Bianca!”
“Don’t talk,” she whispered. “Just scoop me up. And wait for my lines.”
Carter had been right. Eddie was no actor.
He picked her up and easily cradled her to his chest.
She gasped and placed her hand on his cheek, stopping Eddie’s legs from moving.
“You came. Why did you give up those clues? I can’t believe you traded something that valuable for me.”
His arms tightened around her body, hugging her against his chest. Somewhere in his brain, Eddie knew she was quoting her lines.
Except in reality, she was far more valuable than she realized. Not only to God as a person but who she was becoming to Eddie. Even days ago, he’d hoped she’d come to their baseball game. Not that he’d shown it well after Scout got hurt. He’d gone out of his way for a stupid milkshake because he’d wanted her to share her genuine smile with him.
She was worth diving into the river. Braving a car. Now stunt doubling. He really would go to any length to save her. Because of his training and his job…or for something that wasn’t feeling so fake between them?
Eddie stared at the woman looking back at him. She’d somehow seeped into his life, and he didn’t hate it.
Lord, could this really be the woman for me? Because it doesn’t make sense!
“Eddie?” she whispered.
Right. The movie. Their deal. All pretend. Or at least on her part.
He spun around and sprinted back out of the house.
“Cut!” Leo squinted at the playback camera. “We can use that. Thanks, Eddie and firefighters. Now, let’s get the next scene with all the extras. Carter, jump in there.”
Carter stopped in front of Eddie and held out his arms. “I’ll take her off your hands. It’ll give us extra time to practice our kiss.”
Kiss. Eddie’s eyes found Bianca’s lips as if on their own.
Of course costars might kiss on film.
Bianca met Eddie’s gaze. “It’s only pretend.”
Pretend. Just like she’s doing with me. Here he’d been thinking how a future together may not be that crazy of an idea. But this was work to her. Only a deal to get what they both wanted.
She tapped her fingers on Eddie’s shoulder. “You can put me down now.”
Eddie set her feet on the ground as Carter stepped next to Bianca. Carter pulled from his pocket what looked like the scene’s script. “Won’t be too much longer until our big scene.” He rolled up the script, and his grin slid from her to Eddie. “Then it will be my turn to have her all to myself. It’s about time too. My views have been suffering.” He sent Eddie a hooded glare.
With his arms now empty, Eddie needed something to hold on to. He folded his arms across his chest. What Carter said shouldn’t matter. Bianca was an actress, and the most important thing Eddie needed to remember was that they weren’t really dating. Didn’t matter what false hope Zack had planted in his head.
However, that didn’t exactly make the knot in Eddie’s chest disappear.
“Hush, Carter.” Bianca repositioned one of her curls. “Other people can hear you.”
Carter’s face erupted into a grin, and he gave her a wink. “Good. Maybe the timetable can get back to what it was supposed to be from the beginning, according to the movie promotion clauses in our contracts.” Carter pointed the paper at Bianca. “Sweetheart, he may be helping your social standings, but…” He flapped the script at Eddie. “He’s not doing a thing for my career.”
Eddie locked his jaw. Perhaps the director would need him to do a stunt where he could tackle Carter and wipe the smugness off his face.
Bianca grabbed the script from Carter, unrolled the paper, and flipped to the third page. “Thanks so much for filling in, Eddie.”
Eddie took off his helmet. Obviously, it was time for her to pretend with someone else. At least they were at the station. He had actual work that could be done, and he didn’t need to watch Bianca kiss anyone. Real or not. “No problem. I’ll see you around.”
Or he’d finally run that found key to the police station.
Bianca looked up from the script and scowled. “Eddie, wait. What about the tour?—”
“Clear the set,” one of the assistants called.
Eddie obeyed the instruction and headed toward the firehouse.
Leo yelled behind him. “Extras, on my mark, run toward the happy couple.”
Eddie’s boots thumped against the sidewalk to the bays. All of that over Eddie’s shoulder wasn’t his world. It was all pretend, and he needed to remember that.
Before he made it to the truck bay, Grace jogged up to him. “Thanks for helping us out, Eddie.”
“No problem,” he grumbled.
“Umm…if you don’t want to make the trip, I can take the fire suit back to the set for you. I know Bianca’s done for a few hours after this, and it would be great to get a few shots of you guys together.”
Eddie stopped, and a sigh escaped his mouth. He pulled off the uniform. “I think she’s about done with my help.”
Grace glanced over her shoulder. “For what it’s worth, Carter’s focused on his career, not Bianca.”
He placed his helmet on top of the folded jacket and fire pants and handed them over. “It doesn’t matter if Carter does have his eye on Bianca.”
Grace tapped her finger on top of the helmet. For one, two of his heartbeats.
“Eddie!”
He turned toward Bianca’s voice.
She raised her hand over the crowd. “Wait. We need you.”
His heart beat oddly in his chest until Bianca pointed at a woman beside her. Apparently, his real career would have to wait again. The other woman wore a bright pink shirt and had slick straight hair that reflected the sunlight as she marched faster than Bianca toward him.
How many assistants did one movie need? He didn’t recognize her. “Do I need to redo the fire scene?”
The woman lifted her chin, and her brown eyes locked onto Eddie’s.
No. It couldn’t be.
The woman waved, and her mouth popped open into a grin that he’d never seen on her before. “Eddington!”
Eddie stiffened. How he wished this were a movie scene instead of real life. Wished his legs would turn him around and sprint for the fire station.
Her black pearl necklace swayed across her chest as she snaked forward in heels he’d never once known her to have owned. The closer she got, the clearer the wrinkle lines around her eyes and mouth showed, despite her thick pink eyeshadow.
She stretched her arms out wide, and Eddie took a step back.
How was his mother in here? But more importantly, why had she hunted him down after ten long years?