Chapter 33
TASHA
Tasha ended her call to Dale assuring him Riley was behaving for the most part when she spotted Callum descending the stairs from the trailer.
She wondered whether he had noticed her annoyance seeing him holding hands with Beth.
She hadn’t thought Callum was the sort of man to mess a woman around, but what did she know?
If she was truly honest with herself, Tasha knew her insight into men’s characters and behaviours were very limited.
Serves her right, she supposed, for putting so much emphasis on her career rather than her personal life.
It was so long since she’d had a significant other that she barely remembered what it felt like to have to consider another person in your daily plans.
Or, she realised, to spend evenings and holidays with someone else.
She smiled to herself as it dawned on her that it was probably close to six years since she had taken any time for a holiday.
‘How’s it going?’
She had been so busy daydreaming that she hadn’t noticed Callum walk up to her. ‘Fine, I think. Did I see Riley going to the trailer a short while ago?’
Callum nodded. ‘As I was leaving I heard him ask Erin to join him for lunch.’
‘They should be ready for your first scene soon, but we can then go and meet up with Lettie and Brodie for something to eat.’
He grinned at her. ‘I’m looking forward to that.’
Tasha studied his face. ‘You look different with your hair swept to the side like that.’
He didn’t seem happy about it. ‘I’d never choose to wear it this way.’
‘I think it suits you in a kind of…’ She struggled to think of the right way to describe what she meant.
‘Preppy sort of way?’
Tasha threw her head back and laughed.
The sound was so infectious Callum found himself joining in and laughing too. ‘Hey,’ he said, pretending to be offended. ‘It wasn’t that amusing.’
She wiped her eyes with the backs of her fingers. ‘It was though.’ She took her hanky from her pocket and blew her nose. ‘Sorry. That really tickled me.’
‘Why?’ he asked, still amused but confused.
‘All you need is a cable-knit cream sweater over your shoulders and a smart pair of chinos.’
He waved her away. ‘Rude. That’s what you are.’
She shook her head, still laughing. ‘Sorry.’
‘It’s fine,’ he assured her. ‘I’m teasing.’
‘Anyway,’ she said, finally gaining control of her laughter. ‘I didn’t say you weren’t hot, looking like you do.’
His smile vanished and he stared at her, a stunned expression on his face.
Tasha’s stomach clenched when she realised she had voiced her thoughts. She cringed. ‘Er, I didn’t intend saying that out loud.’
His face softened. ‘Don’t be sorry. I’m not offended.’ He turned his palms upwards and shrugged. ‘I might not choose to dress this way but I’m happy to hear you approve.’
‘Callum Preston?’ One of the runners hurried over to join them. He gave Tasha an apologetic look. ‘Sorry to interrupt, but they need Mr Preston now for his scene.’
‘I’m on my way.’
He gave Tasha a knowing look, clearly aware she was relieved someone had turned up just at that moment to save her any more embarrassment.
She watched him walk away, mortified by what she had said. He was hot though, she mused, reminding herself immediately afterwards that whatever he was, she never would have meant to announce it to him in the way that she had done.
‘Urgh.’
‘Something the matter?’ Riley asked as he appeared from the trailer looking very pleased with himself.
She was relieved to have work to focus on again so that she didn’t keep playing what she had just done over and over in her head. ‘It’s fine. You OK though?’
‘I am.’ He heard his name being called and turned to respond. ‘I see your friend is ready to do his first scene.’
‘He is,’ Tasha said. ‘It’s not something he’s used to, so please be gentle with him.’
Riley raised an eyebrow. ‘I’ll do my best not to trip him up or anything.’
Aware Riley was joking but also that he could just as easily do exactly what he had said, Tasha walked with him to join the others. ‘Whatever you do, just remember, if you want to impress Erin Preston, then upsetting her brother or making a fool of him is the very last thing you should do.’
Riley’s step faltered. ‘Yes, that’s a good point. Fine. I’ll be kind to the guy.’
‘I’ll wait for you over here.’ Tasha found a sheltered place next to the barn wall out of the sunshine. It was hotter today than she had expected. In more ways than one.