Chapter 3 #2
“Migraine hangover.” They all knew about her debilitating headaches as she’d gotten them on set already.
“I’m sorry. Need a break?”
“Maybe fifteen minutes. I’ll lie down in my trailer and put a cold compress over my eyes.”
“Go ahead, honey. Forget about us out here.” He turned to the others. “I want to see…” He named three men in the next scene.
Elise walked slowly to her trailer which was located next to the medical trailer. Once inside, she did exactly as John had suggested—took some ibuprofen, got the cold pack out of the freezer and stretched out on the bed.
Again, her mind drifted…
Elise smiled over at Finn. His boyish hair was even more tousled and the sex had brought color to his cheeks. “Good morning.”
“’Morning. How do you look so good as soon as you wake up?”
“I was going to ask you the same thing.”
Leaning over, he kissed her briefly on the mouth. “I had a wonderful time last night.”
She blushed. She’d come…three times. “Me, too.”
“Do you have to work today?”
“No. I’m off.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear,” he said, pulling her over him…
A loud knock on the door. Who was at Finn’s? Then she came fully awake, said, “Just a second,” got up, went to the living space and opened the door.
John stayed on the steps. “Hey, Elise. Doing better?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s been an hour.”
Her eyes rounded. “I slept that long? Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?”
“We shot around you.”
“Oh, wow. I’ll be right out.”
“Go to hair and makeup first.”
“Will do.”
She used the bathroom, washed her face then stepped out into the bright lights. She shaded her eyes. The day was lovely now. All sunny and bright. At the makeup trailer, she sat down and her stylist came up behind her. “Another headache?”
“No, Nance, leftovers.”
“Yuck.” Nancy also got migraines. “I’ll fix you right up.”
She fluffed and sprayed her hair.
She cleansed Elise’s face then gently applied makeup. “There, like new.”
“Thanks, Nance.” She walked outside again and over to the set. “Sorry, guys,” she said to the crew.
“No worries.”
“We needed a break.”
“Feel better?”
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time filming was delayed because of her headaches. She hoped Finn’s suggestions could help her with them. She was tired of being sick.
After work, Elise was drained, but restless too. Unfortunately, she knew why. Finn. Her driver arrived and she got inside. “Home, Elise?” he asked.
“No, Jimmy. I have an appointment at the Harmony Healing Collective.”
“Where we were yesterday?
“Yes.”
They drove the half-hour to the site of the collective. It was seven at night, but the six practitioners were all open and busy tonight. She got out of the car and told Jimmy to go get something to eat. She’d be an hour and a half.
Finn was in his office when she arrived. It seemed so long ago that she’d thrown a tantrum out here in the reception area, disturbing his client. She crossed to his door; he looked up and smiled broadly. Standing, he was cute in his jeans and white collared shirt. “Hi, there.”
“Hi. Feeling better?”
“Better, yes. Still shaky. It lingers like this sometimes.”
“Let’s see what we can do about that.”
“No infertility session?”
“I think we should put that on hold. We have to get these headaches under control first.”
“Whatever you say.”
He stood close behind her as they crossed into the treatment room. His woodsy scent filled her head.
She smiled. “I have pleasant associations with this room.”
“Reiki has that effect on people.”
She lifted the arm of the chair, sat down on the cushy foam and stretched out. He dimmed the lights. “We can start now.”
“No music or scent?” she asked.
“Nope. Not for migraines.” He let her settle then placed his hands behind her ears…
Finn watched while she awoke and became aware of her surroundings. “I, um, dozed.”
“You did.” He adjusted the chair to an upright position then tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. It was as silky and as thick as it looked.
And totally inappropriate to touch her like that.
“Dozing off is the biggest sign that the treatment worked.”
“I feel like I slept through the whole thing. Did it go well?”
“You tell me.” He knew it had because he felt the warmth and flow of the energy source. And this time he could literally feel the imbalances and the blockages seep out of her.
“I’m energized. I barely dragged myself in here.”
“That’s what reiki is supposed to do.” He walked to the door and opened it. The light from the waiting room filtered in.
“My head doesn’t hurt.”
“It shouldn’t.”
“Usually, even when the pain has passed, I’m uncomfortable for a few days.”
“Not with reiki.”
He raised the arm on the chair, then offered his hand. She took it. Again, the electrical response shot from her to him.
“What was that?” she asked. She felt it this time.
“Our connection. It’s common after a session, though I don’t usually touch my clients.”
“Hmm.” She swung her feet over the side. “I think I’m all right.”
“That’s good.”
He hesitated. Boy, he didn’t want her to leave.
“Can I buy you dinner?” she asked.
“Um…I don’t socialize with my patients.”
“You don’t usually sleep with them either.”
“Pardon me?”
She laughed. It was low and husky. “Two nights ago. At your house.”
“You’re right about that.”
“We can go as friends, Finn. I promise. I don’t…I don’t want to leave you yet.”
He should not go. But the attraction was strong. Which violated all his ethics. He had to refuse.
He couldn’t. “You win,” he said. “Dinner it is. Should we go to Black and Blue?”
“No. Too many associations.”
“I know a place five minutes from here. Cutali’s.”
“I love Italian food. I’ll meet you there.”
“Nah. Let’s ride together then I’ll bring you home. You can dismiss your driver for the night.”
“I’d like that.”
Soon, they were ensconced at a table in the small and intimate restaurant. Traditional checkered table clothes and red napkins graced the whole place. Tuscany murals hung on the walls. “There’s another location of this restaurant near my house, right on the canal.”
“I’ll bet it’s lovely, sitting outside on the water.”
“Yeah, it is.” They ordered sparkling water as he didn’t think alcohol was good for her tonight. “So tell me about your life, Elise.”
“That’s pretty general.”
“Where did you grow up? Your family. Friends.”
“I grew up in LA, not the rich part. Single mother, no known father. I was independent way too early in my life.”
Their drinks came. He took a sip and watched as she undid the straw and put it between her lips. They were covered in raisin colored lipstick. Oh, damn.
He cleared his throat. “Were you a wild child?”
“No, actually, I was very focused. I had two jobs in high school and got into a college that offered an acting major. I got noticed by a director and he auditioned me for a role in a minor film. From there, I went on to success.”
“How did the director notice you?”
“His niece was in a play at the school. I had the lead and he said later he knew I was destined for great things.”
“Wow. A dream come true.”
“Yeah. I quit college, though. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t. I missed a lot.”
“Like what?”
“Sneaking out of the dorm. Frat parties. Studying with friends.”
“Ah.” Their waiter came back and took their orders. After he left, Finn started to ask another question.
“Nope.” She covered his hand with hers. This time, desire flowed between them. She swallowed hard. “First I want to hear about you.”
He shrugged. “I had a good childhood. I have a twin, so I always had a playmate and confidante.”
“Always?”
“Yep. She’s my best friend now. I’m also close to two of the practitioners at the Harmony.”
“Who?”
“Juliet, whom you met. And Oliver. His area of expertise is massage therapy.”
“What about college?”
“I went to business school right here in Rockford, like my dad. Fiona went for teaching. We hated being apart, so eventually, she transferred to my school, which also offered education degrees. We got an apartment together for our last three years.”
“I envy your closeness.”
“I treasure it. And by the way, you’re her favorite actor.”
“That’s sweet.” Her face lit from within. “Does she have a favorite movie?”
“Yeah. Take Me With You.”
She grinned. “I loved that one.”
“She also has two kids. Twins.”
“Oh, my gosh.”
“Yeah, I have an affinity with both of them. The twin thing, I guess.”
“That is all so sweet.” She sighed. “You are so lucky.”
“I know.”
Their lasagna arrived. They dug into the spicy sauce, creamy ricotta and ground beef, ate two pieces of bread each, and a salad with their meal. Afterward, she held his gaze. “I can’t remember the last time I ate that much. Or enjoyed my companion for dinner as much as I have with you.”
This time he took hold of her fingers and rubbed them. Sensuously. The desire flared again. “It’s the same for me, Elise.”
Her eyes locked with his. “I’m glad.”