Chapter 9 #2
By the time she closed the door, he’d climbed out and was coming around the hood.
“What’s wrong?”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her until there was no air left. Not in her lungs, and maybe not even in the whole state of Montana. She dragged her mouth from his with a gasp.
“Good night, Lila,” he whispered and let her go.
“Uh-huh,” she murmured, making sure her legs weren’t too wobbly before she turned and walked straight to the motel entrance, and right past Baxter without a single word.
AFTER BEING RECRUITED to do makeup on the principals some time around eleven the next morning, Lila had been bombarded with work the rest of the day.
She’d skipped lunch, which wasn’t unusual, but she hated that she’d gotten only a glimpse of Clint.
She’d completely forgotten his scene was being shot in town.
Erin had been just as swamped. They’d met up once, briefly, but too many people had been around so they couldn’t really talk. In the old days, Lila would’ve called her the minute she’d left Clint last night and talked for an hour, with Lila spilling everything down to the last detail.
Things were different now that Spencer was in the picture. Erin wouldn’t have minded if Lila had called. If anything, Erin would be royally pissed if she knew the reason for Lila’s hesitation.
Instead of their traditional postdate chat, Lila had looked at pictures of the family Christmas tree that Britney had sent to her phone. God, she hated not being there to shop and make Christmas cookies, do all the things she loved about the season.
Why did life have to throw so many curveballs at once? Being a grown-up and working in glamorous Hollywood had sounded like a lot more fun at thirteen.
At 4:30 p.m., Lila finally had a chance to breathe. She’d splurged on a scrawny wreath she’d found at the small grocery store in town and had just hung it on the trailer door when Erin jogged toward her, an apple in each hand.
“You got a few?” she asked.
“Not really.”
“Come anyway.” Erin stopped and frowned at the wreath. “That’s pretty sad.”
“I know. Better than nothing.”
Erin turned to study Lila. “You probably didn’t have lunch,” she said, handing her an apple and pulling a flattened protein bar out of her jeans pocket.
Lila wasn’t interested in the bar, but she knew better than to refuse it. “Where are we going?”
“Nowhere. I just wanted a chance to talk. Walk fast—”
“And look busy. Got it.”
Munching their apples, they headed in the opposite direction of the craft services table where most of the extras had gathered. Lila knew there was a good chance Clint had left. Or else he was still shooting in town, but she swept a glance around anyway.
“Do you like Clint?” Lila asked. “I do. I like him.”
Erin gave her a long look and laughed. “Yeah, I know.”
“What? He’s really a nice guy.”
“Why are you being defensive? I agree. I wanted to hear about what happened at the motel. Why do you think we’re power walking in the friggin’ cold?” Erin shivered and put her hood up. “Did you have sex with him?”
Lila laughed. This was the old Erin. Thank God. “He took me to that steak house in town for dinner. Then we drove around, rehearsed his lines and looked at Christmas lights.”
Erin chewed and swallowed a bite of apple. “But did you have sex?”
“No. We didn’t.”
“Why not?”
“I met the man two days ago. Have you ever known me to hook up with anyone that fast?” Lila slowed down and studied her friend. “What is going on with you?”
“No, you’re right.” Erin slowed as well.
They’d passed the last trailer, and no one was within earshot.
Lately, a chance for a quick chat didn’t get better than this.
“Clint’s different—” She shrugged. “You know how you get a gut feeing about someone. I think he’s a good guy,” Erin said, “and it’s been a while since you’ve hooked up with anyone, so I was hoping the two of you had clicked. ..”
“Are you feeling guilty because you’re staying with Spencer? Because if you are, knock it off. I’m happy for you. Spencer seems great, and if you weren’t making time for him, I’d have to kick your butt.”
Erin grinned. “You could try.”
“Wipe that smirk off your face. I’ve been pretty darn good about sticking up for myself and being assertive.”
“Huh,” Erin muttered with a thoughtful frown. “You really have. Well, at least Baxter’s good for something.”
“Practice?”
“Yep.”
They both laughed.
“Okay, one more thing,” Lila said as they started walking again.
“In the interest of full disclosure, I’m very envious of you and Spencer.
Not to be mistaken for jealousy. Just please don’t think you have to push Clint and I together.
I like him. I really do.” Staring at the Rockies, she sighed.
“Things were going well last night, and I know it’s stupid, but part of me kept waiting for something to go wrong.
Once sex entered the picture... Well, I didn’t want what we had to end in disappointment because I misinterpreted the situation. ”
Erin nodded with understanding. She’d been there with Lila, through the tears and regret, when she’d discovered a guy she really liked had been more invested in sex with her than in her as a person.
“Of course there’s always that risk,” Erin said. “But I think Clint’s the real deal. Hell, I don’t know, maybe there’s something about cowboys. They’re a different breed. Spencer certainly is.”
Lila smiled, wondering if Erin knew how her face lit up every time she mentioned his name. “Clint and I have a date Saturday night. I’m pretty sure it’ll have a happy ending.”
“Bring it home, sister,” Erin said, holding up a hand.
Lila slapped a high five.
They lost their grins at the sound of Erin’s name riding on the brisk wind, and turned toward the voice.
Baxter was standing near the clothes trailer.
“Jesus, he’s got a cell phone and a walkie-talkie,” Erin said, acknowledging him with a wave. “The dumb ass probably doesn’t know how to use them.”
Lila groaned inwardly when Erin started toward him. “Hey, have you got anything for me?” she asked casually as she fell into step with her. “You know, in the interest of full disclosure?”
Dread flickered in Erin’s face before she looked away. She shrugged. “I don’t think so,” she said. “If he turns up missing, everyone would know it’s me. Catch you later.”
Lila’s chest tightened with the grim certainty she hadn’t been wrong. Something was going on with Erin. Yet, after a twenty-year friendship and countless secrets that bonded them, she’d chosen not to share it with Lila.
Her spirits lifted when she spotted Clint. He was talking to a wrangler near the corrals. Lila didn’t hesitate. She changed course and headed toward him, and the comfort she knew he’d give her.