13. Oliver #2
I stepped out of my trailer, my gaze immediately going to where the people from Kind of a Big Dill were set up.
I found Kassie easily, her bright hair shining in the sun.
She was laughing as she worked, standing next to Quinn.
The air was heavy with the aroma of the food—rich and pungent.
I knew Davis had ordered ranch-style food in keeping with the theme of the movie.
Roasted meats, potatoes. Hearty chili and cornbread.
Vegetarian options for those who preferred to go meatless.
Salads and side dishes that made my mouth water, like baked beans, coleslaw, and the best mac and cheese I would ever eat, according to Kassie.
And there were pies, cookies, and all sorts of decadent treats.
Gluten-free choices. Davis had thought of everything, although he insisted it was Quinn who suggested most of it, once she went through his list. He wanted everyone to eat, and from the tables of food I could see, he had accomplished his goal.
He was talking to Quinn and Kassie, and I headed in that direction.
I hadn’t spoken to Kassie since that night at her place.
Her door remained shut when I got home later in the evenings.
There were no other offers to use the hot tub, although I knew if I asked her, she would say yes but not come outside to join me.
If she answered the door.
I didn’t risk it.
But she was on my mind constantly. Her voice, her scent, the way she looked when she laughed. I loved how she teased me. The way she listened. Seemed to understand and had forgiven me.
At least, I thought she had. I liked how she treated me like Oliver. Just Oliver. Not the actor. And I loved how she looked when she stared at me in desire.
I didn’t want her looking at Davis that way. Or any other man.
Kassie looked up as I walked over to the table. Our gazes locked, her cheeks flooding with color as I stared at her.
“Oliver,” Quinn greeted me. John waved from the huge barbecue where he was basting one of the many roasts they would be serving. I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, waved at John, then spoke to Kassie.
“Hello, my lovely girl.”
Davis’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Quinn looked delighted, and Kassie glared. I chuckled at her murderous expression. It made her even more attractive.
“Any blueberry pies today?” I asked.
Kassie shook her head. “No.”
It was my turn to look surprised. “No?” I asked, disappointed. “Why?”
“It stains your teeth,” she snapped. “You need to look good on camera.”
I leaned close. “I’ll brush them twice. It’s my favorite. You’re teasing, right?” I touched the end of her nose. “Right?”
Quinn started to laugh. “Of course there’s blueberry. Kassie brought extra.” She grinned. “Now I know why.”
It was her turn to get one of Kassie’s murderous glances. Davis looked between us, shaking his head. “An hour, you said, Quinn?”
“Yes. We’ll be all ready right on time.”
“Great. Oliver, I want to do a run-through of the barn scene after lunch with you and Shawna. I’m worried about the shadows the high windows might cause. I want the lighting right.”
“Sure.” Shawna played my love interest in the movie.
She was fun to work with, constantly smiling.
It had a lot to do with the fact that her new husband, Wayne, was on set and followed her around with his love-struck eyes.
She made sure to know her lines, her marks, and we often got our scenes down on the first take.
It allowed her to “rest” in her trailer more.
I never mentioned to her that resting didn’t usually rock a trailer. Her need to be with her husband made my life easier.
I hung around, catching up with John and some of the other “Dill” people and watching Kassie. She fascinated me. When we were younger, I recalled my mother calling me obsessed with her—I had scoffed loudly at her words.
But as usual, back then and now, she was correct.
Kassie had always been one of my favorite views to watch, but she had an added layer now.
She used to be shy, sweet. Her shoulders bowed a little, her gaze downcast. Now, she held herself straight, walked with a quiet confidence, although at times I still caught her shyness coming out.
She was quick to help others, stepping in wherever she was required.
She laughed on occasion, and I smiled when I heard the sound.
She was kind, offering a smile or a word of encouragement to the younger staff they had brought.
And she was artlessly sexy as she moved—her hips swaying in the simple skirt she wore.
The material swirled around her knees, riding up and showing me glimpses of her bare thighs when she bent over to pick up something.
The sunlight made her hair glow a burnished red.
She wore it in a long ponytail today. The simple T-shirt skimmed her curves, and I caught a sliver of her stomach when she lifted her arms to grab an item for Quinn.
“Why don’t you just go over, throw her over your shoulder, and take her to your trailer?
” John murmured. “You might as well, given all the energy you’re expending ogling her.
” He basted the roast, nodding in satisfaction as he checked the internal temperature.
“Or throw down behind the trees over there, if you’re that impatient. ”
“Stop being a jackass,” I muttered.
“What’s going on between the two of you?”
“Nothing,” I replied. “Sadly, fucking nothing.”
“I see.”
“She’s too worried about being hurt again.”
He took a swig of water and nodded. “I get that. Prove to her she doesn’t have to worry. Be honest. Lay it on the line. Tell her what you want. Maybe she wants the same thing.”
I widened my eyes in pretend shock. “She wants a passionate, time-limited affair with herself?”
He laughed. “Now who’s being a jackass? You know what I mean.” He pushed his hat off his forehead. “Is that all you want, Oliver? A fast fling with your ex? To revisit the glory days of the past?”
I crossed my arms. “No.”
“Are you looking for something serious?”
“Do I have to be looking for anything? Can’t two people just agree to enjoy some time together and not put a label on it?”
“Maybe some. I recall you being all in years ago. Dead set on a future with her. Can you keep it casual?”
I scrubbed my face. “I don’t know.”
He nodded in understanding. “You need to decide. Heartbreak is a tough thing to get over.”
“I don’t want to hurt her.”
John slapped my arm. “I wasn’t talking about her, Oliver. There is more than one heart involved here.”
Then he turned and walked over to Quinn, leaving me wondering what he meant by that.