Chapter VIII
VIII
Levi
The hum of the plane’s engines is trying to lull me to sleep.
The oversize leather seat I’m in and the blanket that’s definitely not from Basic Economy aren’t helping.
But I’ll be damned if I miss the chance to get in good with Colt.
Four hours next to him while flying private on the way to Tennessee, where we’ll be for the next eight weeks, is an opportunity I can’t miss.
“And that’s when the DP told the crew that they had accidentally deleted all of the prior day’s work,” Colt says with a laugh, lifting a lowball glass filled with amber liquid to his lips.
A matching glass sits on the wood-paneled table to my left.
Colt passed them around like he was starting a fraternity and booed when one of his co-stars politely declined.
“So you had to film the entire day over?” I’m edging myself into a conversation I have no real context for, to show him I’m attentive. Succeeding in this role and securing my next will be easier if Colt can put in a good word with his wife.
“Yep. Had to call back some of the bit players who’d already gone home and cast a full new set of extras. Cost the production seven figures to fix that mistake.”
“Who eats that cost?”
“Frannie!” He calls to Francesca, one row ahead on the opposite side. She straightens her button-down before looking our way, her eyes dull and joined by a half-frown. She’s annoyed to be pulled away from talking to Ana, who’s sitting next to her.
“Yes?”
“The day we refilmed for Galaxy’s End—who paid for that? Levi’s asking.”
I catch Ana’s gaze when he says my name and, God, she looks so comfortable here.
At ease in a world as foreign to me as it is familiar to her.
She tilts her head and pulls her lips into a soft smile as if to say, You good?
I nod and return the gesture before grabbing my glass for a drink.
The whiskey burns on the way down, but I don’t miss the way she watches as I swallow, which warms me nearly as much.
“Production has a budget that includes flexibility for unforeseen issues.” Francesca pulls my attention back to the conversation—my task here—and away from the cut of Ana’s shirt, which sits tight across her waist and hangs softer over her shoulders.
Francesca waves off Colt. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to return to chatting with Ana about more interesting things than film budgets. ”
“What could be more interesting than what I have to say?” He throws her a megawatt smile.
“We’re commiserating about how to deal with men.
Ones like you.” She turns her gaze to me and holds eye contact.
“Actually, like you too, Levi. We all saw the photos from the gym. You don’t mind getting handsy, do you?
” She nudges Ana with her shoulder, a smirk on her face, as sweeping heat rises on my neck.
I can tolerate the embarrassment given how pleased Francesca looks about the recent coverage.
When I smile and take another drink, she nods in approval.
Whatever she was looking for me to do, I must’ve done it.
Colt, oblivious to the whole silent exchange, slaps me on the shoulder before raising his glass to Francesca.
“I love ya, babe. To fifteen years happily married, and eighteen overall.” This prompts a laugh from everyone, and my ears home in on Ana’s.
It’s light, but also bottom-heavy, like a bubble dripping with extra solution.
There’s more substance to it than it seems, if someone’s willing to look beyond the beautiful part.
“What was I saying?” Colt motions for an attendant to top up his drink. “Thank you, beautiful.” He turns to me. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
I stay silent given that his wife and my (supposed) girlfriend are sitting right there. I wait for someone to call him out, but no one does. Apparently when you have this level of success, you can get away with it.
“Oh yeah, so the situation with the DP. It all worked out, like Frannie said, but they won’t be invited back to work on one of our productions. We don’t do second chances.”
He says it casually, but it rings like a warning. “Seems perfectly reasonable to me,” I say, clinking his glass before we both sip.
He gives me a nod, and it’s enough to make me think he’s starting to like me. And based on the bits of conversation I’m picking up, Francesca is warming to Ana.
We haven’t started filming yet, but so far, everything is going according to plan. When we land, the next phase starts: Keep everyone happy, and don’t make mistakes.