Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“ T hey all understood the assignment,” Hudson said as he joined Lauren and Eloise at their table. He’d just finished filming Katy and Billy talking at the bar. Now they were on the dance floor and one of the other camera guys was filming that area. He took a sip of his beer, the first he’d had that night as he’d been so busy filming.
“They all seem pretty coupled up. Maybe even more so than the other night?” Lauren said.
Hudson nodded. “Yeah, and we have the added element of Sami and a potential love triangle with Katy and Billy. Katy’s face is very expressive.”
“I hope that she doesn’t get hurt.” Lauren still worried about Katy with Billy. She knew it would make for good TV, but she’d still rather have less drama if it meant someone going through the pain that she’d felt when Billy cheated.
“I’ve been watching Sami, and we read up about her more this morning. I think she may be like a female Billy. She just likes to flirt and not get too serious,” Eloise said.
“I wonder if that’s how she really is, or just how she projects—making it seem like she doesn’t care when she actually does. Like in her dating diaries, she often falls fast for these guys and then doesn’t understand why it doesn’t work out,” Lauren said.
“She’s a beautiful girl,” Hudson said. “But if she changes her tune with these guys, saying she wants casual and then suddenly wants to be serious—there may be a disconnect there.”
A good song came on and Lauren felt like dancing. They hadn’t been out on the dance floor all night because they were there to work. But it was late, and she knew the band wasn’t going to play for much longer. She looked at Eloise and Hudson. “Let’s go dance.”
Hudson stood, but Eloise didn’t move. “You guys go. I’m tired.”
The dance floor was crowded, but they made their way to where the rest of their group was dancing. They were all out there, even Sami, with a good-looking guy she’d met at the bar.
“Looks like she’s over Billy,” Hudson said.
Lauren watched as Sami danced and tossed her hair back and laughed with her dance partner, who seemed fascinated by Sami and also by the cameras that had been filming all night. Lauren hoped that Hudson was right.
They stayed until the Chicken Box closed at one. By then, everyone was exhausted and ready to head home and crash into bed. Lauren saw that everyone was there except for Sami. She finally saw her, walking toward them with the guy she’d been dancing with.
“Zach is going to give me a ride home. He lives right up the street, so he’s heading in the same direction.” Lauren hesitated. She didn’t want to embarrass Sami, but she wasn’t sure it was a good idea for her to get a ride home from a stranger. Hudson walked over to her and the guy smiled.
“Hey man, good to see you.”
“Hey Zach.” He whispered to Lauren. “I know him. He’s a good guy.”
Lauren nodded. “Okay, see you tomorrow then, Sami.”
Sami and Zach turned to go, and once they were out of earshot, she looked at Hudson. “You’re sure about this?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. I don’t know him well, he’s a year younger than me, but we went to school together. He’s very popular with the ladies, actually.”
Lauren laughed. Zach was extremely good-looking. “I’m not surprised. I just wanted to make sure he’s not a serial killer.”
“I think we’re safe there,” Hudson said as they reached Lauren’s car.
“Okay, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Hudson smiled and his eyes were warm as they met hers. “Goodnight, Lauren.”