Chapter Ten
Today has been the longest day. We had to delay filming by nearly an hour because these little squirrels kept darting across the grass during takes.
They were really cute too, I don’t know why they didn’t just leave them in the shot.
Continuity issues, apparently. How is your day going?
Tell me everything that’s been happening in the Wishing Well.
Amelia found that asking direct questions was the best way to get Imogen to reply to her texts quickly.
Whenever she left the conversation open, Imogen could take hours to text again.
Amelia understood. They were navigating a whole new dynamic to their relationship, and honestly, she wasn’t sure how to work it either.
All she knew was she desperately wanted to talk to Imogen all of the time—that hadn’t changed.
So, she took whatever she could get. It wasn’t like Amelia’s feelings had evaporated just because she had been forced into the friend zone.
No, the feelings were still there, alive and well and pining.
But she accepted that being relegated to the friend zone was better than being in no zone whatsoever.
It had now been four days since Friday’s big reveal, yet Amelia felt like the weight that had been lifted off her shoulders had only made its way as far as her chest. She might not have to keep secrets anymore, but it hurt like hell that Imogen had pulled away from her. Amelia totally got it, but it sucked.
“You’re never off that phone,” Bridget said snarkily. She leaned on the wall beside Amelia and took a long sip from her water bottle. “Girlfriend again?”
“I already told you, she’s not my girlfriend,” Amelia replied, unable to keep the glumness out of her voice. It took energy to keep her mask up around Bridget all the time and lately, Amelia didn’t seem to have much of that left. “We’re just friends.”
“You sound miserable when you say that.” Bridget didn’t sound very sympathetic, more like she was stating a fact.
“Because I am.”
Bridget rolled her eyes. “Do you want to go out somewhere tonight? Get drunk and let people take lots of embarrassing photos? It can be great publicity to let your hair down. And maybe you’ll meet a fan up for some fun. Take your mind off your friend. Win-win.”
Now Amelia felt like she was in some kind of parallel universe, because when had Bridget started asking her to socialize?
She could also think of nothing worse than any part of her entire suggestion.
When Amelia finished filming all she wanted to do was hole herself up in her hotel room and cling onto any conversation with Imogen she could get.
“I’m too tired tonight, but thank you for the offer. ”
Bridget gave her a pained face, as much as her Botox allowed. “Suit yourself. Wallow in self-pity. Although, I do have to give it to you, this depression of yours has done wonders for your acting abilities.”
Amelia looked at her in surprise. She should really be offended by the backhanded compliment, but that was high praise coming from Bridget. “Glad you think so.”
“Seriously. That scene where Eve panics and breaks things off with Scarlett was really, very believable. Your Scarlett was flawless.”
Amelia wasn’t surprised that Bridget was referencing that particular scene. Drawing from the pain of recent events, her tears had been all too easy to come by. “Me and Scarlett had more in common than I’d like in that moment.”
Bridget turned and gave her a bored look. “Thank God, I’m not a lesbian. I find men so much easier to work around. Usually, a quick bang does the trick.”
Amelia tried not to look taken aback, but Bridget Clemonte talking to her about banging was not on her 2026 bingo card. “I don’t think that’s going to work for me.”
“Hmm. You never know,” Bridget replied slyly as she turned to walk away. “Happy moping, Amelia,” she called back over her shoulder.
Amelia almost stuck her tongue out at Bridget’s retreating form, but there were about eighteen camerapeople who might see her do it, so she stopped herself.
She really did not know what that woman’s deal was.
It was clear that Bridget enjoyed toying with people, and recently it felt like Amelia in particular.
Did she get a kick out of it? Maybe it was a control thing.
A way to keep herself feeling like she was the alpha-actor on set—a role she was more than welcome to.
Amelia’s phone buzzed and her heart flipped.
Then it sank again because it was only Veronica pushing her for an answer about the action flick, Don’t Cross Her.
An answer that Amelia wasn’t ready to give.
The script looked good, but did she want to commit to another six hectic months of filming?
The travel itself was going to be insane, with locations including the US, Japan, and Morocco.
Plus, the shape that she would need to get into for the part was astounding.
Amelia would have to train about three times a day and be miserable about all the things she couldn’t eat.
Then again, another project to keep her busy did sound appealing too given her latest set of circumstances.
When Amelia’s personal life wasn’t going the way she wanted, she tended to throw herself right into her work—a habit that had done great things for her career.
And she had always wanted to get into action roles. Hmm.
She flipped her phone screen back to her conversation thread with Imogen. Did she really have to wait for a reply before she could text again? Who made those rules up anyway? Could you see me in an action movie? Kicking ass and all that kind of thing? Single-handedly saving the world?
That was another change in their dynamic since Friday.
Amelia made a point of being totally open and transparent about her work now.
There was no more dancing around the topic.
She told Imogen everything that was going on, whether Imogen asked about it or not.
Was she trying to prove herself? Maybe a little.
Yes, Imogen had gracefully forgiven her, but Amelia had messed up and she was still going to do everything she could to put it right.
If that meant putting herself out there, her whole self, then that’s what she would do.
Amelia was already back in her hotel room, showered, and dressed in her fluffy white robe by the time her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Imogen. She immediately stopped everything she was doing and sat on the edge of the king-sized bed and opened the message.
Aww, the poor squirrels were clearly trying to get their big break.
Your director’s mean for not leaving them in.
Lol. I’m sorry it took me so long to reply, but we are a wee bit busy today.
Yes, you heard that right. It’s Tuesday, and the Wishing Well has customers!
Most of whom wanted our fancy food boards—it seems like word has already started to spread.
Hopefully it will get even better by the weekend.
Amelia smiled because she knew how much that meant to Imogen.
She pumped her fist in celebration. Also, you as an action hero. Sure.
Huh. Imogen was a little vague at the end about the action thing. Maybe the cool thing to do would be to wait a few minutes before replying, but in Amelia’s opinion, that was a waste of time. Being cool was overrated.
That is the best news. What did people say about the fancy boards? Are there people there now? I’m sure you’re delighted, Imogen. I’m delighted for you. She added a few smiley faces. And sure? That’s it for me saving the world? Now I’m not convinced…
Amelia could see that Imogen had seen the message straight away, which meant she was sitting with their conversation open waiting on it. It felt like a tiny victory for their relationship. She began to reply right away too, Amelia watched the typing bubble appear almost instantly.
They loved them. They said they feel like they’re in some trendy pub in one of the big seaside towns or the middle of Belfast. Which is flattery from these people. Yeah, there are still five tables in. Five!! Sometimes we don’t have five tables in on a whole Saturday night.
Amelia could feel her enthusiasm radiating through the message.
She wished she could be there to see how pleased Imogen was in person—the way her dark eyes sparkled with happiness.
Amelia went to say so, but three dots began to bounce to indicate Imogen was typing again so she stopped herself. Probably for the best.
Yes, that’s all I’m saying about you kicking ass and saving the world. But take it as a compliment that I daren’t say more.
Amelia read over that part again, and then a couple more times. Was Imogen saying that she approved, approved of Amelia being an action hero? Like she dug the idea? Amelia bit her lip because she was almost sure that’s exactly what Imogen meant. Maybe all hope was not lost after all.
What if I dare you to say more?
Amelia knew that she was pushing the boundaries a touch. But what if Imogen was susceptible to the boundaries being pushed?
Amy…
Or maybe not.
What? You started it. You could have just left me thinking I would make a terrible action hero.
Amelia started to grin, picturing the look Imogen would be giving her if they were together.
That playful glare she did when she was amused by Amelia’s teasing but pretended not to be.
Amelia had to do something—she missed the easy back and forth that they’d had since they met.
Imogen had described it as them “having good natural banter.” Over the last couple of days, their messages had been missing that, the banter. Amelia was determined to get it back.
As if I would ever do that to you!
Amelia smiled. How far would she be able to push this?
Then tell me what you were thinking.