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11. Cowboy Romance Era

11

Cowboy Romance Er a

Emma

After working on his character for over an hour, it’s time for Auston to put what we rehearsed into practice. Today, they’re shooting the first scene that takes place inside the store, and I’d be lying if I said I’m not excited. This is our space, and it’s going to be on the big screen.

Auston and I, flanked by Robyn and Cillian, follow a production assistant to the set. Auston greets everyone we cross, just like he did yesterday. He knows everyone’s names, and they all see m to genuinely like him. Not that I’m surprised.

Madison is already inside when we arrive, alongside Clarence, who’s sitting in his director’s chair. The prickly actress throws me a dirty look when our eyes meet, but if she thinks she can intimidate me, she’s got another thing coming.

It’s a little cramped inside the bookstore with all the equipment and crew. They actually had to empty half of the shop to make everyone fit. But since they’ll only be filming at a particular angle, none of that will show on the screen. We kept an eye on the crew last week as they were moving everything around, and I’m happy to report that no books were harmed in the making of this movie. They did almost paint over the quote Maxime hand-painted last year above the register, but we caught them just in time. Instead, they covered it with a frame showcasing the New York skyline.

I find a spot where the YA section used to be, trying to make myself small. The makeup artists touch up Madison and Auston, and everyone gets into position.

“And action,” Clarence shouts.

As they begin the scene, Madison really does strike me as a natural Sarah, which surprises me now that I know her real personality. Auston is also doing a much better job at convincing me he’s Diego Loma. With the changes we made to his manner of speech and his posture, he could really fool me. I hope fans of the book appreciate the sacrifices I’ve made for this movie.

“Meow,” Mr. Darcy announces loudly. He just crawled out of his sleeping nook, his green eyes set on me like two marbles. Then, he saunters toward me, passing right next to Madison, smack in the middle of the action.

Crap .

Clarence stands up, red blotches all over his face. “Cut! Whose cat is this? What is it doing here?”

I pick Mr. Darcy up, and as always, he starts purring. Although, it might be a bit louder than usual. We tried to temporarily move him upstairs, but he wouldn’t stay put. He’s never lived anywhere other than the bookstore, and a movie set wasn’t going to change that. Unfortunately, he might not have any other choice now. “I’m sorry.” I wince. “He’s ours. Well, the bookstore’s, technically.”

Auston looks amused from where he stands behind him, and a few crew members seem swayed by the cat, but not Clarence. “Well, get him out of here. This is a work environment.”

“Of course.” I stride toward the front door, whispering into our cat’s furry ear. “Sorry, Mr. Darcy. You can’t stay here; I already told you that. I’l l grab your things later, but for now, you’re going to have to stay upstairs.”

I unlock the front door and carry him up to our apartment. He lets out a disapproving meow when I set him down, but I have no other choice.

Just when I’m thinking of going back downstairs, I realize they’ve probably started shooting again. Which means I would once again be disrupting the shoot if I went back in.

So instead, I grab my phone and bask in my favorite pastime aside from reading—scrolling on Bookstagram. With my friends hanging out with their boyfriends today, I’m on my own, and I should probably get used to it. Soon, they’ll both be married and living their happily ever afters while I stay here, alone. Well, with Darcy. But as we’ve now established, he spends all his time in his sleeping nook.

With a shallow sigh, I scroll through the pretty posts, liking the ones that grab my attention and sharing those that resonate with me. And in the span of just fifteen minutes, I add seven books to my already sky-high Tbr pile. Bookstagram is both a curse and a blessing when it comes to finding books, because when am I going to have time to read them all? I swear, there should be an extra day of the week just for reading.

I land on a post about Velvet Kisses , and just like that, Auston is at the forefront of my mind again. I tap on the search bar and enter his name. Does he even have an Instagram account?

Bingo. Forty million followers. Wow.

I feel like a private detective as I scroll through his profile, where I find a mix of press articles, magazine covers, movie posters, commercials, and promotional head and body shots. Of course, the latter are what interest me the most. Particularly the one where he’s dressed like a cowboy but shirtless. I bring my phone close to my eyes. Are those abs for real? I’ve never read a Cowboy Romance in my life, but maybe it’s time I enter my Cowboy Romance Era. I should also read a Fake Dating one, just to guarantee I don’t make the same mistakes as the heroines and end up falling for the guy.

After all, I’m doing this not only to help Auston, but to get closure for myself. I’ll finally get all those unresolved feelings or whatever out of the way. Sure, we were never really together back then, and we’re not now. But I’ll never put that chapter behind me if I fall in love with him. A chuckle escapes me as the thought crosses my mind. What am I thinking? Me, fall in love? Never going to happen. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that my happily ever after will be spent with a myriad of book boyfriends, because investing time or trust in a real man leads nowhere.

After a while, I venture back downstairs. Surely they’re done with their scene by now.

As I expected, most of the crew is back outside. I glance around, trying to locate Auston. When I don’t spot him anywhere, I walk to his trailer.

Cillian is sitting in a chair nearby, scrolling on his phone. “Hey, Emma. He’s in there,” he says, gesturing to the trailer.

I offer a polite grin. “Thanks.”

“Come in,” Auston calls when I knock on the door. As I step inside, he casts me a bright smile. “There you are. I didn’t want to buzz your apartment, in case you were reading,” he explains, glancing at my shirt that says, “Interrupt a bookish girl while reading, suffer the consequences.”

I chuckle. “Right. Good call. So, how did it go? Mr. Darcy kind of ruined it for me.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Who?”

“My cat.”

“Oh, right. Well, I’m happy to report that Clarence loved the things we added, and the scene flowed well.”

A smile pulls at my lips. “I’ m glad. I only wrote down one thing for the scenes you’re shooting this afternoon, I think. Do you want to look at it now?”

He beams. “Absolutely.”

Sitting down on the couch together, we go over the change, and it’s an easy fix.

“Well, that’s a wrap.” He closes the script. “I guess I’ll let you and Robyn go pick out your dress now.”

“Sure.” I nod. Even if dress shopping isn’t exactly my thing, I do need to look the part. “Oh, does she know about us faking it, or do I keep that under wraps?”

“I think it’s better if we don’t tell anyone,” he says, looking thoughtful.

I wince. “I already told my friends.”

He clears his throat. “Okay. Are you sure they’re not going to say anything? Sell the story to the press?”

I blink back in shock. “What? Of course not. They would never! I trust them completely. Don’t you trust your staff?”

He gives a firm nod. “I do. Robyn’s been with me for the past few years, and she’s great. Cillian would never tell a soul either.”

“Okay. Then, let’s tell them. That way, we don’t have to pretend in front of them.”

After a moment of indecision, he relents. “Okay. Will do.”

I make my way toward the door. “Great. See you tonight.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven, and we’ll take a limo to the event together. It’s in Chelsea.”

At that, my body freezes, and my blood runs cold. “Um, can I just meet you there?”

His brow furrows as he tilts his head to the side. “Well, we have to arrive together to walk the red carpet.”

I swallow hard. “Can I just meet you outside the car or something?”

His eyebrows twitch together as he studies me. “What’s going on, Emma?”

And without a hint of warning, my eyes begin to water. What’s happening? I never cry, and it’s not about to happen today. I look away, forcing my tears back in. The truth is, I don’t do cars, especially not when they’re driven by people I don’t know. Not that I need to anyway, living in a big city.

As it dawns on him, Auston’s cheeks redden. “I’m so sorry. I should have realized.” Closing the space between us, he takes my hand. Sparks seem to burst from our entwined hands, his touch electrifying me. Probably remnants of the anger and resentment I still feel for him.

“What if I drove?” he offers, his voice soothing. “I promise I’m a careful driver. I’ve never had so much as a speeding ticket in my life.”

My heart leaps, warmth seeping into my cold chest. “Really? Is that even possible?”

He squeezes my hand, sending another electric jolt through me. “Of course. It’s absolutely fine.”

I suck in a breath. “Thank you.”

The fact that he would offer to drive to an event like this—in New York, no less—means the world to me. I’m sure he’s more used to being driven around in limos, especially to the red carpet. Yet he offered without thinking twice. I guess he’s still a gentleman after all. Which is definitely going to complicate things.

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