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15. Books vs. Movies

15

Books vs. Movies

Emma

All night long, I dreamed about Auston. Surely, this is perfectly normal in a fake-dating scenario. Actually, I’m positive it is—I’ve read about that plenty of times in romance novels. Except in my case, I won’t actually fall for the guy. I know better.

Too late, honey, an annoying voice says in my head. You’re already falling again for him.

No, I’m not! I am a professional, both as a movie consultant and a fake girlfriend.

If that’s wh at you want to tell yourself.

“It’s the truth!” I yell, my own voice amplified like a loudspeaker. I glance around the empty street, feeling the flush rising to my cheeks. Gripping the script harder in my clammy hands, I keep walking toward the end of the street.

I am in control, and I know myself better than this stupid voice does.

Taking a deep breath, I knock on Auston’s trailer door. He opens it right away.

“Hey! Right on time,” he says with a smile, inviting me in. His hair is slightly ruffled, like he just got out of bed. It somehow makes him even more attractive. Why does he have to look so sexy all the time? It’s totally unfair.

Inside, Cillian is sitting on the couch, finishing a cup of coffee. “Hey, Emma,” he says. “It’s good stuff. You’ll like it.”

I shoot a questioning look at Auston, who just smiles brightly. I avert my gaze, my cheeks warm. It’s way too early to melt into the floor. I’ve only had one coffee so far.

“Talk to you later,” Cillian says as he gets up, walking past me and exiting the trailer. That’s when I notice it. The brand-new coffee machine that takes up most of the counter space.

“What’s this?”

“I know how much you hated my c offee,” he says matter-of-factly. “So, I got a new machine. Marissa said it was good. Even sold me some beans.”

“You got a new coffee machine just for me?” I can’t tear my eyes away from the shiny contraption.

“I love coffee too, you know. And that way, we won’t lose time with your many, many coffee runs.”

I place a hand on my hip. “Are you saying I’m slowing us down?”

“Oh, you definitely are,” he teases, handing me a cup of coffee. “Your addiction is way out of hand. I told you that before.”

My head falls back as a laugh bubbles out of me. “Right. Well, let’s not lose a second then. Shall we?”

As we sip our coffee, we work on his character for today’s scenes, and I don’t have much to say. Shocking, I know. But Auston is nailing Diego Loma’s personality, and it’s getting harder and harder to watch him perform. Especially now that I’m helping him rehearse the first kissing scene.

“Let’s just do these lines together,” he says. “It’ll make me feel better if you see it first.”

“Um, okay. But we don't have to rehearse the actual kiss, right?”

He frowns, a smile teasing his li ps. “No, absolutely not. Just my lines leading up to it.”

Oh, you mean when you confess your love for Sarah, telling her how you’re hopeless without her before you kiss her? That should be so much easier. Yet, I agree. It is my job, after all. Plus, since I’m definitely not falling for him, it’s totally fine.

He clears his throat, and his eyes begin to smolder. “The second you walked into my life, everything shifted.” His fingers trail from my hand to my neck, leaving a shiver in their wake. It’s probably just because of how low Auston likes to set the AC. Then, he caresses my neck and my cheeks, and I can’t hear a word he’s saying anymore. I’m mesmerized by his touch. All my senses are heightened—the light above us is suddenly blinding, Auston’s fresh cologne permeates the entire room, and it’s as if he’s touching every single vein in my body. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Sarah,” he whispers as his forehead bumps with mine. “I’m begging you. Release me from my misery.”

We lock eyes for what seems an eternity, bringing me back to many years ago, when we’d stare into each other's eyes during our study sessions. So many times, I thought, is he going to kiss me? Should I be brave and do it?

My lips part, and I know I have to say something, anythi ng to break out of this, because this is not working for me. But my mouth has gone dry, and my brain refuses to produce a single sentence.

“How was that?” he finally asks, his voice low and gravelly. “Did I nail it?”

I swallow hard, coming back to my senses. “You did good,” I mumble, pulling my gaze away. I really need to get out of this funk. This has nothing to do with Auston and everything to do with Diego Loma. He’s always been one of my top book boyfriends, after all, so it’s normal to harbor weird feelings—whatever they are—when I see him come to life. It’d be the same if he was played by any other actor.

Auston arches an eyebrow. “Good?”

“Okay, you were great. You’re really starting to get his character.”

“All thanks to you,” he says, putting the script down. “None of this would have been possible without your help.”

“You could have just read the book,” I shoot back, shaking my head.

His eyes sparkle. “I like it better this way. You’ve always been a great teacher.”

And just lik e that, we’re back to staring into each other’s eyes. Well, not if I have anything to say about it. I quickly avert my gaze. “I’m curious, why don’t you want to read the book? It’s a masterpiece.”

“I honestly didn’t have the time, but Robyn lent it to me. I might give it a try.”

My eyes widen. “You should! You’d bring even more depth to Diego’s character. Books are so much better than movies.”

He shakes his head. “No way am I getting behind that statement. How can you beat a full-fledged production, with sound, lights, effects? It’s impossible.”

“But those things still exist when you read a book. It’s called imagination . Some people, like me, are very vivid readers. When I read a book, I see the story play out like a movie.”

He clasps his hands. “There you go. Movie trumps book.”

Laughing, I say, “No. Because it’s my movie—my cast, my production. Exactly how I want it. When you watch a movie, you’re seeing someone else’s vision unfold. It’s fine when it’s not a book adaptation, or if it’s a book I haven’t read. But when it is, the movie kind of shatters the perfect setup I’d already built in my head.”

He strokes his chin. “Hm. That ’s an interesting take. Although I think I’m still a movie man, I do understand your point. But tell me, am I ruining your version of Diego? Who did you cast?”

“No one in particular. Just this hot, dark alpha male who’s tortured between wanting to be alone for the rest of his life and finding everything he needs in Sarah,” I blurt in one breath so it’s out of the way. Hopefully, I stuffed enough in there that he didn’t notice the “hot” part.

A large grin spreads on his face. “Hot, huh? So, am I ruining the fantasy?”

I give him a pointed look. “Are you really fishing for compliments when we’re surrounded by your ‘sexiest man alive’ distinctions?”

He wets his lips, his gaze etched on me. “That’s just the general opinion. I’m more interested in yours.”

My heart hammers in my chest as he stares at me, waiting. Then, someone knocks on the door, and I suck in a breath. Whoever they are, I’m forever grateful. I need some air. It’s way too hot in here.

Standing up, Auston saunters over to the door and opens it.

“Honey, I wanted to go over the Kleo contract before I fly back to LA,” Auston’s mom says, gliding into the trailer, a pile of documents in her hands. It takes a second for my eyes to adjust to her caution -tape-yellow jumpsuit. As I’m taking the sight in, her eyes fall on me. “Oh, you have company.”

“Hi.” I hop to my feet, not sure what to do with myself. “I’m Emma. Nice to meet you.”

She removes her oversized cat-eye glasses and sweeps her gaze over me. “Emma, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” she exclaims. “I’m Marlene.”

It’s not the first time I’ve seen Auston’s mom. I remember glimpsing her from afar, back in Kinston, and she hasn’t changed one bit. Same long curly hair, only shinier, and brown eyes that remind me of Auston’s.

“I think I’ll get going,” I say, tugging on the hem of my shirt.

“Oh no, dear,” she says with a beaming smile. “Don’t leave on my account. This is the first time my son has ever brought a girl home.” She winks, then looks around. “Well, in a manner of speaking. Anyway, I’m dying to get to know you better. I’ve been so busy these past couple days, I was barely on set.”

“Emma is busy too, Mom,” Auston cuts in, saving me. “But you’ll have plenty of time to get to know her later.”

“Yes.” I nod. “Absolutely.”

She gives me another warm smile, then takes a seat on the couch. “I’m looking forward to it.”

I wave awkwardly. “Bye. ”

As soon as the trailer door closes behind me, I release a long breath. Meeting Auston’s mom was weird, but my mind is stuck on what happened just before. What was that about, him asking me if I found him attractive? Why does he care? As if it was even a question. What woman on this planet wouldn’t find that man as hot as the sun? With his glossy dark hair, magnetic gaze, natural charm, and the body of a Greek god. And that smile—that smile can knock me off my feet like a gale-force wind.

I tug on the collar of my T-shirt, sweat beading on my skin. I hate summer. Why can’t it be freezing cold outside? That would make my life a lot easier when I’m around Auston. The guy is like a walking furnace. Who was I kidding, pretending it would be fine to fake date him?

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