in on episode seven. That leaves sixteen more episodes to develop the love triangle.”
“I’m not sure that’s enough—”
“Sure it is. If we start building it too soon, viewers will complain. They’ll say it’s dragging. This way, if you introduce him midway through the fall season, you can leave them hanging right before hiatus.”
Elle took a moment to process Rob’s idea—she had to give Rob credit, he was a problem-solver, and a hell of a brainstormer. Despite his Hollywood attitude, he had bailed her out of several situations already during her short career. He was a seasoned television director who’d worked on two other television dramas before Follow the Sun and his track record was stellar.
“Okay—but we need to establish some sort of cracks in Desmond and Molly’s relationship. They’re on-again in the season opener . . . we have to make it believable.”
“Of course, make additions, changes, whatever. Just don’t rewrite. Luke will join the cast in episode seven.” Elle appreciated Rob’s no-nonsense discussion. It was a breath of fresh air compared to the wise sage she’d dealt with the day before.
“Got it, chief,” she joked. Rob’s face contorted in confusion and Elle worried she’d made him self-conscious about his approach. “Seriously, though, thank you. You’re going to save me a lot of time.”
“Reinventing the wheel never benefitted anyone. We’ll make this work, and I have a feeling it’ll be just what the show needs.”
Elle nodded. “I hope you’re right.”
Closing the door behind her, Elle said hello to Rob’s secretary and continued toward the open hallway lined with framed posters of the cast. She had a few hours to work on developing episode seven before the read-through that afternoon with Gina and Luke. She could only hope to make some progress so both she and Rob could relax. She hadn’t yet spoken to Nolan since the news broke. Whitney had urged her to let some time pass first. This show was so important to her, it was impossible to separate business from personal. His decision to leave the show bruised not only her fragile ego, but it placed a very large damper on her confidence in future seasons. Was Gina next? Would Follow the Sun become a rotating cast? It was difficult to predict if his departure would have a ripple effect, or if the pebble would just land in the pond, sinking quietly to the bottom.
When she rounded the corner to the hallway leading to her office, she was greeted by an unexpected face. An unexpected handsome face with a relaxed smile, and bright, friendly, sexy eyes.
Luke.
“Hey.” Luke ran his fingers through his hair and Elle wondered what it would be like to do that. To stroke his wavy locks while lying in bed together, completely naked after an intense lovemaking session.
“Uh, hey, I mean, hi. Hi.” Elle stumbled over her words and was instantly mortified. She had to get herself in check or he would suspect she was developing a crush. She was his boss; she had to act like it.
Luke ran his tongue slowly across his bottom lip as he inspected her face, and she felt naked, exposed, as if he could read her thoughts. As if he could see them splayed on her bed, covers and sheets falling toward the cool floor. Both naked. Both flushed and sated from their activities in the bedroom. The bedroom in her brain.
As much as she wanted to deny it, this man did things to her. When she was around him, every cell of her body awoke from a deep sleep. And she liked that feeling; she missed it. In fact, every time she was near Luke, she craved that feeling of being startled awake—of adrenaline coursing through every nerve of her body.
Luke placed one lazy hand on his hip, just below the worn leather belt that fit snugly around his waist. “I know I’m a little early. Thought you might let me take you to lunch.”
Elle glanced at her watch. It was barely nine a.m. When her eyes reconnected with his, she noticed his tan cheeks turn the slightest shade of red. He shrugged and chuckled as he corrected himself. “Or breakfast.”
“I’d love that, really I would, but . . .” She looked around for someone or something to guide her stammering thoughts. “I have so much to do. I have to add you, I mean, David, into the script for episode seven, and I have some backstory to create. I’m just swamped at the moment. You understand, right?”