want to come for a coffee or something? Because I sure as hell could do with getting away from here for a while.’
***
Michael watched as Dominic stood up, smiling at India as they walked away from the set and he tried to control the growing jealousy, tried to stop all those irrational feelings rising back to the surface, but it was hard.
‘Do you have a problem with those two?’
Michael swung round to see Reece standing there. ‘No. No, I don’t have a problem. Why would I have a problem? There’s nothing going on, is there?’
‘And if there was? Would you have a problem then?’
Reece folded his arms as he studied Michael’s expression, because he knew for certain that whatever Michael told him, and what he was really feeling, they’d be two completely different things. Michael would never admit to him – to India’s father – that he had a problem with anyone seeing his ex-wife. Even though it was blatantly obvious to everyone that he did.
‘No. I still wouldn’t have a problem. But what I do have a problem with is the fact we’re standing around here talking when we should be getting back to work.’
He fixed Reece with a look that told him this conversation was over, and Reece was quite happy to end it. He had all the information he needed anyway. Michael would never be over India. India would probably never really be over Michael. But only one of them seemed willing to try and move on.
***
‘So, things seem to be happening between you and your ex-husband then,’ Dominic said as they sat by one of the catering trucks drinking strong coffee and sharing a plate of fries.
India looked up sharply, narrowing her eyes. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘Come on, India, it’s obvious. The way he looks at you, the way he touches you…’
She looked back down into her coffee. ‘We’ve known each other twenty years, Dominic. We were together for a long time, so we’re bound to be easily intimate with each other.’
‘For six years you never even spoke to him.’
She looked up again, staring right at him. ‘None of that is anyone’s business but ours. And it’s over. All of that, it’s over. There’s nothing going on between Michael and me. Not anymore… although, he wanted there to be…’
‘Really?’ Dominic asked, raising an eyebrow.
India stared at him again, looking right into those incredible, almost aqua-blue eyes of his, trying hard to ignore the somersaults her stomach was turning as she did so. Dominic seemed like a great guy, and nobody could deny he was one hell of a looker, but the last thing she needed was another relationship. She just wasn’t in the mood. ‘Yes, really. But I just don’t want… I don’t want to go back there. Not anymore. And I just wish he’d get the message, because I really don’t want him to get hurt. I never wanted that.’
Dominic sat back, pushing a hand through his dark brown hair, a tiny feeling of guilt shooting through him that he quickly pushed aside. He couldn’t detract from his plan. It was going to happen, no matter what. ‘Look, I’m sorry. That was insensitive and intrusive. I had no right.’
‘No. You didn’t.’ She was still staring at him. ‘What’s happening here, Dominic?’ Because she sure as hell didn’t know.
He leant forward, his eyes locking onto hers. ‘I just want to get to know you. That’s all.’
‘You have one hell of a reputation following you around, you know that, don’t you?’
‘Yeah, I know that. And you shouldn’t believe everything you read.’
‘So, you haven’t dated almost every leading lady you’ve worked alongside then?’
He never took his eyes off her, resting his arms on the table in front of him, clasping his hands together. ‘I’m not gonna lie so, yes, I have. I’ve dated most of them. But that doesn’t make me who I am.’
‘Doesn’t it?’
‘No. It doesn’t.’
She broke the stare first, finishing her coffee before standing up. ‘I’d better get back. They’re probably looking for me.’
‘Mustn’t keep the ex-husband waiting, huh?’
She turned round and looked at him again. ‘He’s our director, Dominic. And while we’re at it, being Michael Walsh’s ex-wife doesn’t make me who I am either. Got that?’
He stood up too, kicking his chair under the table before walking over to her. ‘That dinner we never quite got round to… Tonight. 8 0’clock. The Terrace Grill.’
‘You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?’
He folded his arms and gave her that killer smile once more. He was