be miserable leaving … because I’m going to be leaving Nana and Kyle but, most of all … you.” He rested his forehead on mine. “That’s why”—he nipped at my lips—“we need to make every second count.” Another nip at my lips. “And the marketing stuff can wait because we’re doing things in order of importance. Food.” Another nip. “And now, it’s time for dessert.”
He lifted me in his arms, and my legs automatically wrapped around his waist. As he took us back to his room, I wondered if we would even get to finalizing the marketing plans tonight.
Probably not.
Chapter 22
Connor
It was the beginning of the longest day of my life. Filming day. We’d prepped and practiced and dressed, and now, filming was a go.
We were at Ellie’s house, one of Wyatt’s friends. All we needed was a suburban home with a nice porch because this was where I would be picking up Charlie on our first date.
I’d changed into a suit, and I had flowers and Colby Chocolates with the new packaging in my hand behind my back.
For the third time tonight, I rang the doorbell to do the scene yet again.
Charlie opened the door in a white skirt and light-blue flowery silk shirt that Susan had helped her pick out. Her hair was no longer down but swept up in a ponytail.
And even though it was the third time we’d done it, each and every time she opened the door, she took my breath away.
Her makeup was light, the pink in her cheeks and on her lips only highlighting her beauty.
“Smile bigger, Charlie. More natural!” Wyatt yelled out.
They wouldn’t hear the outtakes on the commercial, as it would be set to music that evoked emotion.
I stepped into the house and swung the flowers to the front and then the chocolates.
Charlie fake beamed, which had me smiling in response.
“Tip your chin to the side, Charlie. Bigger. Smile!” Wyatt yelled out as two cameras were focused on her face. “He’s picking you up for a date for the first time, and he’s just given you flowers and chocolate. Show that excitement, that nervousness.”
“Tanner, focus on the chocolate, get a closer shot. Yeah. There. Ah, fuck. Charlie, you can’t look directly at the camera. Cut.”
My whole body tensed. “Wyatt, chill out,” I snapped, not liking how he was talking to her.
He raised both hands, strolled toward Charlie, and reached for her arm. “Sorry. I was just really in the moment. You’re doing great, Charlie, really.” He addressed his production crew, “Everyone, let’s take ten.”
After he stepped away, she rubbed at her brow, visibly frustrated.
I pulled the bouquet of flowers in her hand toward me, essentially crushing the dozen between us. Tipping up her chin, I noticed her frown. “Hey …” I whispered. “You’re doing an amazing job. We have one more scene after this, and we should be done for the night.”
“I suck. Remind me to never, ever go into acting.”
I pinched her chin and leaned in. “Stop. You’re doing amazing. Wyatt even said so. I think everyone’s just tired right now.” I placed the chocolate and roses on the side table by the door, wrapped my arms around her, and pulled her into me. “Plus, the most important thing about being on camera is being cute. And you have that down. You’ve mastered the cuteness. More than any other woman I’ve ever met.”
“Nice,” she drawled out.
“Let’s just get this over with. We’ll get the next scene done and go home.”
Home. That last word had fallen out naturally, effortlessly.
I pushed any deep thoughts about it to the side as she groaned and fell into me.
“Charlie, it’s just like how we discussed, how you pictured it. A young male—let’s call him Connor—he’s nervous. He’s picking up this girl and taking her out on their date for the very first time. He wants everything to be perfect because this girl—let’s call her Charlie—he wants to impress her, wine and dine her, treat her like the queen she is.
“So, he’s staring at the house, anxious. He turns off the ignition of his car, wipes his hands on his jeans, and grabs the chocolate and flowers he bought for her.” I pulled back, and she met my smile. “And then … he’s walking toward the front door. His mouth goes dry, and he swears he’s never felt like throwing up before, but he’s this close because he’s so worried about impressing her. All he wants is to see her, take her out.”
Charlie wrinkled her nose,