TAMING HOLLYWOOD'S BADDEST BO- Max Monroe Page 0,85

out of the crowd. Stupid eyes. It’s like they have a mind of their own.

Ugh.

He sits in between two of his costars—Lucy Larson and Frank Howard.

Lucy will play Katarina, Finn Slate’s love interest.

And Frank will play Mac McCoy, his best friend who will eventually turn into his nemesis halfway through the movie.

While the three of them chat quietly between one another, I stand there, in the background, wishing Luca were a repulsive sight.

But to my dismay, one month isn’t enough time for someone to morph from devastatingly handsome to disgusting.

That rat bastard is still as striking as ever. His beard is shorter. His eyes are still as blue as the flipping sea. And his strong jaw could still give statues a run for their money.

Stupid, good-looking jerk.

I roll my eyes at myself and distract my brain with the menial task of counting how many cups of coffee I’ve consumed since I woke up this morning. I downright refuse to think about anything related to Luca fucking Weaver. Not the time we spent together. Not what it felt like to be in his arms and in his bed. And certainly not the way he made me feel.

Bottom line, that man is a certified asshole, and outside of my job responsibilities, I will not have anything to do with him

While the cast rolls through the script, I meet the caterers at the back-door entrance and help them set up the craft services table.

Sandwiches, coffee, soda, water, and just about every kind of fruit and dessert you can think of are placed in a delicious display. And since it’s nearing noon and I’ve been up since five this morning, I don’t hesitate to sneak a banana and my fourth cup of coffee of the day.

A girl’s gotta eat and get her caffeine fix and all that.

Just as I’m about to shove a bite of banana into my mouth, the cast and crew take a lunch break and start to file into the room, heading straight for the food. Aware of my surroundings and just exactly who is in said surroundings, I discreetly step back into the far corner and hide behind some camera equipment.

Is this the coward’s way out? Most certainly.

But do I care? Not in the least.

I’m going to do what I have to do to keep my freaking distance.

One bite, two bites, three bites into my banana and I’m already feeling better.

But when the soft patter of paws fills my ears, I look down to see I’ve been found out.

Bailey—my Alaskan wilderness hiking buddy.

My heart practically explodes with joy when I see his sweet face.

He sits right beside my feet, his tail wagging back and forth across the ground, and a smile consumes my face.

“Aw, hey there, bubby,” I say and reach down with my free hand to scratch behind his ears. “How have you been? I’ve missed you.”

Tail still wagging, he stands on all fours and rubs the side of his body against my legs.

“You’re such a sweet boy, aren’t you?” I croon. “Just the sweetest baby boy. Would you like the rest of my banana?”

Bailey sits down immediately, mouth parted, eyes locked on my food.

I giggle. Obviously, his priorities haven’t changed.

“I guess that’s a yes, huh?” I grin down at him and hold out one hand. “Give me a paw first.”

He does. No hesitation. Where food is concerned, Bailey Bear is all business.

“That’s a good boy.” I hold out the rest of my banana in my hand. He takes it gently and stretches himself out on the ground to enjoy his treat.

“He’s always a good boy when it comes to snacks.” The deep, husky voice is painfully familiar, and it takes a Herculean effort to make myself meet his steady, blue gaze.

Oh, for the love of everything, I should’ve known I wouldn’t be able to leave here today without coming face-to-face with him.

My smiling face quickly changes, my lips turning down at the corners and my eyes narrowing.

But Luca doesn’t hesitate to close the distance between us. “How have you been, princess?”

My chest tightens, and my heart skips a fucking beat.

Princess. God, I hate that nickname. I also hate that it still has the power to affect me.

“Good,” I say, mouth set in a firm line.

“You don’t want to ask me how I’m doing?” he asks, and the hint of a smug smirk taps across his mouth.

“Nope.”

“I see you’re still walking around with all that sass, huh?” A stupid chuckle leaves his dumb, perfect lips, but when I don’t