“They were gifts,” Cara said quickly. Which was technically true. Everything Cara owned before a year ago, her father had paid for.
“Don’t explain yourself!” Skye said, with a hand on her hip. “If you work hard and want to buy yourself nice things then that’s your business!”
Cara squirmed inside. She hadn’t bought them, but that independence was what she craved.
“What’s the deal? I don’t have a ton of time,” Skye asked.
“Brian is looking to sell!” Jerrod pressed his palms together and raised them in front of his lips, his eyes alight with glee.
Skye gasped. “How do you know that? Why do you look so happy? We could all be out of a job!”
“Valentina heard him on the phone when she went to argue about her budget being cut again. He has a prospective buyer coming in a couple of days. Originally, they were going to invest, but now he thinks they might buy the studio outright.”
“Great,” Skye said unhappily. “I was counting on that romcom movie. I guess I could reach out to Tina, see if they need anyone over at Magnolia.”
Cara was equally dismayed. She’d finally gotten a steady job, and now it looked like it might disappear before it started.
“Don’t be such a sourpuss. I didn’t say Peachtree wasclosing. If he gets a new buyer, things might get better. Besides, dear sister,” Jerrod said, when she gave him the finger, “maybe you’ll be able to hire a team again. No offense.” His last comment was directed at Cara.
“None taken.”
Skye frowned and looked at her watch. “We better get going—unless you have more unhappy news? I need to pack my bag and get to set in case they need touchups.”
“Nice to meet you,” Cara said with a wave, following Skye as she stalked away.
“It’s easy for Jerrod,” Skye groused, as she pushed the pedal on the golf cart. “My brother makes tons of money and would love for Jerrod to stay home with their baby. He doesn’t know what it’s like for the rest of us.”
Cara wisely kept her mouth shut.
On their way to the trailer, and as they gathered the tools they would need, Skye went over what Cara should keep in a touch-up kit and what they could expect for the rest of the day. Cara typed notes into her phone as Skye outlined what looks they’d be doing for the scene later in the day. She may not have the job for long, but she planned on making the most of the opportunity.
Between the two main scenes being shot, they were dismissed for lunch. Cara accompanied Skye to craft services, joining Jerrod already seated at one of the tables set to the side.
“How long have you been in the business?” Jerrod asked her, plucking a chip from the bag in his hand.
“Not long.” Cara hedged, poking at her salad. “This is my first job on a movie.”
Jerrod turned raised eyebrows to Skye.
“She’s a friend of Wes’s.”
“Am I supposed to know who that is?”
“Wes Evans. He went to high school in Athens with me and Todd. The cybersecurity guy. You met him.” Skye was clearly exasperated by Jerrod’s blank look.
“Cyber—oh, you mean Hacker Hunk!”
Cara snorted with laughter. “That’s pretty accurate.”
Jerrod’s dark eyes glinted. “Are you dating him? Please tell me you’re dating him. I have so many questions!”
“Not dating, just friends.”
“They live together.” Skye and Jerrod exchanged a look.
“Interesting.” Jerrod drew the word out.
“It’s not. I only met him a few weeks ago, I was supposed to live with his friend but—”
