The look in Toni’s eye was not just the usual fondness or desire; she was studying Addie. “Are you well? Safe?”
From behind them, Addie heard, “Cut.”
“What?” Addie turned back and scowled.
“Improv, but it’ll work. We can use that as a brief scene, a setup,” Marcela said. “Excellent chemistry, Toni and Addie. Hopefully, the viewers don’t beg me to give you a role.”
“I can guarantee you thatthatwon’t happen,” Toni muttered. She wrapped an arm around Addie’s waist as she said, in barely a whisper, “Do you want me to try to have that deleted? I didn’t know they were doing that. I was told I just had to sit in a room and stare at you adoringly.”
Addie put a hand to her mouth, as if she could hide the laugh that wanted to bubble up. “I am perfectly fine with that improv sceneandstill want that other scene, if you’re willing.…”
“Fine, but I need sleep after,” Toni said. “I have plans tonight.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Toni shot her a quelling look, and this time Addie did start laughing.
After a moment, she took Toni’s hand and dragged her over toMarcela. “You need to let her see that scene before you use it.” She shook a finger at her. “You’re tricky.”
“And you two were splendid.” Marcela gave them a long look. “Fake marriage, my ass. My eyes still work, you know.”
“We’re dating,” Toni said simply. “That part is true. I’ve said that, and Adelaine has done interviews. The wedding was… part of a historical weekend. Youknowthat. The wedding itself was not real. There was no marriage license.”
“Are you willing to do an interview together?” Marcela asked. “That footage, the interview…” She drifted off, obviously plotting. “The sound bites would be amazing.”
“Fine. One interview with both of us. You can come chaperone if you want,” Toni added.
“I’ll set it up.” Marcela smiled gleefully.
Addie stayed there silently, contentedly holding Toni’s hand in hers even as she knew that Philip was nearby glaring at them.At me.She could feel his gaze on them without looking, and she knew that last night’s rage was still simmering there.
Toni’s next words drew her attention, even though her voice was too low to be overheard. “And the matter I emailed about?”
This wasn’t the tender side of Toni that Addie had grown accustomed to hearing, or even the professorial one she’d watched online and in person. This was something more forceful.
“I’ll need about three weeks,” Marcela said evasively, speaking as quietly as Toni had been. “I spoke to Ms. Haide and to the studio. I share your opinion, Toni, but you know there will be repercussions.”
Toni nodded once. Her voice was still pitched low as she said, “Good. I will expect security in those three weeks, and the interview before that because I will not be able to be polite if asked directly. I can be cooperative, but only if Adelaine’s safety is prioritized.”
“Toni…?” Addie had a sinking feeling that she knew exactly what the topic was they were discussing.Philip.It had to be about him. “I’m okay.”
Toni squeezed her hand. “We’ll talk about it tonight, love.” Then in a louder voice, Toni said, “Shall we get this cameo filmed so I can head to the hotel? I’m not a morning person, and today’s flight was earlier than I like.”
Filming the cameo was harder than Addie expected. She wanted to go to dinner, lunch, drinks, walks, anywhere withonly Toni.She didn’t want cameras on them.
Honestly, it wasn’t even that she wanted Toni naked in bed. Addie wanted to explore the city with her. They weren’t filming the next day—weekends were free—so she had already been looking forward to exploring the city. Today’s work hours seemed to have been dragging already, and now she was in a shop—supposedly in the 1800s, thanks to creative work by the team—talking to the woman who was to be a witness… and the woman’s companion.
Adding Toni to the scene was a minor script modification, but Addie was struggling to keep her eyes off Toni. They were to be former lovers in the new scene, so Addie was “allowed” to shoot her a heated look.
Between takes, Marcela politely said, “Think of your character, Addie. You are a bit lacking in subtlety. More pining, less ‘I want to ravish you.’”
“My character has been without affection for months. I think a bit of lust is appropriate,” Addie argued.
“Less of it, unless Toni is planning to take up a role on the show.” Marcela crossed her arms and looked at them.
“Addie? I could use a nap. Can we get this done?” Toni said in a low voice. “As the queen supposedly once said, ‘Lie still and think of England.’”
Addie giggled, recalling a video of Toni talking about that tidbit as Queen Victoria’s answer on how to endure sex. It was notactuallywhat the queen said, but it had become a fun catchphrase, and Toni had used it in her book, too.
