Hookup? That phrase sends a fire to my belly. But isn’t that what Skye and I agreed we were doing? My head is swimming. “It wasn’t just a hookup, okay? She’s important to me.”
Natalie looks me in the eye, hurt still written all over her face. “More important than the film?”
The question hangs between us with our cloudy breaths. When I started this film, I had such a commitment to it, to the part, to the success of this odd, heartfelt monster movie. But through the filming, I’ve lost focus. Is Skye more important to me than the film? And the real question is, if she is, what does that mean?
Natalie sighs. “We’re taking the day off. Hopefully this snow melts tomorrow. If not, we’ll have to shoot it with a green screen and add in the background later.”
“A green screen? What about all your practical effects?”
Natalie barks out a humorless laugh. “Won’t it just be hilarious to have a monster all done with real-life materials, and the background is the thing CGed?” She shakes her head. “Some things can’t be helped, though. I can’t keep all these people here, employed, waiting for the weather to shift.”
I nod. I’m relieved to have the day off, but also very aware that she didn’t outright say I’m not fired.
I head right back to my cabin, make myself another cup of coffee, and settle back in with Skye’s manuscript. The light moves across the room, the shadows shifting, as I read and read. Before I know it, I have to turn the lamp back on, my stomach is growling, and Skye’s novel is starting to shake in my hands. I need to eat, but I don’t wantto stop reading. I could bring it with me to the pub. Get a beer, some food, and keep reading.
I shrug on my coat, tucking the manuscript into the inside pocket, and lace up my boots. I think about grabbing my thistle hat, my disguise, but there are so many film people around, there’s no hiding really. The night is clear and cold, my breath coming out in white, cloudy bursts. Stars dot the sky like snowflakes frozen in midair. It’s beautiful. Skye would love it.
The pub is a blast of hot air, both welcome and stifling from the peaceful cold of the night, like walking from the freezer straight into a toaster oven. Scottish folk music plays, and the chatter of the people filling the space is jarring. I’m looking for an open seat when Charlotte stands up from a booth in the corner and waves me over.
She’s sitting with Elsie, who is furiously scribbling on a notepad, but I don’t see Ty anywhere, so I head over. Not like I have much of a choice. There’s literally nowhere else to sit.
“Miles. Sit! Sit!”
Elsie lifts her pint to me but doesn’t look up from her notes.
Charlotte laughs. “You can keep me company. This one is too busyworking.”
Elsie shrugs and goes back to writing.
“I’ll just get a beer. Either of you need anything?”
Elsie raises her hand. “I’ll take another.”
Charlotte smiles. “I’d love another white wine.”
I make my way through the crowded room to the bar, leaning into an open space and order our drinks and a fish dinner. I accidentally bump into the large man on the stool next to me and say, “Sorry.”
“Watch it, laddie.”
I nod and grab our drinks, precariously carrying all three back to the table.
“Thank you,” Charlotte says as she takes the wine.
Elsie downs the rest of her beer and grabs the next one without ever looking at me once.
Charlotte holds up her glass. “To new places and new friends.”
I hold up mine and clink it while Elsie ignores us both to keep writing.
With Elsie working right next to me, I want to pull out Skye’s novel and keep reading, but Charlotte is set on chit-chat. We talk about the snow, the film, and her and Ty’s upcoming wedding.
“We’re getting married in June. I want an outdoor wedding with lots of flowers.”
“That will be nice.”
“It will.” She smiles. “I’d invite you, but honestly, Ty would probably be pissed I’m even talking to you right now after you clocked him yesterday.”
“It was an accident.”
