After another hour, Blake called for a break and headed for something Rosie had called craft services. Shay had seen something similar on movies, but she hadn’t expected it for this. The spread of food and all the dietary options were pretty incredible, and her stomach rumbled in response. She checked her watch and was surprised to see it was already nearly one p.m.
“Are we nearly done?” she asked Rosie when she came up beside her.
Rosie smiled. “Do you want to be done? I haven’t even had you on the hood of a car yet.”
Shay tilted her head and grinned. “That might have to be something we do without an audience.”
Rosie gave her a playful shove. “I didn’t mean that, but it’s good to know that’s where your head’s at for a change.” She gestured back to the set. “I booked you until six because I thought it would take all day, and it might even be that Blake still won’t get all the shots they want. They might want to come back for another full day.”
Shay rolled her eyes and blew out a long breath. “Please don’t let that happen. Solo is struggling to slap a smile on her face already.”
Rosie looked over at Solo piling a plate high with sliders and fries. “Things are still rough at home?”
Shay nodded. “We’re all worried she might start to spiral. She’s never been that hot at handling stressful situations?—”
Rosie frowned. “And she was in the Army for how long?”
“Thirteen years. I know what you’re saying, but she didn’t see much action.” She glanced over at Solo and thought about all the conversations she and Gabe had over the years, trying to figure out if Solo was fit for duty and protecting her from as much of thehorrors as they could. But Solo was determined to stick it out, and she was still there when Shay left. “And her go-to numbing agent has always been alcohol.”
Rosie snapped her head back to Shay, her eyes wide. “You’re concerned that she’ll go there even though she’s got the girls now?”
“I hope not. They’re going to the therapist you recommended, but Solo seems to be having trouble getting on board with what she’s being asked to do.”
Rosie didn’t look surprised. “It’s early days. And you have to be open to it. If she really wants to fix her marriage, Rae will be able to help her.” She wrinkled her nose and tipped her head to the side. “But if she’s not prepared to put the work in, with all the will in the world, Rae won’t be able to do a damn thing.” Her gaze shifted to the floor, and she went silent for a moment. “I had my share of clients like that, and it was so frustrating.”
Shay rubbed Rosie’s arm. “And now you’ve got a whole different set of problems with your marketing clients. Like models who won’t smile,” she said and winked.
Rosie smiled, and her expression brightened. “And models who can’t wait for the end of the shoot.”
Shay’s phone vibrated in her pocket, and she looked away from Rosie, a weird blanket of guilt falling over her like a shroud.
Rosie’s brow furrowed. “What’s up?”
Nia, probably. “Nothing. Why?”
“You look like you’ve just stolen some little kid’s lunch money.” Rosie tapped the phone in Shay’s pants. “Got a hot date and don’t want to shove it in my face?” She smiled widely. “I’m still good with our arrangement, Shay. You don’t need to hide anything from me.”
Shay thought she saw the slightest flicker of something across Rosie’s eyes that belied her sentiment, but then she dismissed it. More likely it was her own discomfort with the situation reflecting back at her. She had the urge to tell Rosie about Nia, and why not, since she had no intention of doing anything about the one-way attraction? “My brother’s given his neighbor my cell. He’s trying todo some unwanted matchmaking.”
Rosie’s eyes lit up mischievously. “Why unwanted? Is the woman in question all butchy butch?”
Shay scoffed. “He knows my type; he wouldn’t do that. She’s nice enough, but it’s too close to home.”
“In case you break her heart?” Rosie clamped her lips together like she was trying to keep from bursting into laughter.
“I’m so glad I’m a source of amusement for you. And actually, no. She said casual was her thing too.”Just like it’s supposed to be my thing…which it is.She pulled her phone from her pocket, almost tempted to agree to see Nia out of… Out of what? Spite? That was stupid and unnecessary. If Shay was getting everything she needed from Rosie, and vice versa, maybe they should just be exclusive friends with benefits. That would fix everything, wouldn’t it?
But it wasn’t Nia contacting her, it was Aaron. Her stomach dropped when she read the text, and a chill ran over her skin.
Dad’s had a fall in the yard and banged his head. We’re at Saint Mary’s General Hospital. Come when you can.
She conveyed the text to Rosie and leaned against one of the food tables for support. “I have to go.”
Gabe rushed over and grasped Shay’s shoulder. “What’s going on? You look sick.”
Shay held up her phone for Gabe to read the text.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Rosie asked.
