Nervously, I swallow, unable to take it back. “Sure I would.”
I flick on the radio. Anything to distract the dirty thoughts I’m having about Glory. But the local radio doesn’t help my plight when it bursts outAll I Want For Christmas.
“What about you? What are your goals? Are you happy being a cameraman?”
“It’s a great job, but eventually, I’d love to be a director.” It’s always been my endgame. Filming is my passion, but directing is the next challenge.
As we drive towards the dock, dark clouds roll in the distance, blocking out the sun.
Glory tenses. “Do you think we’ll get thunder and lightning?”
“You still afraid of the storms, huh?”
“You remember?” Her bottom lip trembles. She rolls it between her teeth to hide her anxiety.
“I remember your dad carrying you inside after a tree had cracked the windshield of his car. You were pretty shook up.” I reach over, entwining our fingers, and rub circles on the back of her hand.
As we arrive at the dock, my head dips to look out the window at the clouds now dissipating. “The forecast didn’t predict showers today, sprout. I think we'll get away with it.”
* * *
The sun glistens off the white sands like frost glitters on wintry mornings. I forgot how majestic Candy Cane Key is. Especially this little bay. A hidden gem with freshwater pools formed in the rocks. No matter what time of year, this place is full of Christmas magic. Though, there’s one Christmas wish I can never have.
I look over at the other side of the cove as Glory dresses the set, hanging lights from the gazebo that’s just been erected.
I set up the rig and do some test shots. Josh sits underneath in the shade while Giselle dusts his forehead with a powder puff. The guy looks like a plastic Ken doll, not a sweat bead in sight.
Zooming in, Glory’s ass fills the screen. My mouth waters as if I’ve bitten into a melon. Damn. They just don’t make them like this in LA. It would actually be refreshing to take a girl on a date who doesn’t order a salad and spend half the dinner moving it around her plate.
I pan the camera north to her face. Her top covers her cleavage and I’m a little disappointed. But her smile is infectious; one of those smiles you just have to smile along with. Her dimpled cheeks push up, creating rosy apples on her face, and I can’t help but wonder if she has the same dimples above her ass.
After Giselle has prettied Josh up, they carry on blocking the scene. I take some stills during the run through, but get distracted again, taking shots of Glory. I’m lost in the magic of her eyes as they glisten from the twinkly lights.
Even our lead actress Ivy Winters, as beautiful as she is, doesn’t get my camera rolling the way Glory does. But just like the lead actresses I work with, I have to keep things professional. The director’s voice rings loud and clear in my head. Look, don’t touch.
The voice turns to that of Gray’s, telling me to keep my dirty hands off his sister.
I zoom in again. Just one more shot of her beautiful face. She’s near the water, with the sun shining down on her, stealing all the limelight on this packed set.
Something catches my eye in the water behind her. A sweat breaks out on my skin as I zoom in a little more.
GLORY
Iwipe the beads of moisture from my forehead. I’m not used to working outside in this heat, especially in July. Noel said the heat in LA is less muggy, which can only be good for my hair. This ball of frizz needs a lot of taming.
Since Noel offered to help me move this morning, my stomach hasn’t stopped bubbling. Of course, I’ll miss my family and Candy Cane Key and the year-round Christmas festivities, but maybe I can bring some festive cheer to California. It is the golden state, after all, and I have plenty of sunshine.
Noel’s been behind his camera since we got here, busy at work. The cove is now full of extras, mainly elves. It’s a funny sight and makes me giggle. I continue to help dress the set near the shoreline. The gentle waves lapping at my flip-flops and the breeze blowing my curls cools me down.
My racing heart from this morning’s ride with Noel is finally calm. After working with him recently, I’m no longer clumsy in his presence. The more time I spend with him, the more comfortable I feel. I’ve known this man my whole life. There’s no need to be weird around him.
He doesn’t know I would get myself off picturing his face, pretending his hand was playing with me instead of my brother’s PlayStation controller. A smile lifts my cheeks, remembering how fast his finger was on that trigger. He would always win at Mario Kart.
Most guys my age can’t even find my trigger button. I let out a dreamy sigh, knowing a man like Noel, ten years older with all his experience, won’t have any problem getting me to the finish line.
A screech snaps me from my musings. “Gator,” one elf shouts as she jingles across the beach.
I spin around to see the water swishing in front of me. The shoreline zooms out, but the gator zooms in like a dolly zoom effect. I’m frozen in place. My heart thuds faster as the alligator swishes closer and rears its ugly head out of the shallow water.
