“I like you so much, Kallum. Too much, even. You’re funny and warmhearted, and you’ve made me feel things I didn’t know I could feel. In, ah, more ways than one. But we don’t fit.” Sheshook her head before I could interrupt. “You know it’s true. You’re easygoing and fun and have a great life full of bridesmaids and pizza, and I’m someone who has to have emergency lessons in sex—and we just don’t make sense. So thank you for your apology. Truly. I feel ridiculous about how hurt I was, but your apology means so much to me, and just knowing that we’re on okay terms will make our reshoots so much easier.”
“Reshoots?” Of all the earth-shattering things she’d just said, the one thing I heard wasreshoots.
She pulled her hands back into her lap and my empty palms felt cavernous without her. “Yeah, we’re headed back to Christmas Notch next week? Didn’t Steph call or email you?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m the best at checking my emails.”
She grinned slightly. “Well, surprise?”
Addison walked out of the juice bar with two cups in her hands and her upper lip snarled in my direction.
Winnie stood. “I better go, but I’ll see you back in Christmas Notch.” She bit her lip, which had a predictable effect on my nether regions, and then added, hesitantly, “We should talk while we’re there. About some things.”
But before Winnie could say more, Addison handed Winnie her drink and then slung an arm over her shoulder before barking at me once more.
I watched her with confusion, knowing that if this were any other day, I would think she was hilarious.
“See you in Christmas Notch!” I called to Winnie.
She glanced over her shoulder and gave me a small smile.
I turned and walked back to my car where there was a ticket waiting on my windshield. Fine, I deserved that.
Shoving the ticket in my pocket, I walked around to the driver’s side door when I noticed a huge yellow boot on my front wheel. What the—
I spun around looking for the parking attendant. She was a few cars ahead, pacing in front of a Range Rover.
“Ma’am!” I called.
She held up her hand to stop me before I even got started, but I had to get to the studio and surely LA County didn’t pop a boot on your car for one simple ticket.
“Ma’am, I’m so sorry, but I think there’s been a mistake.”
She shook her head. “No mistake. You’ve got nine outstanding tickets.”
“Nine! Nine? This is a rental car. I’ve had it for two days.”
She turned to move on to the next car. “Sounds like a problem for the rental company.”
I opened my mouth to argue some more, but I knew it wouldn’t get me anywhere.
Pulling my cell phone out of my pocket, I called an Uber. Just as Dylan confirmed he was on his way, I got a text from Justin, theShark TankPA.
Justin??:We’re wrapped for the day and not back for another month. I called you four times.
I checked the time. I was supposed to be there an hour ago.
Another text came through.
Steph:How was Shark Tank? And did you see my email about reshoots?
I leaned back against the hood of my rental.
I screwed up today. I missed the shoot. I told Winnie I loved her in the worst possible way.
Everything should have felt hopeless. But all I could see was Winnie turning back to look at me and her delicious lips curling into a faint smile.
We were going back to Christmas Notch. A place full of movie magic and Winnie-Kallum history.
