“They all know I want you?”
I shook my head as I turned farther, trying to steady my breath.
He pushed away from the tree. “Is this one of those times you’re not taking me seriously, Ally?”
My heart beat hard as I continued to watch the sound technicians work, but I didn’t answer him.
The grass touched my cheek again.
I struggled to breathe. “Please stop, Spencer.”
“Why?” He moved closer to me. “I think you want to believe I’m not being serious because it’s easier than risking your heart.”
“There you are!” Vicky approached, sweat beading on her forehead as she trudged up the little incline to where we were standing. She hadn’t been needed in this scene and had stayed at the studio.
Spencer put a little distance between us.
“What brings you here?” I asked, thankful for the distraction.
“Mama realized that Papa forgot his reading glasses, and sheasked me to bring them to him.” She looked between me and Spencer, a slight frown on her face.
Neither Spencer nor I spoke as an awkward silence suggested Vicky had caught us doing something wrong.
“I also wanted to ask Spencer something,” Vicky said. “There is a charity event at the Beverly Hills Hotel tonight, and I suddenly have an extra ticket. I am wondering if you would like to go with me.”
Spencer glanced at me. “I was going to take Ally out somewhere special.”
I frowned since he hadn’t mentioned anything to me.
“I didn’t have a chance to tell you,” he explained quickly and then offered Vicky an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh. Of course.” Vicky looked down at her hands, clearly embarrassed by his rejection.
Curious park visitors appeared on the path leading to the bridge where we were shooting the scene. There were several young ladies in cloche caps and men wearing fedoras. Cal noticed and walked over to them, though we were too far away to hear what he was saying.
One of the young ladies pulled out a Brownie camera and turned it toward us. “Spencer Hayes!” she yelled, waving her free hand to get his attention. “Come this way, please.”
Spencer sighed but put a smile on his face. “If I’m getting my picture taken, you two are coming with me.”
Vicky shook her head. “I don’t think she wants me—”
“She wants you, too,” he said with a smile, extending his elbows to each of us.
Cal lifted his hands to try to calm the girl.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“I like being seen with you.” He grinned and then said, almost as an afterthought, “Both of you.”
We walked down the incline and approached the group of young people.
The girl with the camera jumped up and down with excitement. “We heard a movie was being filmed back here, but we had noidea Spencer Hayes and Ally Bennett would be here. May I take your picture?”
“Of course.” Spencer smiled.
“Just you two,” the girl said, waving Vicky aside. “The movie stars.”
Vicky’s lips parted, and embarrassment colored her cheeks as she began to pull away from Spencer.
