“Is he as serious as he always seems?”
Hilliard laughed. “Nah, that’s just his typecast. He’s a hoot.”
“If you say so. What parts did you like most?”
“I think my favorite scene is the one with the mayor. I reckon I’ve read it at least three times. Makes me laugh every read. And, of course, I’m looking forward to the final scene, where the parade comes together. That’ll be great to watch.”
“You’re a sentimental softie, aren’t you?”
Hilliard winked at him. “Sure am, sweetheart.”
Something fluttered in Monty’s chest. He was relieved that Hilliard promptly turned away to put the pie in the oven. Hilliard was an attractive guy, always had been. Monty had harbored a crush on the man ever since they’d met. He was pretty sure his friend knew it too, considering the gentle way he always turned him down. He’d taken for granted that their easy way of getting along would carry them through this temporary roommate situation. But for the first time, Monty wondered how he’d handle Hilliard’s natural charm while he was there. For a man who never used magic to seduce people, Hilliard’s smile had a sweetness to it that rivaled the sugar he’d sprinkled over the pie crust. It made Monty weak in the knees every damn time.
He cleared his throat and shifted his weight. “I still think we ought to go do something before we get back to work. Soon we won’t have time for fun.”
“I’ll make us a meatloaf that’ll make you forget you ever wanted to leave the house.”
“You just going to bribe me with food for the next two months?”
“Whatever works. Besides, don’t you want to be at your best for our first day of filming?”
Monty grumbled at the reasoning. “Oh, all right.”
Hilliard didn’t say anything, but his smug smile proved he knew he’d won the battle.
Bright and early on Monday morning, Monty and Hilliard drove back to the studio, with their scripts in Monty’s hands and Henrietta perched on Monty’s lap.
“I’m surprised you bring her in on shooting days,” Monty remarked.
Hilliard chuckled and ruffled the terrier’s fluffy head. “She behaves herself better than most stars do.”
Hilliard found a shady parking spot and they walked to the costuming department. Monty was unsurprised that he’d been given a costume from one of his previous films; it happened often. It fit well enough and was nondescript enough to pass as a new outfit. Seeing Hilliard in something bland was more startling, however.
“It’s weird to see you in shades of brown. You almost look ordinary.”
Hilliard smoothed down the taupe tie. “It’s the cross I must bear.”
The soundstage was filled with the usual flurry of activity that accompanied the first day of filming. Monty loved the buzz of excitement and magic of a first day on set. He stood for a moment at the entrance, taking it all in. Then, Hilliard hooked his arm around Monty’s and walked into the building.
Everyone greeted Hilliard by name, like old friends rather than coworkers. Hilliard responded in kind, handing out terms of endearment and compliments as if everyone he met was cherished. Monty could barely keep people’s names right, let alone remember whose wife had a baby and whose kid was off to college. He wondered how much of it was magic or just Hilliard being Hilliard. Where did his magic end and his personality begin?
Before he could consider that weighty thought, they took a sharp turn around a table filled with coffee and donuts.
He glanced at his friend. “Why do I get the feeling you’re leading me in a particular direction right now?”
“It’s good manners to greet the director first thing.”
“What’s our director like?”
“She’s good.”
“I mean, is she nice? Is she tough?”
Hilliard shrugged. “She’s one of the best directors I’ve worked with. I’d rather you come to your own conclusions about her. But I’d advise against using your magic on her. She won’t like it.”
Monty bit back a groan at the thought of someone else disliking him because of his magic.
Hilliard led him all the way up to the filming crew, where a woman was arguing with a camera operator about the lens they were using. From the sounds of it, she was winning the argument. Hilliard waited until an agreement was reached and the woman turned to give them her full attention. Monty sucked in a breath and tamped down the magic that threatened to rise at the sight of a beautiful person.
