Page 74 of Love On and Off Set

My eyes widened.

“Not that he had carnal knowledge of you guys.” Oh Jesus, stop talking. “Although maybe he does. I mean, I haven’t seen him in seven years, and maybe he’s changed. I know I’ve changed. I’m like, clearly unable to stop talking—”

A clap on my back had me startling into silence. I whipped around.

Rocco held up his hands. “All good. Sorry, I should’ve warned you. When Troy goes off, a nice reminder that we’re amongst friends helps. Sorry to out you, sweetheart.”

Troy smiled with, I’d have sworn to God, hearts in his eyes. “I’ve gotten better. You’re a calming influence.”

A snort came from Marco as he caught my gaze. “Lovebirds. Hopefully you can take all the happiness.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Great.” He snagged the bottle of wine.

I shoved the cloth bag at Rocco because that felt like the most logical thing to do.

He smiled. “You’re amongst friends. Now, how about Freddie helps me with the barbecue and you can relax in here?” He pointed to a barstool at the kitchen island.

I plopped.

Marco sat beside me, pulled up a chopping board, a knife, and a yellow pepper. “So, tell me about this acting thing. I’m doing my PhD in environmental science and was up in the Yukon last year.”

My ears perked. “Oh, wow. We’re moving filming up there for a week because it’s like Alaska.”

“Yeah? I can tell you a few stories.”

I let out a breath. “I’d love that.”

“Only if you tell me about Norah O’Shay.” He winked.

I smiled.

Chapter Eight

Freddie

“He seems like a nice young man.” Rocco flipped the smallest steak. “I’m cooking up a veggie burger as well as the steaks and some chicken. I forgot to ask what your friend likes.”

“Uh…last I heard, he ate meat. His family farms corn.”

“Hopefully the peaches’n’cream corn on the cob we picked up will be good enough.” He grinned. “I’ve never met a corn farmer.”

“Rocco?”

His grin slipped. “What’s up? You look like I kicked your puppy.”

“Ouch. Horrible imagery.”

“Because that’s how you look.”

“I just…I didn’t ever think I’d see him again. And moving to this security gig had been a whim. Just wanting something different.”

“And you’re wondering if this is some hand of God thing.”

“Well, I’m an atheist. So more weird coincidence or the universe conspiring against me.”

He flipped the chicken. “So you’re not happy?”