Page 34 of A Simple Love

And she hung up.

I slid my phone back into my pocket. That was Annie. Direct and to the point. Good job—don’t fuck it up. Checking in but pretending not to care. She cared about very few people. Most of the time, I liked to think I was one of those few.

Other times, I doubted it.

My name was called, and I headed toward my mark. It was time to make magic again.

“Cut!”

I groaned as I slid off Rusty. It had been a long day. On and off the horse, who decided not to cooperate today. Take after take happened until Davis was happy.

My back and my ass were not. I ached from head to foot. I had a headache as well. I was hungry, having missed lunch while we were out filming some of the long riding sequences. The snacks I had took the edge off but didn’t fill me up.

Davis came over. “Long day, but we got what we needed.”

“Good.”

He clapped me on the shoulder. “Go home and get some sleep. You don’t have to be on set until later in the morning.”

“Great.”

I went home, stopping at the grocery store. Ginny was there, the store empty. I headed to the hot counter, disappointed to only see a quarter chicken left. I grabbed it and some salad and took it to pay. She clicked her tongue at me. “Hardly enough for a growing boy.”

I laughed. “I’ll take what I can get, but I am hardly a growing boy anymore.”

She shook her head as I swiped my credit card. I was too tired to pump her for information today or even make much small talk.

At Kassie’s place, I shut off the engine, noticing the back gate open. I slid out, grimacing a little, as she appeared from the back, a small bundle of green in her hand.

“Hey,” I greeted her, reaching to the passenger side to grab my dinner.

She hesitated then came over. “Hello. How goes filming?”

I studied her, her natural prettiness so pleasing to me. Her hair was in a braid, hanging over one shoulder, the light glinting off the unusual color. Her green eyes were soft yet wary as she met my gaze. My eyes dropped to her mouth, recalling the softness of it underneath mine the other night. Noticing my stare, she bit her lip, worrying the plump flesh. Unbidden, I reached over, pulling the skin from her teeth. “Don’t hurt yourself.” I tapped her lips. “I like these just the way they are.”

“Stop it,” she murmured, glaring at me.

“Just speaking the truth.”

“Keep it to yourself.”

I leaned on the car, amused. “You always bit your lip when nervous. Even as a kid. I make you nervous?”

“You make me irritated.”

I chuckled, pushing off the car. “Well, I will go eat dinner and irritate myself.”

She snorted, looking at my takeout containers. “That’s dinner?”

“It’s all that was left at the store. I’m starving, I have a headache, and I need a hot shower. My back is killing me.”

Instantly, her ire melted. “What’s wrong?”

“Too much time on the horse today. Too late for lunch, and no decent snacks.”

She was gnawing on her bottom lip. “I have dinner,” she burst out.

I lifted one eyebrow. “Good for you.”