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“You’d recognize the theme from it. That melody has been used in so much. Anyway, it’s a favorite of mine. Dorothy McGuire and Sandra Dee. And they were both right here!”

Damon stood there a moment, enjoying the feeling of her hands wrapped around his. Finally, he pulled back but bent his right arm at the elbow and held it out. “Why wait? Allow me to escort you in.”

With that, the happy not-really-a-couple headed toward the door of the famed Stage 7.

But Damon wasn’t thinking about movies or any of the stars who’d gone through that very door before him.

And at that moment, he suspected Tessa wasn’t, either.

Chapter Twenty-One

“Oh my goodness! I’ve always wanted to see a gaffer in action,” Tessa whispered.

Next to her, Damon patted her arm. “You don’t have to whisper. They aren’t rolling right now.”

Tessa grinned but didn’t take her eyes off the hardworking production crew before her as she said, “Oh, yeah. I guess I’ll get used to all this and will pick up on the etiquette and all that.”

That thought had warmth engulfing her entire body. She was going to work at a real studio! She was in the movie industry!

“So, why are you excited to see gaffers?” Damon probed.

She turned her focus to him, giving him a look that said, “What? You’re not?” A moment later, she told him, “Because they’re masters of their craft! They coordinate with the cinematographer to make sure the lighting is just right. Have you ever seen a movie that is shot perfectly?”

“Yeah. I guess so,” Damon said.

“Now, have you ever seen a movie that wasn’t?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“See? You didn’t even notice the ones that are shot well because they simply look like they’re supposed to. But the ones that didn’t look quite right still stand out. That’s why gaffers are so important! Maybe one of the most vital roles on a crew, actually. And they never get credit.”

She loved the way Damon was looking at her, and she had to fight the urge to blush.

“Once again, I’m in awe,” he said.

“Well, thank you. But you should be in awe of gaffers. They make you look really good in all your movies.”

He laughed. “Hey! You’re saying I wouldn’t look good without them?”

Tessa returned his laugh. “Nope. You’re hot. You always look good. But they help you look just right in the scene with all that heavy makeup and stuff you’re wearing.”

“This truly is your calling,” Damon said, the affection obvious in his eyes.

I think I have another calling, as your babygirl.

Tessa silently chided herself for even thinking that. Perhaps it was time to go back to Athena’s. This day out with Damon was only complicating things.

Yet as much as she knew it would suck when they dropped their little act and he was back with Lissa, she just couldn’t bring herself to halt the proceedings.

She was in this, for better or worse.

“Damon? What are you doing here?”

Pulled from her thoughts, Tessa looked to see Grant Baker approaching.

Wowzers! He was just as handsome and huge in person as he was on the big screen!

Damon pumped his hand. “Hey, Grant. Good to see you. I’d like you to meet Tessa. I’m showing her around the studio today.”