This time, no one called action. She gestured and film began rolling. The scene started and Mac became Thorne Mayfield. They shot the entire six-page scene without stopping. When Sydney called a halt and said to print it, Mac knew he’d nailed it.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Sydney said encouragingly. “Keep it up. Okay, let’s set up the next scene.”
Mac located the crew gossipers and saw the first one reach in his pocket and then hand the wad of bills back to the second. He bit back a smile.
They got two more scenes in the can before Sydney ordered the lunch break.
Keely came and stood next to him. “You’re doing it, Mac. Exactly like I knew you could.” She paused. “I usually eat lunch with Sydney and Cassie in my trailer.”
“Don’t worry. I have a friend I want to catch up with. See you soon.”
He watched her leave, the subtle sway of her hips doing all kinds of crazy things to him, and then he found Dave.
“Hey, want to eat together and catch up?” Mac asked.
“Sure. You’re terrific, Mac. I had no idea you could act.”
He grinned. “Neither did I.”
They joined a line at the craft services table and he realized they were behind the two betting crew members. The men tried to get him to cut in front of them but Mac refused.
“We’re all in this together, guys. Your role is as important as mine in making this movie a success.”
The first man who’d bet against him said, “You really surprised a lot of us, Mr. Randall.”
“Mac.”
“Okay, Mac. Looking forward to the rest of the shoot.” He turned back to his friend.
In that moment, Mac realized it hadn’t been anything personal. He himself had participated in the same kind of conversation dozens of times, talking with a fellow officer on his team about the new, green soldier who would be joining them. If the newbie was up to snuff. If he would have everyone’s six. If he would compromise their mission or make it a success. This pair was no different.
Mac relaxed, more comfortable than he’d been since he’d overheard their remarks.
He had fun catching up with Dave and then really enjoyed the two scenes they shot in the afternoon, changing his tie and coat each time to reflect different days in the story. It surprised him when Sydney called an end to shooting for the day.
As he fell into step with Keely and headed back to their trailers, he asked, “Isn’t this a little early to stop?”
She shrugged. “It’s four. Sydney never shoots past four if she can help it. She likes to be home with her family and have dinner with her kids and wants the same for everyone else in production. Sure, we’ll have some night scenes to shoot but she’ll go home and hear about Drew and Harper’s day and tuck them in before heading out and working all night.”
“I know we have about ten days of location shots. Does she bring her family along then?”
“She used to,” Keely confirmed. “Now that Drew’s in first grade and Harper’s in pre-school, she makes sure to be gone as little as possible during the school year. You think she’s economic with takes now? Wait until you see her on location. No one films as fast as Sydney because she’s eager to get home to Dash and her kids.”
They reached her trailer and Mac said, “I was thinking about stopping by the hospital to see Josh. Would you like to come?”
“Yes. I’ll take my SUV, though, and meet you in the lobby. What hospital?”
Mac told her. “It’s about ten minutes away. Probably a little more with afternoon traffic picking up.”
“I want to wipe off all this makeup first and change. Let’s say half an hour before I see you there.”
“You’re on.”
Mac turned and saw Jayla waited outside his trailer. “Come on in,” he told the assistant.
As he removed his makeup, Jayla explained what he was to do with his wardrobe each day and then handed him a page.
“These are the scenes we’re shooting tomorrow. You don’t film until after lunch so be here by eleven to be styled and then you can eat.” She smiled. “You did an amazing job today, Mac. I know you had a shaky start but you found your mojo. Are you going to want to watch the rushes after work each day?”
“Absolutely not.”
He’d thought about it and decided he didn’t want to see himself on screen. At least, not yet. Maybe further down the line but, for now, he was content to simply have scenes printed and in the can. Jayla left and he changed back into jeans and a T-shirt and left Thorne Mayfield’s clothes and attitude behind.
Traffic was heavier than he expected but he got to the hospital without a problem. Keely had him spooked about paparazzi and Mac had looked into his rear-view mirror several times on the way over. The lobby only had a handful of people in it, none of them paying him a bit of attention.
Keely breezed through the automatic doors, her face free of makeup except for a light gloss on those very kissable lips.
She joined him and he said, “I wish I could kiss you now.” Before she could protest, he added, “I know. No PDA.”
They headed to the bank of elevators and she said, “I think you should go to Target once we see Josh. Or McDonalds. Some public place that you can stroll through a final time before someone follows you. Takes your picture. Calls your name.”
The doors opened and they stepped inside. Mac said, “I’d rather go home with you.” He punched the button for the seventh floor.
“Not tonight. Scarlett’s coming over for dinner. We have a lot to catch up on and you need to be memorizing lines, Mr. Randall.”
“Then I better make it quick.”
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, making sure they were apart by the time the doors opened. They stepped out as if neither had a care in the world and followed the signage until they reached Josh Middleton’s room. Mac tapped lightly on the door and heard someone inside say, “Come in.”
Opening the door, he ushered Keely in and then followed her. A pale Josh leaned against a couple of pillows, his left arm and leg encased in plaster.
A man around thirty stood next to the bed. He was just under six feet and had mesmerizing green eyes that stood out in his handsome face. Mac pegged him immediately as an actor.
Offering his hand, the man said, “Hi. I’m Finn Jarvis.”
He shook it and recalled why the name sounded so familiar. Josh had offered Finn Jarvis the role of Thorne Mayfield without consulting Sydney and had to contact the actor to tell him Mac would step into Beau Braxton’s shoes instead.
Mac hoped this encounter wouldn’t become awkward. “Hi, Finn. I’m Mac Randall.”
CHAPTER 10
Keely groaned inwardly as Mac shook hands with Finn Jarvis. After she’d landed the part of Ashley Conner, Keely had read with the top three candidates for Thorne Mayfield. Finn had been one of them. As Regina Stevens, the RCDS longtime casting director, told Keely later, they’d had zero chemistry on-screen. Keely thought Finn handsome in a Ralph Lauren moody model way but she thought his delivery was too stiff. Plus, he had very little experience in the industry, despite being in his early thirties. While she was no fan of Beau Braxton, at least Beau sizzled on the screen and when Keely had read with him, she could see how they clicked. She’d been relieved when Beau got the role over Finn.