But then again, a dozen or so orgasms do that to a body.
Needless to say, there was a definite bounce in my step as I got ready and left for work. Even Adam commented on it.
“What’s got you so damn cheerful at five o’clock in the morning?” He groaned as he followed me to wardrobe. “It’s annoying.”
“I don’t know. It’s just a beautiful morning.”
“Right.” Adam gave me some serious side eye as he ran through the day’s call sheet. “I’ll text Briar and let her know what time you’ll expect Zoe today.”
“Actually—” I cut myself off and shook my head. What was I thinking? I didn’t text her about the schedule. Ever. I was supposed to be keeping our work and private lives separate.
But Adam was still looking at me expectantly, and I was supposed to say something here.Line?I waited for my brain to catch up with my mouth.
“Sorry. I thought for a second today was the day Rome was supposed to show up. But it’s not. I don’t think anyhow. Did I tell you when he’s coming to visit?” I pulled out my phone like I was going to dig through my texts even though I knew he wouldn’t be here for almost two weeks.
Which Adam then reminded me.
I inclined my head. “Right. Anyhow, tell me again what time do I need to be in the makeup trailer?”
Days like this made me glad I made my living acting. Pretending that everything was all right came so much easier.
The rest of my morning was the typical shitshow. Prima donna costars who thought the schedule was a suggestion. Itchy clothes. And a director who kept pushing for more and more emotion until I was exhausted.
The only thing that kept me going was knowing I would be seeing my daughter in a few hours.
And yet, when I left my bathroom fresh from a shower, my eyes strayed to Briar’s face and not the little girl in her arms at first. Damn, Briar looked gorgeous this morning—all glowing and smiling down at the little girl in her arms. Then Briar’s eyes met mine, and a deep blush stained her cheeks. She rolled her shoulders and looked away.
I grinned. I might’ve been thinking about her while I’d taken my shower just minutes ago. So many naughty thoughts about what I wanted to do to her later tonight.
“Dada!” Zoe shrieked, flinging herself out of Briar’s arms.
I caught her with a grunt. Despite her boner killing abilities, I grinned down at my excited little girl, loving the way she grinned back at me. I gently wiped a few stray drops of water my still wet hair had rained down on her. “Zo-zo. What did you guys get up to this morning? Did you have fun with Bri—” I turned to include Briar in our conversation, but she was already gone. “—ar.”
The trailer door closed behind her.
I stared at the closed door for a long moment, more than a little bit let down. Was she really that flustered seeing me today? I couldn’t think of another reason she’d suddenly give me the cold shoulder. Usually we exchanged a few pleasantries before she ran off to craft services.
Frowning, I jostled my little girl in my arms, but my gaze was caught by the confusion on Adam’s face. His eyes were also on the closed trailer door before he turned to me. His confused expression quickly turned to a shocked one as he met my eyeline.
“Right. I should’ve known,” he muttered before he shook his head. “I’m gonna head out. You know how to reach me if you need me. You have to be back on set in ninety minutes. Bye, Zoe.”
“Bye bye.” Zoe’s squeaky voice pulled me out of my oh-shit moment.
Besides, did it really matter if Adam knew about us? He’d signed an NDA like Briar had. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t tell anyone without being served with a lawsuit. Not to mention what betraying me would do to his reputation in this town. Privacy was valued almost as much as an Oscar in Hollywood. No one would want to work with him again if he betrayed me.
I had nothing to worry about.
“You hungry, princess? Want some chicken nuggets?” I nuzzled the top of my daughter’s head and breathed in her sweet baby scent.
For the first time in a long time, it felt like things were working out. Maybe I’d finally figured out this whole work/home life balance. Apparently, all I’d needed for both to function was Briar.
* * *
Only, when I got home that night, she wasn’t waiting for me in the living room like I’d hoped.
My hard-on deflated slightly with my disappointment.
Briar had waited for me downstairs every night for the past two weeks. It’d become our thing. We would share our days with each other and delve into deeper discussions. I’d looked forward to it every day.