Nina and Scott were waiting for us in their bathroom, and while she was busy reviewing the notes she’d made earlier today, he had the in-ear monitors ready for us.
“Just as a reminder, these are water-resistant,” he said, “but not waterproof.”
I took the one he offered me and fitted it inside my ear, nodding my understanding. It was then that the hairs on the back of my neck stood up with awareness. My body sensed Colin’s arrival before anything else, and I turned to peer at him through the mirror hanging over one of the sinks.
He was barefoot and wore jeans and an oatmeal-colored Henley, which hung perfectly across his frame. I was instantly frustrated at how good he looked, even when he was so casual. I’d spent the last thirty minutes upstairs preparing for the scene, and yet all he’d had to do was throw on clothes.
It was such bullshit that his effortless style was so fucking appealing.
“Hey, Colin.” Abbie used the same warm tone she did with everyone, but this felt like a betrayal. He was a jerk, and I didn’t want her to like him. And if she had to like him, well, it was important she liked me better.
“Hi,” he replied. His smile toward her was sexy, and I scowled.
“We didn’t talk about it yet. Am I playing the part of the stepsister?” Abbie asked Nina.
The older woman laughed. “No. Trust me. Madison and Colin are born to play the roles of stepsiblings. When they act like they don’t like each other, they don’t have to do much acting.”
Abbie’s expression widened with surprise, and she looked to me for confirmation. “You don’t like Colin?”
“She doesn’t,” he said before I could get a word in, “but don’t worry. The feeling’s mutual.”
I sighed. “We’re not friends.” I repeated the same phrase he’d used the night we’d done our scene together. “But it’s not a problem for me.”
She looked skeptical, but then Nina began going over the script, silencing whatever questions she wanted to ask.
Thankfully, there weren’t lines to memorize. We were given the setup of the scene and the direction our brief conversation would need to go to sell the story. This allowed the dialogue to sound more authentic.
When there was no more discussion and everyone was ready to start filming, Nina, Scott, and Colin exited the bathroom. The husband and wife went downstairs to the office, while Colin remained in their bedroom until it was time to make his entrance.
It meant Abbie and I were alone in the bathroom, and nervous tension began to crawl up my back. She was too busy at first to notice, checking her makeup in the mirror while we waited for a voice to come through our in-ear monitors and tell us to start. Then her gaze met mine through the reflection and she delivered a soft smile.
“Don’t be nervous. I’ll take good care of you.”
I bet you will, a voice inside me cooed, and some of my anxiety dissipated.
The sound quality on the device in my ear wasn’t perfect, but I understood Nina well enough when she spoke. “Whenever you’re ready, Madison.”
Like I did backstage before performing in high school, I filled my lungs with air and pushed it out at a slow, calming pace. I imagined the person I needed to become for the scene and did my best to get into character.
I was creating Annika Adore today. And she could be whoever she fucking wanted to be.
My lips widened into a smile as I looked at Abbie, wordlessly telling her I was about to begin.
“You sure you don’t want to take a shower?” I asked. “That was such a hard workout.” My tone was bright and upbeat as I wiped at my forehead, pretending it was sweatier than it was. “We have another shower in the guest bathroom if you want to—”
She waved a hand, brushing off my question. “No, I’m okay.”
“You don’t mind if I take one, right? I just need to rinse off.”
The way she tilted her head and her expression changed, it was so perfect. Like her sexy plan wasn’t scripted—she was really coming up with it right now, just this very second. Her gaze slid down my body, taking in my form-fitted tank top and tight leggings. “You go right ahead.”
I pretended to be oblivious to her sultry voice. “There’s lots of stuff in the fridge. Help yourself to whatever you want, and hopefully my asshole stepbrother stays upstairs and doesn’t bother you.”
Once again, she waved her hand. “He’s not that bad.”
“Whatever.” I made a production out of rolling my eyes. “Anyway, I won’t be long.”
“Okay.” Her voice dipped low and sexy. “See you soon.”
She flashed a final smile before turning and striding to the door, which she pulled closed behind her as she left.
It was a strange sensation to be the only person in the bathroom, but knew I wasn’t alone.