problems. And thank you.
A few moments later, his phone beeped to signal an incoming message. Jess again.
All fine. Baloo v keen on chicken.
Uh-oh. Had the dog stolen her sandwich? Something else he’d have to replace.
He typed:
Sorry. Will reimburse you for anything Baloo steals or trashes.
The reply was a smiley face.
No need. Is training aid.
‘Luke, we’re ready to go again,’ the director called.
Director wants me back to work. See you later.
He switched his phone off again when the message had been sent.
* * *
At quarter to six, Luke walked into the production office. ‘Sorry I’m late. Rehearsals overran a bit.’
Jess looked up from her desk and smiled. ‘No worries.’
At the sound of his voice, Baloo leaped up from her bed, woofed, and raced over to him.
‘I think someone’s missed you,’ Ayesha said with a grin.
‘Just tell me she didn’t disgrace herself,’ Luke said, rolling his eyes.
‘She’s been great,’ Jess told him. ‘Actually, Baloo has something she wants to show you. Stand in front of her and crouch down a bit. Baloo, shake hands,’ she instructed.
The dog obliged by lifting her paw and shaking hands with Luke.
‘Wow. I didn’t know she could do that.’ He looked impressed.
‘She can now. She picks things up quickly and Labradors are very trainable—I think you could have a potential movie star dog here.’
He laughed. ‘If I didn’t know better, I’d say my aunt called you and recruited you to her campaign to get me a dog.’
‘She adores you.’
‘Because I’m her favourite nephew. Yeah, yeah.’
‘I meant the dog adores you.’ Jess couldn’t help laughing. ‘You’re that used to people adoring you?’
‘My aunt, yes.’
Interesting that he’d mentioned his aunt rather than his parents or grandparents. So did that mean he was closer to his aunt than to any other relative? Had he lost his parents young, maybe?
Not that it was any of her business. She was simply looking after his dog for three days, not becoming his best friend or anything even close to it. She needed to back off. Now. ‘I, um, guess I’d better let you and Baloo get on,’ she said. ‘See you tomorrow.’
‘OK. Want me to make you a cup of tea before I go?’ he asked.
Ayesha coughed. ‘How come you’ve managed to snag yourself a personal tea boy, Jess?’
Luke grinned. ‘If I remember rightly, Ayesha, you hate tea and only drink espresso. Stronger than anyone else I know can take it, and that includes the Italians.’
‘Actors and their memories. I swear they have elephant genes,’ Ayesha teased.
‘Well, there has to be some benefit to learning lines,’ Luke said with a wink.
‘Jess, you can go now, if you like,’ Ayesha said. ‘I’ll finish up here.’
‘Sure?’ Jess asked.
‘Sure,’ Ayesha confirmed.
And somehow Jess found herself walking out of the office with Luke McKenzie.
‘Can I take you for a drink to say thank you?’ he asked.
Now she knew he was being polite. And she’d be polite back. ‘Thanks, but no. I have a standing date on Tuesday evenings.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘With my sister, my best friend and a pizza.’ And why had she felt the need to explain that? she wondered, cross with herself. He wouldn’t be interested. He was a movie star, for pity’s sake, not a normal everyday guy.
‘Enjoy,’ he said. ‘Maybe we can take a rain check on that drink.’
A permanent rain check, she thought. So they’d never actually go. ‘Sure.’
‘Seriously. Baloo and I owe you.’
A mad idea floated into her head. ‘If you really want to say thank you, you could give me two signed photos.’
He looked taken aback. ‘Two signed photos?’
What, did he think she meant to sell them on eBay or something? ‘For my sister and my best friend,’ she explained. ‘It’d make their day. They drag me off to see all your films.’
He grinned. ‘Under duress, would that be?’
She winced. ‘Sorry, that came out wrong. I like your films, too.’
‘But rom-coms aren’t your thing?’
‘I like them,’ she said, trying to be polite.
‘But?’
‘But I prefer action films,’ she confessed. ‘Especially sci-fi. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude.’
He laughed. ‘No, it’s refreshing. It’s nice to have someone being honest instead of telling me that they’ve seen all my films twenty times and I’m the best actor in the world—which I know I’m not. Of course I’ll give you a signed photo for your sister and your best friend. It’s the least I can do. Come back with me and Baloo to my trailer and I’ll get them
