“Congratulations, Katie.” Anne stopped her friend in the middle of the sidewalk to hug her properly.
“Thank you. I’m a little terrified but mostly incredibly happy.” Katie returned her hug but stepped back after a moment with a frown between her brows. “What’s going on over there?”
“What’s going on over where?” Tessa and Bethany caught up with them just then.
“Over there.” Katie pointed at the crowd gathering in a wide semicircle on the sidewalk a few dozen yards ahead of them. She went on her tippy-toes and craned her neck. “I can’t see a thing.”
“Come on, Bethany.” Tessa grabbed Bethany’s hand, and they took off toward the horde of people. Coraline, Joe, and Aiden were already there, adding their numbers to the crowd.
“Katie.” Pete ran back to claim his wife. “You gotta see this.”
The two of them ran ahead and caught up with the girls as they joined the throng. Katie was surprisingly fast for someone who’d hardly eaten all day. The poor woman had such bad morning sickness, which was how Anne had figured it out.
“Let’s go see what the fuss is about.” Frederick urged Anne toward the commotion with a hand low on her back. She might have walked slower than necessary to prolong the touch.
By the time they joined the rest of their group, Tessa was hopping up and down to get a better look. Frederick’s hand lingered on Anne’s back a moment longer before he dropped it to his side. She bit her lip to stop the protest on the tip of her tongue.
“It looks like they’re filming something,” Aiden said, rubbernecking this way and that.
“Do you see anyone famous?” Tessa hopped harder, grunting from the effort. Aiden stopped looking past the crowd and watched her with a grin on his face.
“I don’t think so.” Frederick stood nearly a head taller than everyone, so he watched the mystery beyond the veil with hishands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. “It looks like they’re just getting set up.”
Anne rose to her tiptoes, her curiosity getting the best of her. When she still couldn’t see, she pushed herself to the points of her toes. Then she lost her balance and wobbled toward Frederick.
“Whoa.” He steadied her, his arm coming around her.
His hard, muscled arm pressed against her back, and his big, warm hands circled her upper arms. Dizzy with yearning, she leaned into him a bit more to steady herself, which made her even dizzier. It was a lust-inducing catch-22.
“Do you want to take a look?” he asked close to her ear, which did nothing to dampen her desire. She clenched her thighs together, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip.
Before she could gather her wits to answer, he dropped his hands to her waist and lifted her up as though she weighed nothing. She squeaked and clasped her fingers around his hands, but he didn’t let her fall. Of course he didn’t. And after a few seconds, he gently lowered her to her feet.
“Did you see them?” Frederick didn’t even sound winded, but his eyes bored into hers with an intensity that leftherbreathless.
“Yes.” She hoped she didn’t look as turned on as she felt. She dropped her eyes to her feet to pull herself together. At least the rest of their party was still busy watching the spectacle to notice her and Frederick. “Um, you’re right. They are setting up for a shoot. It might be a while before actual filming starts.”
“Do you miss it?” He cocked his head to the side.
“I do.” She thought for a moment. “Quite a bit, actually.”
“But not enough to rush into something that could deplete your well.” He watched her from beneath his lashes. “On your own terms, right?”
“Right.” A tremulous smile curved her lips as warmth spreadin her chest. He cared enough to remember their conversation. As a friend, of course. “On my own terms.”
She’d had plenty of time to take in the scene—the cameras, the lights, the microphones—as he held her aloft. Excitement, and a touch of impatience, had coursed through her at the sight. Or maybe the heat of the hands that nearly spanned her waist was responsible for her reaction. Either way, she was grateful for Frederick’s reminder. She wanted to act—to live her life—on her own terms.
“Meh,” Aiden pronounced. “Nothing much to see. Just a bunch of people scurrying around. I have no idea what they’re doing.”
“I bet Anne could invite us to awaycooler shooting for her Hollywood debut.” Coraline winked at Anne. “Hint, hint.”
“You might have to wait awhile, because I plan on being very selective.” Anne blushed, sneaking a peek at Frederick. He caught her eyes and grinned crookedly.Oh my goodness.She had to clear her throat before she could continue. “Besides, I don’t even have any offers yet.”
“You’ll be mobbed with them soon,” Bethany said with sweet conviction. “And youshouldbe picky. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”
Anne curled her hands into a heart and held it out toward Bethany. Anne was so lucky to have her as her cousin. She’d grown into a kind, sweet woman.
“All right, folks.” Katie clapped her hands smartly. “Let’s get moving. We have a long trek back to our home away from home.”
