“Bloody Nora, Skye.”
“Think about it before you say no.” He looked queasy. “If it’s a no, I need somewhere to stay anyway,” I added, taking hold of his elbow. “Can I have your settee for the night? Pay back for all the times you’ve stayed on mine.”
“What the hell? Jesus, do you even know these people?”
“They have connections with the adult cinema in Brighton. I know the owner. It’s safe, the director is female. She has a great view of what porn should be. I’ve watched a few of her films and they are…beautiful.”
“I can’t believe this. What am I doing?”
I smiled and he started laughing. I loved that sound. Totally free and natural.
“You’ll come with me?” I watched as he turned around, nodded his head and muttered strings of swear words before pushing up his glasses with his finger.
“Of all the things you’ve got me into, this has to be the worst. I mean, Skye. For fuck’s sake.”
“I’ll leave you alone after this. I’ll never get you involved in anything else again.” He laughed like he didn’t believe me. “Just say yes.”
His eyes dropped to my mouth and right in that moment I didn’t feel like a woman with a ridiculous idea. I felt like a woman who could hold up the world. I could achieve, I could reach, I could master. All through one look from Will.
He shook his head and my heart fell to join the pebbles on the beach, mixing and settling together.
“I’ll do it, Skye. But promise me one thing.”
I waited for banter. I waited for deadpan. I waited for sarcasm.
But I didn’t find it.
“Don’t leave me alone after this. OK?”
6
Skye
I won’t be home tonight. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. x
I sent a quick text to Stacey before dropping my phone into my bag. I hadn’t told her about my porn film idea. She was one of my best friends, would have supported me wholeheartedly, but she was currently up to her heart in potential devastation and I concluded that she didn’t need my harebrained ideas adding to the mix.
Falling for a male escort wasn’t easy.
And falling for your one of your best friends wasn’t all roses either.
“Is this it?” Will asked, glancing at me.
“Don’t say it,” I replied, knowing what his next sentence would be. The building in front of us looked like a warehouse. A dilapidated old place where you’d be handed a hard hat at the door, not a vibrator and some lube. I took a deep breath and tried to calm the anxiety racing across my chest. What had I gotten us into?
“This place exudes sexuality,” he deadpanned. “I’m turned on just by looking at it.”
“Keep your thoughts to yourself,” I replied as I pulled my shoulders back and strode towards the building.
“If I don’t make it out alive, tell my mum I love her,” he shouted behind me as I crossed the road. “Stace can have my car and you can feast on my carcass.”
“Grow some balls, Will.” I threw him the finger over my shoulder and pressed the intercom.
“Yep,” a crackly voice said.
“Oh, hi. I’m Skye and this is Will.”
“Hi,” Will said from behind me. I welcomed the warmth of his body and tried to convince myself the shiver it caused was down to the cold night air and nothing else. I couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said to me. Don’t leave me alone, Skye. The words felt full, loaded with more, but was I reading too much into them? We had history, that couldn’t be doubted. We needed each other, absolutely, but as friends only, or something more?
No. Nothing more.
But he said, Don’t leave me alone!
“We’re here to watch the filming tonight.” The door buzzed and I pushed it open to reveal a steep, narrow staircase. Small lights lit up each step and as we climbed them, I could hear Will muttering under his breath. I imagined him puffing out his cheeks and shaking his head. Nerves were something he did well.
“Do you think they’ll all be naked?” he asked as we reached the top. “Are we walking straight into the action or do they build up the newbs?”
“And you think I’m supposed to know that? I’m a newbie here to, you know.”
“What kind of scene is it? Do I need to be prepared for cocks or vag?”
I shook my head and tried to stop myself from smiling. “Both, you plonker.”
“A man and a woman?”
“Yes,” I replied sharply, my own nerves shot.
A door opened to the side of us and a woman appeared holding a camera. “Skye?” I nodded and she smiled wide. “I finally get to meet you. It was almost like we were online dating for all this time.” She placed her hand to her chest. “I’m Margot, I’m directing the shoot tonight.” She looked behind me to Will and waved. “You must be Will.” He sprang forward, nervous energy on full blast as he shook her hand. “Follow me, guys. I’ll take you through.”
“Jesus, where has that hand just been?” Will whispered against my ear sending a current down my body. I wish he’d stop doing that. It happened a lot.
Take the default position. Banter. Snark.
“Are you going to take this seriously or not? I don’t need dead wood here, Will.” He started laughing and fuck me, why didn’t I engage my brain before I spoke?
“That’s what all the porn directors say,” he replied behind his hand.
“Funny. Not.”
Margot clapped her hands and pulled herself up to stand on a makeshift bar, part of a set that I assumed was for the shoot. “Everyone, this is Skye and Will. They’re shadowing me tonight. Let’s give them a warm welcome.” The people who had crowded together started whooping and clapping. I noticed a guy with a camera under his arm and a
