Jenna had the attitude that she’d sit wherever there was space or next to whoever looked like an interesting person to talk to, whether they were cast, crew or an extra. Having worked as a supporting artist in the past, she loathed the cliqueiness of some principal actors who stuck together and ignored everyone else. She strived to not be like that and yet found herself in the difficult position of bonding with the main cast, who she was working with on a daily basis, but still trying to get to know the extras.
It was the middle of the third week of shooting when Milo waved her over. She’d been heading to a table filled with crew but it felt ruder to ignore him than it did to go and sit with him, so she headed over and Amanda joined them. Timothy was already there, sitting next to Milo, and Jenna could see Lily in the lunch queue, jumping ahead of the extras. It was a normal part of filming, the principal actors and crew getting special treatment. She understood the reasoning that they had to be back on set and working, but she knew what it felt like to work in the background. It was very different from being in the limelight, something she’d not yet got used to, unlike Milo who seemed one hundred per cent comfortable with his Hollywood star status.
‘I’ve missed seeing you this week, Jenna. Only had Timothy for company. Although we’ve got a scene together this afternoon, haven’t we?’
Did he actually wink at her? It wasn’t like the scene was anything major. All it involved was Jenna brushing past him and Milo giving her ‘a look’. Their actual kissing scene would come later in the shoot. They’d been slated to wrap early today – how hard would it be to muck up a scene with absolutely no dialogue?
‘Learnt your lines?’ He definitely winked at her that time.
‘Ha ha.’ Jenna stabbed her fork into the pasta salad.
‘They’re my favourite scenes.’
‘What? The ones where you don’t have to learn any lines?’ Amanda grinned across the table at him.
‘I should be an extra.’
‘Rather than a bona fide Hollywood star?’ Timothy raised an eyebrow. ‘I’d stick to learning lines, mate.’
Jenna chewed a mouthful of pasta. Their casual put-down made her squirm.
Milo finished his food, pushed his plate away and leant back in his chair. His dark eyes focused on her. ‘So, when are we going to get to see where you’re staying, Jenna? You’re this mysterious woman, disappearing off every evening on your own. I want to see where you hang out away from the rest of us.’
‘Why don’t you all come back this evening?’
‘A party.’ Amanda clapped her hands.
‘Well, I mean, sort of. A few drinks, some food...’
‘Sounds good to me.’ Milo met her eyes and held her gaze. She squirmed again, but less from annoyance this time and more from his ability to make her feel flustered.
~
It was strange doing the familiar drive back to Bramble Cottage with Milo. His tanned arm rested on the open window and sunglasses shaded his eyes. Jenna relished the breeze buffering her face as they bombed along narrow lanes. She’d got to know where the passing places were and her confidence in country driving had increased.
Jenna pulled into the driveway and stopped on the gravel parking area. Apart from the cottage still being clad in scaffolding it exuded peacefulness the moment she switched off the engine.
Milo got out of the car, took off his sunglasses and looked around. ‘This place is actually yours?’
‘My parents. Left to my mum by her aunt.’
‘It’s fucking ace.’ Milo took the box of wine and beer from off the back seat and walked to the front door.
Jenna followed him, her eyes fixed on his broad shoulders and his flexed arm muscles as he carried the box of booze. It was more than just his fame that made him noticeable; he was confident and sure of himself. Fame probably helped with that, but Jenna got the feeling he’d always been like this. He’d probably been an infuriatingly cocky kid. They’d gone to the same drama school but he’d graduated four years before her and even back then, everyone had heard of Milo Blake. Everything about him screamed film star: his lusciously thick dark hair, tanned skin, handsome face with defined cheekbones, full lips and dark brooding eyes.
He reached the door and Jenna squeezed past him. His aftershave mixed with the scent of the garden. She fumbled for the key in her bag. He was only a little bit taller than her but lean and muscular in all the right places as far as she could tell. Who was she kidding? She’d seen the shirtless photos in magazines – the top 100 sexiest men. He always made it on to those lists, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch.
She sensed him behind her, so close she imagined him sliding his arms around her. She hurriedly pushed open the door and they went inside.
Jenna switched on the light and dumped her bag on the kitchen table. ‘It needs work doing to it, mostly cosmetic though.’
‘It’s awesome.’ Milo put the box next to her bag and wandered across the kitchen. He peered up the stairs and then poked his head into the living room. ‘Bet there’s a fireplace hidden behind that monstrosity.’
‘Yeah, knocking that out is on the list for the builder to do once he’s finished working on the outside. There’s damp upstairs which is hopefully sorted now the roof’s fixed.’
‘I’d love to have an old house like this but the upkeep must be a nightmare.’
‘It’s okay if you’ve got the time and money to spend on it – or get someone in to fix it.’
Silhouetted in the living room doorway, Milo turned and
