FULL NOVELXO Thrive: Chapter 31
Lesson of the Day: I got you.
Mikka
Leave it to him to make a joke at a time like this.
“I literally jumped on a flight within hours of resolving the situation, Jay,” I managed through a laugh.
He shrugged and started stripping as he walked toward the bathroom. “I’m sure your scheduler says we have to be on set in about an hour, and I have to get every take on the first try. So, I’m going to get ready.”
“Just like that?” I followed him. We’d opened a Pandora’s box worth of problems and he was as relaxed as ever. “Don’t you want to discuss all this further?”
He smirked down at me, a twinkle in his eye. “If you strip and get in the shower with me, the answer is yes. Always yes.”
“Just so we’re clear, we have literally no time and the amount of damage control we’re going to have to do when we leave this room will be epic.” I was positive that the whole town had heard our fight, that Bob would get wind of Jay’s night, and that the film crew was five minutes away from getting started.
He didn’t wait. He picked me up with my clothes on and plopped me in the shower with him. “Jay! This is freaking designer.”
He unbuttoned my blouse like none of it mattered. “I’ll buy you a new one.”
As water droplets rolled down my face, I said, “I’m starting with ground rules.”
“Good. We need to start over with our ground rules, anyway. You know that, right?”
My eyebrows lifted in confusion as he kneeled before me and slid my pants and panties off. My stomach flexed from the butterflies fluttering through it. Jay kneeling before me, wet in the shower, made me weak at the knees.
“We aren’t who we used to be, Wrecking Ball. You told me before you’re still you, that you aren’t broken. But you are. I am too. Together, though, maybe we can make each other whole again.”
I got down on his level and sat right where he could wrap his legs around me. We made out in the shower until the water ran cold.
He was my person, my safe haven, my home.
As we got dressed, I found myself rushing around the room. “You’re going to be late for your scene.”
“We’re on time. I texted Guillermo. He understands.”
“Understands what?” I said, confused.
“Understands what a man will do when he loves someone. I guess I found our director’s weakness.”
My eyes widened. “Are you… did you just say…”
“Meek, Yue Lao tied us together. I’m not wasting any more time letting you think I don’t love you. I’m committed to this. One hundred percent. You better be too.”
“Jay.” I sighed. “This is fast.”
“We’ve known each other for years. It’s not fast at all.”
I combed my hand through my hair and glanced around the room. When I grabbed my leather bag, I froze. My scheduler was full. I couldn’t add anything to it if I wanted to.
He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Read your planner?”
I turned to hug him and nod into his neck.
“Then, you know. I got you.”
He kissed me, and I wondered how I’d lived this long so close to a friend without knowing he was really my soulmate.
We jogged back over to the set, and Jay introduced me to Guillermo. He kept saying Guillermo wanted to meet the girl that had brought him to his knees.
When I shook the director’s hand, he said, “You don’t like my lighting, I hear?”
I glared daggers at Jay and stumbled over my words as I tried to right the wrong. “I love your work. The lighting is perfect. It’s absolutely—”
“—atrocious,” he finished for me. “We’re flying back to San Francisco to film the scene again. Next time, speak up. You’ll sit by me now.”
He motioned to a crew member, and suddenly a seat stood next to his.
Jay smiled from ear to ear as we talked, then he went off to do makeup.
He filmed every shot in one take.
Guillermo mumbled to himself about the flawless performance but never once complimented the actors, the crew, or anyone.
Just before the final shot, he motioned for them to wait. He turned to me. “Camera angle and lighting good?”
I scratched a temple and realized I’d never been one to accept just good. “The audience needs to see him from her point of view in this shot. The lighting works.”
He nodded, listening closely, and then he yelled for the cameramen to do as I said.
They got the shot first take again.
When Guillermo shouted, “that’s a wrap,” and stalked off, Jay whooped in the background and everyone cheered with him.
Then he yelled for the whole film crew and most of the town to hear, “Our bet’s still on, Wrecking Ball. You’re moving in with me.”