Kate Hardy - Behind the Film Star's Smile

‘Why didn’t you have a choice?’ The assistant’s voice was softer, now. Kinder.

God, how easy it would be to let himself respond. But he couldn’t afford to do that. He needed to keep his focus.

‘Your aunt must’ve known you’re working this week. She could’ve booked Baloo into kennels.’

‘She’s not my aunt’s dog, either.’ The words slipped out before he could stop them.

She raised an eyebrow. ‘So how come your aunt asked you to look after Baloo?’

It was a long, long story.

Diversion was the best tactic here. He smiled at her. ‘I’m sorry; I didn’t catch your name earlier.’

‘Jess Greenacre.’

‘Jess.’ Short for Jessica? A staccato name, clipped and a little harsh. How she’d been with him when he’d walked in. But now he looked at her—Jess. Softer. Sweeter. She wasn’t wearing a scrap of make-up, not even mascara to enhance those amazing green eyes.

And what the hell was he doing, letting himself notice that? He shook himself. Even if he was in a position to think about another relationship, it sure as hell wouldn’t be with anyone remotely connected to the movie business. Been there, done that, and been vilified by the press for it. Which really rankled, considering that he hadn’t been the one who’d cheated and broken up the marriage.

Though he had lied. About one tiny little fact. And if that ever got out...

He shook himself. ‘Jess. I was pretty short with you this morning. Rude, even. I’m sorry. This is your first day on set, isn’t it?’

She looked surprised that he’d noticed. ‘Yes, it is, Mr McKenzie.’

‘Call me Luke. And welcome to the team,’ he said.

She folded her arms. ‘OK, you get points for good manners. Even though I suspect you might be acting your socks off, right now.’

To his surprise, he found himself laughing.

When was the last time he’d really laughed like that? Really been amused?

And when was the last time someone had called him on his behaviour instead of tiptoeing round him? Probably not since before the break-up of his marriage.

Jess Greenacre was refreshing. And she was the first person in a long while to intrigue him. She looked older than the average production assistant, so this probably wasn’t her first job. So why was she in such a junior role?

None of his business, he reminded himself.

‘I’m not acting right now,’ he said. ‘And I’m not usually—well, like I was this morning.’

‘But your dog had just chewed your co-star’s shoes, there were some feathers that needed unruffling, and time was tight. You were under too much pressure, and you snapped.’

She’d worked all that out? Bright as well as refreshing, then. Apart from the one thing she just hadn’t seemed to grasp. ‘Baloo’s not my dog, but otherwise yes,’ he admitted. ‘My co-star didn’t want a doggy audience at rehearsals. I did put Baloo in a crate but then she howled the place down and the director wasn’t too pleased. I thought she’d be OK if I let her out. She sat really nicely and just watched. I thought it would be fine.’ He sighed. ‘I wasn’t prepared for her to sneak off when my back was turned and steal some shoes to chew. Even though she’s pretty much destroyed my house, the last two days.’

‘Destroyed your house?’ Jess asked.

‘I left her for ten minutes on Saturday morning to get some croissants and a newspaper. She opened every cupboard in the kitchen while I was gone and shredded every bag and box she could find. You wouldn’t believe how much mess rice, pasta, oatmeal and a bag of flour can make. Or how long it takes to clear up.’

Jess raised an eyebrow. ‘You didn’t leave her with any toys?’

‘She didn’t come with toys.’ He sighed. ‘She’s gutted three cushions, shredded two newspapers, chewed my script—and she can undo doors, so she won’t stay on her own bed at night and then insists on having more than half of mine.’

This time, Jess laughed. ‘I think Baloo needs something to keep her mind busy. Like those balls you can stuff with treats, and the dog has to work hard to get the treats out.’

Jess sounded as if she actually knew what she was talking about. ‘You know stuff about dogs?’ he checked.

She looked wary. ‘A bit.’

‘Jess, I need help. I know nothing about dogs. I’ve never had one.’

‘So why did your aunt ask you to look after her?’

‘It’s a long story.’ He looked at her. ‘You’ve probably been in here since the crack of dawn, and you’ll be expected in at the same time tomorrow. I can’t hold you up any longer. That’s not fair. I’ll take the dog and let you get on.’

She looked surprised, as if she hadn’t expected him to notice the kind of hours the production team worked. And he could hardly blame her. She’d accused him of acting like Mr Big Shot Actor.

Which, admittedly, he had.

‘I’m not usually this much of an idiot,’ he said. ‘Without a good support team, no matter how many awards the cast has won between them, a film just won’t happen. You need the whole crew to work together, whether they’re in front of the camera or behind the scenes.’

‘Right.’ She looked thoughtfully at him. ‘I can stay a bit longer. How about I make us a cup of tea and you tell me about Baloo?’

‘How about,’ he said, ‘I make the tea?’

‘But you’re—’

‘Part of the team,’ he cut in, not wanting to hear her repeat that he was Mr Big Shot Actor. ‘If you’re going to tell me things that can help me deal with a shoe-stealing dog who chews anything she can get her paws on, then making you a cup of tea is the very least I can do.’

* * *

Was he still acting? Jess wondered.

Then again, Ayesha had said that Luke used to be a total sweetheart, but he’d had a hard time over the last year and it seemed to have changed him.

Maybe this man was the real Luke McKenzie, rather than the arrogant, grumpy man she’d met this morning.

And everyone deserved a second chance.

Well, nearly everyone. There were a couple of people that Jess hoped would stay in prison for the rest of their lives. Though now wasn’t the time to think about that.

‘Thank you, Mr McKenzie.’

‘Luke,’ he reminded her.

This was surreal. Since when would an A-list movie star ask you to call him by his first name? She pinched herself surreptitiously, just in case this was some weirdly realistic dream. It hurt. Not a dream, then. ‘Luke,’ she repeated. ‘I like my tea very weak and milky.’

‘So the tea bag says hello to the water and disappears again? That’s utterly gross,’ Luke said, ‘but OK, if that’s how you want it. Sugar?’

‘No, thanks. Tell me about Baloo.’

‘My aunt volunteers at a home for abandoned dogs,’ he said. ‘Baloo was—um—oh, just cover her ears for a second, will you?’

Cover the dog’s ears? Jess didn’t get it, but she did as he asked.

‘She was on death row. Monica—my aunt—smuggled her out. The problem was, Monica had to be at the airport six hours after that, and all the kennels were full.’

Jess smelt a rat. A very, very big one. ‘All the kennels were full?’

‘According to Monica, yes. She didn’t actually tell me why Baloo was on death row, but I’m guessing it’s to do with the stealing and chewing.’

‘Normally it’s because they’re an older dog who’s been abandoned, or because the owners can’t look after them any more—’ Jess forced herself not to think because they’d died ‘—and none of their friends or family has room for a pet. She’s young and healthy.’ She shrugged and stopped covering Baloo’s ears. ‘You’re probably right about the chewing. I’d guess it’s separation anxiety, especially as she wanted to be with you and she doesn’t cope with being left alone. But your aunt must’ve realised you know nothing about dogs.’