Gun Brooke - Course of Action

Her thoughts shifted to Carolyn. She sounds a little stressed, but that's normal at the beginning of a new job. Thank goodness Carolyn's not too worried about doing the love scenes. What if I'd become jealous because she's going to be almost naked with another woman in a couple of scenes? Now I know how Carolyn and Helen plan to approach the scenes, I certainly don't have anything to worry about there.

Shaking her head, Annelie checked her watch and realized Jem must have arrived at the apartment. She dialed her home number.

"Peterson residence."

"Peterson herself here. How was your flight?"

"Short and turbulent. I tried to work on the flight, but it got so bad,

I think I made permanent indentations in my laptop. It was all I had to hold on to."

"You were working on the plane, Jem? Isn't this supposed to be a vacation?"

"A something-in-between, I'm afraid. I just received two new manuscripts, and they need my opinion before the week's over. One's really promising and the other one…well, let's just say I can't get a grip on it."

"Intriguing either way. If you need another opinion, just let me know."

"Sure. By the way, when will you be home? I'm cooking."

Annelie grinned. Jem's cooking skills were one of her best-kept secrets. "Sounds wonderful. I'll be home around six—Carolyn, soon after."

"Good, then I'll know what to aim for. I'll run down to a grocery store I passed about a block away. It looked promising."

"Marco's? They have everything you could possibly need. Especially their seafood section."

"Is that a request?"

"Well, you know I love any kind of seafood."

"How about gratineed lobster with a salad?"

"Excellent! See you around six, then?"

"I'll be the one wearing the apron."

Hanging up, Annelie tried to envision her chief editor in an apron. Jem intimidated a lot of people, since she didn't tolerate fools and made no bones about it. Perhaps if they saw her wearing an apron and a chef's hat, they'd think differently.

Her mood suddenly brighter after her two phone calls, Annelie put her mother's letters back into the package. She'd get through things, one at a time.

***

Nothing remained of the meal. Carolyn looked down at her rounded stomach, wondering if she'd be able to fit into her clothes at work. They were going to shoot the first scene a day earlier than expected.

"Jem, you're going to cause me all kinds of trouble. Yesterday lobsters, and today this incredible casserole. I'll pop the buttons in all of my clothes," she groaned.

"What can I say? I love to cook. I don't have time when I'm home because I work so much and, frankly, cooking for one isn't very inspiring." Jem shrugged. "I'm glad you liked it."

"Liked it?" Annelie moaned, unbuttoning her jeans. "I don't think that's the right word."

Looking at the empty plates, Jem grinned. "I take that as a compliment."

"We've got to have the Davidsons and Helen over one night," Annelie said. "We can't keep Jem's skills a secret like this. They'll never forgive us."

"I like Helen St. Cyr," Jem said. "She seemed really down-to-earth and nice when we talked briefly at the Orlando convention."

"She is," Carolyn agreed. "We get along better all the time, and I think she and Annelie really hit it off flying back from L.A."

"She has a great sense of humor." Annelie shared the story about Helen's fuck-me boots.

Jem laughed out loud, leaning back into her chair. "Oh, God, the things people want to know. I'm still laughing at the smooth-or-crunchy-peanut-butter question someone asked you, Carolyn."

"In L.A., it was about my belly button," Carolyn said. "It's pretty innocent, though."

"We ought to invite some people from the set." Annelie ran a finger over her lips. "Perhaps Regina and Gregory."

"And Margo."

"Yes, that'd be a lot of fun," Annelie said. "We can make it a casual get-together, nothing fancy. Except the food, of course. I promise to be your kitchen slave, Jem."

"Good. I hate to wash dishes."

"I'll just call for maid service."

As they cleared the table and filled the dishwasher, Carolyn moved with care, since flashes of light sparkled behind her eyelids. The food hadn't stopped her escalating headache. Not wanting to worry the others, she turned to Annelie with a casual smile. "Think it's time for my swim, love. I'll join you in the living room later."

Annelie frowned. "You look pale. Do you have a headache?"

"A little one. It was a long day. A swim will take care of that." Carolyn forced herself to smile.

Annelie didn't look convinced, but she relented. "All right. I'll make you some café latte."

Carolyn smiled again, this time more genuinely. "Oh, you're such a treasure. Royal Copenhagen?"

"Of course." Annelie kissed her on the nose. "Go on."

Carolyn shot Jem a glance and was relieved to see her grin. "You two are too cute for words," she said.

Rolling her eyes in mock exasperation, and immediately regretting it since it sent a jolt of pain through her temples, Carolyn went to get ready. Examining her face in the bathroom mirror, she realized Annelie was right. She was pale, with dark shadows under her eyes.

As Carolyn pushed through the cool water, her arms seemed heavier than normal. Changing from the breaststroke to a crawl, she tried to ignore the pain in her shoulders. The current seemed stronger than usual, making her wonder if she'd accidentally changed the settings. After another ten minutes of the searing ache, she decided to stop and was stunned at how difficult it was to climb out of the pool.

Stumbling into the shower, she let hot water flow down her body, relieved at how it relaxed her. Carolyn closed her eyes, willing her breathing to calm down. I can't let Jem and Annelie see me this way. I've got to keep these silly headaches under control.

After her shower, Carolyn avoided the noisy hairdryer and instead swallowed two Relpax, knowing they'd knock her out.

Jem and Annelie were in the living room talking, low music playing in the background.

"Ladies, I'm heading for bed."

Annelie's head snapped up. "Already? It's only eight thirty." She walked over to Carolyn and pressed the back of her hand against Carolyn's forehead. "Don't you want your coffee?"

"No. I'm sorry, love. Not tonight. I must be anxious about the first day of filming. I'm exhausted."

"Let me tuck you in. Be right back, Jem."

"Don't worry about me," Jem smiled, waving a DVD cover in their direction. "I found a movie I haven't seen. Mind if I pop this in?"

"Of course not."

After Annelie folded the covers back, Carolyn climbed in, dressed in one of Annelie's long T-shirts. "Thanks, love."

"Shh, just relax. Want me to rub your temples?"

"Could you kiss them instead? It helps when you press your lips right where it hurts."

Annelie leaned over Carolyn and kissed her forehead. Slowly the pain dissipated, fading to a faint throb. "Oh, yes."

Not saying anything, Annelie kept kissing her forehead. The motion was hypnotizing, and Carolyn felt herself drift off into the half-conscious state just before sleep. "…so much…" she murmured.

"Better?"

"…love you…"

"I know. Go to sleep. I love you too," Annelie whispered against her skin. "You'll be fine. That's it. Sleep."

Carolyn wanted to say how much she appreciated Annelie's care, but the words forming in her head never reached her lips.

***

Regina Carmichael waved the script in the air, a sure sign she had something important to say.

"Listen up, ladies. You've got to make the audience realize how much the denial and evasions of their mutual attraction torment Erica. This scene will ratchet up the tension for the all-important one where Erica kisses Maddox. Carolyn, play Maddox as bewildered, yet furious. Helen, Erica is defensive and equally angry. You did a great job at the tabletop exercise. Now show me you can take it over the top. Everything clear?"