Behind the Film Star's Smile

‘Can’t you find a dog-sitting service?’ she asked in a last-ditch effort.

‘Dump her on someone else, you mean?’ He grimaced. ‘Monica trusted me with her, and I’ve already messed up once. I feel Baloo ought to stay near me.’

‘Even though you keep telling me she’s not your dog?’ She couldn’t help calling him on the inconsistency.

‘Fair point.’ He sighed. ‘Look, Monica’s my favourite aunt. And she’s batted my corner more than once. This is my chance to do something for her. I just need someone to help me get through the next three days.’

Three days.

Knowing that she was probably doing totally the wrong thing, but not being able to steel her heart enough to be sensible, Jess said, ‘OK. I’ll help. Provided it’s OK with Ayesha.’

‘Thank you, Jess. I really appreciate this.’

When Luke shook her hand, it made Jess feel all funny. Tingly. Weird. Like nothing she’d ever experienced before.

Then again, Luke McKenzie was a movie star. He had stage presence—no, screen presence—and this was a straightforward case of being faced with that for the first time. After a couple of weeks of working on the set, no doubt she’d be completely immune to it.

‘No problem, Mr McKenzie,’ she mumbled.

He gave her another of those knee-melting smiles. ‘I meant it when I said to call me Luke.’

Oh, that smile. On the big screen, his smile was stunning. In real life, it was a hundred times better. No wonder he had a ton of female fans willing to fall at his feet and do just about anything for him. Jess was horribly aware that she’d just joined their ranks and she understood now for the first time why her sister and her best friend had always raved about him so much.

Because Luke McKenzie really was something else.

‘So, where do we start?’ he asked. ‘What time are you in tomorrow?’

‘Half past seven.’

‘You’ll need time to get stuff sorted, first. Shall I meet you here at half past eight?’ he asked.

Again, Jess’s whole body felt tingly and weird. Which was crazy. Luke McKenzie wasn’t asking her out on a date and arranging when and where to meet her. Of course a movie star wouldn’t ask an ordinary person on a date. He just wanted her to help him train his dog. This was business.

‘If it’s OK with Ayesha,’ she said again.

‘If what’s OK with me?’ the production manager said, walking back into the office and clearly overhearing the end of Jess’s words.

‘I need help with the dog,’ Luke said. ‘So she doesn’t steal anything else from Mimi and chew it to pieces. It’s only for three days. And I’m more than happy to pay for a temp to fill in for Jess.’

‘Baloo wasn’t any trouble today,’ Jess said. ‘I don’t need anyone to fill in for me. I can still do what I need to do here and have her with me.’

‘Are you sure?’ Luke asked.

She nodded.

‘If the actors are happy, then I’m happy,’ Ayesha said. ‘OK, Mr McKenzie. Jess can help with your dog.’

He grimaced. ‘We were on first-name terms when we worked on A Forever Kind of Love, a couple of years back. Or would you prefer me to call you Ms Milan now?’

Ayesha winced. ‘This film isn’t the same as that one.’

‘You mean, I’m not the same,’ he said softly. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take my personal life out on my colleagues. You’re right—I haven’t been my normal self on set for a while now, and that isn’t fair to the rest of the crew. Let me know if I’ve upset anyone here, and I’ll have a quiet word with them and apologise tomorrow.’

Ayesha nodded. ‘Thank you, Luke. That makes things a bit easier.’

‘And I’ll try not to be such an idiot in future.’

That earned him a lick on his hand from Baloo, and Jess couldn’t help smiling.

Maybe she wasn’t doing the wrong thing, agreeing to help.

Maybe this was going to be just fine.

And maybe, she thought, Baloo was going to do them both a favour. Help them both move on from a difficult situation in the past.

‘Half past eight,’ he said to Jess.

She nodded. ‘Bring her water bowl, food bowl and whatever she eats during the day, a bed and some toys.’

‘Toys?’

‘Baloo, you need to take him shopping,’ Jess told the dog. ‘Something to chew is top priority.’

‘Not squeaky,’ Ayesha called over, ‘or you’ll drive me potty.’

Jess laughed. ‘There you go, Luke. Your mission, should you choose to accept it...’

He laughed back. ‘That’s about right. OK. Doggy toy shop it is, then. Come on, Baloo.’

CHAPTER TWO

AT HALF PAST seven the next morning, Jess was in the production office, running errands for Ayesha and sorting out all the things that needed to be done before rehearsals for the day started.

It still didn’t feel real that she was meeting Luke McKenzie this morning.

And she still wasn’t quite sure whether he was a genuinely nice guy who was struggling through a tough time, or arrogant, selfish and just playing Mr Nice Guy in order to get her to dog-sit for him.

Either way, she needed her head examining. Spending a day with a dog was the last thing she needed.

But at least today she was prepared. And she had every intention of making Luke McKenzie do some of the work.

At twenty-five past eight, he turned up with the dog and several bags. ‘Morning, Ayesha. Morning, Jess,’ he said as he walked through the door.

‘Morning, Luke,’ Ayesha said.

‘Good morning, Luke,’ Jess echoed. ‘And hello to you, Baloo.’

The dog wagged her tail madly and strained on her lead, pulling Luke along the length of the office to get to Jess, and then put her paws on Jess’s knee and licked her face.