His Larkville Cinderella

Chas leaned forward. “Krystal Kohl is at a rehab facility in Tucson. Her role is being recast.”

No one gasped. No one said a word, but an uncomfortable silence fell over the table.

Eva stared at the costume designs with a blank face.

The two wardrobe people looked at each other, but their expressions didn’t change.

Megan stood at the bar arranging glasses and pitchers, trying to appear disinterested. She might be a “newbie,” as Adam had called her, but this couldn’t be good news with filming scheduled to start next week.

She looked at Adam to see his reaction.

His posture hadn’t changed. He sipped from his glass of water, as if the news of his leading lady being replaced at the last minute wasn’t a big deal. It didn’t seem to be except …

A muscle pulsed at his jaw.

Not as immune as the others appeared to be. He wasn’t happy about the role being recast.

“A lot of work went into casting Krystal as Calliope,” Adam said. “This isn’t some summer blockbuster flick, but a serious drama.”

Chas nodded. “We know the caliber of talent needed for the role.”

Adam leaned back in his chair. “Who are you thinking about as a replacement?”

“Lane Gregory,” Damon said. The award-winning actress was the only child of two movie stars and America’s sweetheart. “We’ve worked together before. Very professional. She can step in at the last minute without a lot of prep.”

“She’s older than Krystal,” Adam said.

“Yes,” Damon admitted. “Lane brings a different level of maturity to Calliope.”

Adam straightened. “She’s accepted the role.”

It wasn’t a question. The tension lacing each of his words surprised Megan. She loved Lane Gregory, way more than Krystal Kohl. Lane had the reputation of being nice and down-to-earth. Maybe those qualities weren’t what Adam wanted in his next movie-set fling.

The thought of him with the talented actress left a bitter taste in Megan’s mouth. Lane was too sweet for a man like Adam. But what happened between the two actors was none of Megan’s business. Neither was the discussion they were having now. She wiped the bar where condensation had dripped off the pitchers.

Damon nodded.

Tight lines bracketed Eva’s mouth. “Krystal is tall and thin. Lane is short and curvy. We’re going to have to rethink everything, including the dinner gown.”

“You have until Tuesday,” Damon said.

Eva’s startled gaze darted from the director to Chas. “What?”

“We have no leeway in the schedule,” the producer admitted. “Adam is committed to another project after this.”

Adam nodded.

“The other talent has commitments, too.” Damon flashed the designer a big smile. “No worries. You’ve done this before, Eva. And won awards.”

“I have.” Eva shot a pointed look at the two wardrobe people, who pulled out their cell phones and started texting furiously. “I will again. But it’s either going to kill the costume department or they’ll want to kill me.”

“Don’t they already?” Adam teased.

Chas and Damon smiled. The two wardrobe people pressed their lips together as if not to agree with the actor. Megan felt herself nodding and ducked behind the bar to grab some napkins before Eva saw her.

“Tell us what you need,” Chas said to the designer. “It’s yours.”

“You don’t have the budget for what I need,” Eva said.

Megan stood.

Adam waved his empty glass at her. “Refill, please.”

She grabbed the water pitcher with lemon slices floating on top. As she stood next to Adam refilling his glass, awareness hummed through her. All that bare skin and muscle was hard to ignore. She wanted to touch him and see if he was as strong as he looked.

No, she didn’t.

The guy needed to put on a shirt. And pants. Long ones.

She tightened her grip on the pitcher’s handle.

“There goes your weekend,” Adam said to her. “Mine, too.”

Megan stared at him, confused. His clear, warm green eyes weren’t helping matters. He had to be wearing contacts. She realized he was still talking to her. “What?”

“There will be a mad dash to get costumes for Lane. That means extra fittings and alterations,” he explained. “Some of my clothes will change, too, since they were designed to go with Krystal’s.”

“Oh.” Not the most intelligent response, but that was the only thing that came to mind as she looked at him. Darn the man with his hard, hot body, killer smile and amazing eyes. “I didn’t think I’d have a lot of free time until after filming ended.”

If she was still here then …

That burst of reality helped her regain her focus. She checked everyone’s glasses so Eva wouldn’t think she was slacking off. Or worse, swooning. No one else needed more to drink.

“You won’t have much time,” Adam said. “But the experience you gain during the shoot will be worth it.”

Megan didn’t know why he was talking to her. He must be bored because the others were busy. Unless he’d taken a fall out on the water and whacked his head on his surfboard. That was the only other logical explanation for the attention he was giving her. “Do you want me to get you anything else?”

Wicked laughter lit his eyes. “I can think of a few things …”

Megan inhaled sharply. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

“Be careful with what you offer around here, Texas.” Adam spoke with a low voice so others wouldn’t overhear.

The nickname bristled again. She was happy to have escaped Larkville, but she didn’t hate the town. Okay, maybe a part of her did. But she missed a few things—her nephew, Brady, the yummy chocolate milkshakes and greasy fries at Gracie May’s Diner, her dad’s horse Storm and, of course, Rob. Megan missed him the most.

“Someone will take you up on it,” Adam continued.

What was going on? He’d made fun of her on the walk to the house. Now he was cautioning her. That made zero sense. Then again, maybe things in Hollywood weren’t supposed to add up the way they did back home. “I’ll be more careful.”