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microphone closer to her dark lips. “I’m here to share my interview with screen actor Garrett Campbell. If we’re lucky, hopefully, he’ll tell us a little bit about what it’s like to work with his best friend, the notoriously private Caspian Thaymore.”
    The scene changed, showing the reporter sitting on a barstool chatting with Garrett. “What’s Caspian like?”
    “Great fun.” Garrett’s Scottish accent came through the speakers.
    “Are you sure he’s not attached?”
    Ashley felt someone behind her and looked back. Caz.
    His gaze was on the screen.
    Garrett said, “Oh no, and he could use some cheering up. A way to drown his tears.”
    “I may have just the friend to provide the tissue.” The reporter touched him on the arm and leaned in. “Are you guys here with your parents?”
    Garrett seemed smitten. “We’re on our own. I doubt his parents would be here together anyway. They’re splitting up, you know.”
    Ashley glanced at Caz.
    The muscle ticked in his jaw and his fists clenched.
    ***
    They broke early that afternoon, and Ashley was eager to get home and try out the new Chinese recipe Marissa sent. She could never get Chinese recipes to taste like takeout, but was determined to keep trying. She’d get the stuff for the new dish and pick up ingredients to make Caz’s snacks. After winding a last heavy cable, she hung it on the wall and rolled her shoulders back. Time to go home.
    Caz stood not too far away, arguing with his tall agent, and the concerned- looking AD hovered nearby. No peace for the wicked.
    Even though she kept her gaze on the exit and walked with fast steps, Caz snagged her arm when she passed, pulling her into the conversation.
    His agent said, “They promised an artistic photo shoot, and you agreed to pose.” She patted her pocket as if looking for a cigarette.
    Caz shook his head. “I agreed to do press after filming, not during. I should be concentrating on my next scene, practicing my lines.”
    His agent shrugged and tapped her foot. “You signed the contract. You’re committed.” She handed Ashley her coffee cup. Ashley stared down at the smelly, empty container.
    The AD bounced on the balls of his feet, anxious to please. “We’ve wrapped for today. You do what you need to do, and we’ll send someone to run lines with you.”
    When photo opportunities emerged, Petra had bionic hearing. She waved at them from her spot on the stage and strolled over. Her ruby-laden belt rolled lower against her hips with each step. “I can be there. I’m already made up, and I have a great relationship with most photographers in town. Only last week, I shot with Rae Frost, you know Rae, right, Rae is famous, after all, well I—”
    Ashley wiggled the coffee cup at Caz and smirked.
    “PA.” Caz quirked an eyebrow. “Go with me.”
    Ashley shook her head in refusal. She had a ton of things to do other than babysit him.
    Petra pouted and curled against Caz’s side. She batted her eyelashes until she caught sight of her reflection in a pole, then she went over to the makeup mirror to smooth her hair.
    Caz didn’t seem to mind that she left. Talkative must not be his type, Ashley thought and wondered if he had a type. Maybe if he had a girlfriend around to cater to some of his whims, she would have more time to help other crew. She was quickly getting a reputation as “Caz’s PA,” and the title wasn’t winning her any friends. “Couldn’t Olive—”
    The AD said, “Olive, over here.”
    Olive pounded her small frame over to them, swinging a hammer in her hand. “How can I help?”
    Caz shook his head. “Ashley’s got this.”
    The AD let out a forceful breath. He shoved a script at Ashley. “Pull the car around.”
    The man obviously saved his coddling tone for the actors.
    The agent looked between Olive and Ashley. “I really need that coffee.” Her voice was apologetic but insistent.
    The AD snagged the cup from Ashley and handed it to Olive. “Get her a