AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ashlyn shook her head one more time. “I’m really fine, thanks.”
“I insist. Please.”
Ashlyn reluctantly took the big yellow towel and wrapped it around her. It was warm, and it felt nice. It also gave her a chance to fix her clothing from clinging to her. She waited a few minutes, taking her time drying off. She wasn’t quite ready to see the last of this gentleman.
“Maybe you should come and be an extra on set,” Ashlyn suggested, her stomach feeling fluttery. It was not as though she was asking him on a date, but that was sure what it felt like. She didn’t know how to handle a rejection or an acceptance. “They will take pretty much anyone if you come in about two days around nine in the morning.”
“Where would I go?”
Ashlyn gave Brandon the directions. “I don’t really know the requirements, but I know that they like to have a good mix of people.”
“It sounds like a fun opportunity. Do I get paid?”
Ashlyn shook her head. “No, extras just get the fun of being in the film.”
“Does it give me a chance to possibly get a higher role?”
Ashlyn shrugged as she remembered Javon. “Honestly, I don’t know. Sometimes, extras are given small speaking parts. I guess you never know where fate might take you.” She paused and slowly pulled the towel off her shoulders and handed it to Brandon. “I hope to see you there.”
Brandon smiled. “I just might take you up on that offer. Do you need to be walked back to your accommodations?”
Ashlyn looked up the beach then back at Brandon. He was a kind man, but she couldn’t keep him from his drive.
“I’ll be just fine. I enjoy time by myself to just think sometimes, you know?” Ashlyn wondered if her comment would make him think that he wasn’t welcome, but Ashlyn was just speaking the truth. She was tired of evaluating her every action in how it must appear to a male. “If you ever want to come by just to hang out, we’re usually not filming in the evenings.”
Brandon nodded. “Thanks for the invite.” Ashlyn took a step away. “Thanks for the save too.” Ashlyn smiled at him before she turned and walked away.
Chapter Two
Ashlyn didn’t know if she should even expect Brandon to show up, but there was a small part of her that hoped he would. During their first day, they blocked off one end of the beach and filmed an intimate scene between the main two characters. Ashlyn enjoyed the scene, because the words from both characters gave her hope for a future filled with love.
That evening, Brandon did not come by. Ashlyn had showered as soon as they were done filming and changed into something that was semi-nice, but she didn’t want anyone to know if Brandon didn’t come, so she tried to occupy herself with a book and pretend that she wasn’t waiting for anyone. She couldn’t hide her disappointment though as she climbed into bed at 12:00am and Brandon still hadn’t shown up. She held the same hope for the following night, but Brandon did not show up then either.
The next morning, she had dark bags under her eyes from not sleeping well. And of course, that was when Brandon showed up for the extras casting. Ashlyn saw Brandon, and she waved to him as he was corralled around with the extras. He waved back, but they didn’t have an opportunity to talk. Ashlyn wondered if there was some way she could put in a good word for him, or if after letting the camera take a spill in the woods, it was better for her not to say anything. Gary still was not very happy with Ashlyn.
Pamela approached Ashlyn. “Do you know that extra? He seems to be smiling your way an awful lot.”
“Which one is it?” Ashlyn asked, not wanting to do anything to indicate that they were talking about Brandon.
“He’s got dark, longish hair, looks like some sort of beach bum.”
Ashlyn laughed. “Yeah, I met him the other day on the beach. That is an interesting story. I’ll have to tell it to you later.”
Pamela laughed. “Ashlyn, you always have an interesting story. Your life is never boring like the rest of ours where we just work, eat, and sleep without any fun in the middle.”
Ashlyn smiled, knowing her friends’ words were true. “Yeah, except with that guy, his name is Brandon, I really think he’s a gem. He’s a gentleman to begin with. He has that whole Southern charm thing going for him. I might see if he can hang out at the beach house after filming. Let me know what you think of him.”
“Now, you want my opinion,” Pamela gave Ashlyn a serious look. “I thought you could navigate these waters by yourself.”
Ashlyn shrugged. “Maybe I can, but I don’t know. I think Brandon may really be a good guy for once.”
Pamela shrugged. “Invite him over. See how he does with groups. It’s hard to get a true perspective of a guy when you’re the only one observing him.”
Ashlyn agreed and repeated her effort to invite Brandon over. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted it to happen. As soon as they were done filming for the day, Ashlyn hurried over and invited Brandon to the beach house. She didn’t want to sound desperate, but she really didn’t want him to turn her down. That would be a true indication that he was not interested in her.
“Hey, what are your plans for the night?” Ashlyn asked.
“I don’t have any plans,” Brandon replied. “I’m a pretty boring guy, remember?”
