Page 242 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

"There is justonething I regret," Nash added.

"And what's that?" Ellie asked, noting the playful smirk on his lips.

"I regret not auditioning for Trigger’s part." He cupped a hand and rammed his other fist into it. “Freaking James Marsh.”

"Don't worry,” she said, “James isn’t nearly as good a kisser as you are."

Nash’s expression fell flat a moment before he raised a questioning brow.

"Fake This," Ellie said, reminding him of the movie they’d starred in together.

His expression turned perplexed. “Wait, there were other people in that movie? BecauseIonly remember you."

"Well, trust me,” Ellie assured, “no matter what the kissing scenes are like with Trigger, I'll only rememberyou, too."

Soon, they were on the set, which was a mere twenty minutes away from the hotel. The producers had secured a historical farmhouse; the interior had cleverly been divided into several indoor locations, the largest part representing Trigger’s home.A portion of the basement was designed to look like a music studio, and the back wing portrayed the humble trailer where a struggling Melody lived.

Since the property featured farmland, barns, and stables complete with livestock, the space was equipped for ninety percent of the scenes they'd shoot for this movie.

"This place is amazing," Nash said as he toured the grounds with her, meeting random co-stars of hers along the way. "I never knew people in the business were so…efficient."

"They have to be," Ellie said. "They’re working with the most valuable asset of all—time."

The comment caused Nash to slow.

Ellie glanced over her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Nash only shook his head and stepped back in stride with her. "Nothing, I just haven’t heard anyone put it that way before. About time being the most valuable asset."

Ellie shrugged. "Well, isn't it?"

"It definitely is." He gave her hand a squeeze, pulling her into him and brushing a kiss over her lips.

They made their way through a wide field, passing several crew members with cameras, lights, and props. Ellie kept an eye out for her dad. So far, he was nowhere to be found.

"Well,” she said, the set putting her mind in work mode. “I'm going to have to go sit down for wardrobe and makeup, and you don’t want to be there for that.”

“Yeah, yeah, Wyatt and Wade are waiting for me anyway. We’re going to play some baseball.”

She eyed him from the cowboy hat on his head to the weathered boots on his feet. “And is this the getup you plan to wear for said sport?” she asked.

Nash shook his head and grinned. “Nope. They’ll have stuff I can change into.”

Ellie pictured Nash suited up in a uniform, a ballcap shading his hazel eyes while he reared up the bat. A blush rose to her cheeks. “Have them get pictures of you, will you?”

“I will not,” he said with a laugh. “Guys don’t do that.”

She chuckled, her pace slowing as the trailer drew near. “Well, while you turn from cowboy to shortstop,” she said, proving she knew her positions, “the makeup gods will turn me into Melody on the outside, andI’llbe transforming on the inside.”

“What does that look like for you?” Nash asked.

“Well, I’ll get right into her head. I concentrate on what she wants and what’s holding her back; I put myself in her shoes and just sit with the emotions it brings. Then, I try not to let anything distract me as I make my way to the set. Once I’ve got it in my head, I imagine that that’s exactly who I am. In this case, a country singer with a rough upbringing and a sky-high dream.”

She grinned at Nash and gave his hand a squeeze. “How about you come see my trailer before you leave?” At the suggestion, Ellie imagined the purple flowers she was used to seeing on the set. Would they be there today?

“Sounds good to me,” Nash agreed.

“Hi, Ellie!” came a sweet-sounding voice from behind.