Page 44 of Cast to be Mine

But this was different. This was Grace.

Jack took his position against the metal beam, his hands behind his back in the ropes that were very real. He looked every inch the action hero. Muscles straining against his too-tight shirt, jaw set with determination. The kind of guy women swooned over.

The kind of guy Grace was about to kiss.

I felt something ugly twist in my chest. Jealousy. Pure, irrational, completely inappropriate jealousy.

I wanted to say we were cutting the kiss. Did we really need it? We could do the whole fade out before their lips touched. Figure out how to restructure the scene to convey the emotional moment. The integrity of the movie could survive without this particular kiss.

“Micah,” Toby interrupted my thoughts.

I turned and saw Chantilly beelining for me with fury in her eyes.

“Listen, pal, my husband won’t be kissing anyone,” she snapped.

“Excuse me?”

“No. Kissing.”

“Why?” I asked, looking to Toby for explanation.

“It’s in his contract,” Chantilly said, raising her chin. “I insisted on it when we got married.”

“No one told me any of that,” I said. “It’s in the fucking script.”

I had no idea why I was arguing against something I actually agreed with her on. It was the principle of the matter. My movie.

“He isn’t kissing her,” she hissed.

My hands immediately went into my hair. And then I got an idea that might save Jack, Chantilly, me, and the movie.

“What if you do the kiss?” I said. “We put a wig on you to match Grace’s hair. Put you in the same clothes. We’ll reposition the cameras to hide your face. I’m not going to pay you or credit you, but that’s the only option. And you need to understand Jack already signed a contract.”

She rolled her eyes. “And we both know he could get out of it.”

“Babe?” Jack asked from where he stood against the beam.

“Fine,” Chantilly said.

“Makeup!” I called out. “Wardrobe!”

Five people descended and whisked Chantilly away.

She returned wearing an outfit identical to Grace. She was a little taller, but we’d fix that later. I nodded in approval. She stood beside me while Grace and Jack went through the rescue scene. I called cut and gestured for her to take Grace’s spot.

“Think it’ll work?” Grace whispered from beside me.

“Absolutely.”

“Thank God,” she said with a sigh. “I’m so glad I didn’t have to kiss him. I don’t think I’m good enough to pretend I like it.”

I laughed. “Understandable. You two are like oil and water.”

Which I was perfectly okay with.

“When we shoot my side of the kiss, will you be standing in for Jack? Basically the same build. Easy enough to put a wig on you.”

I almost choked on my own spit.