Page 24 of Run to Me

He runs his palms along the plastic bib he’s wearing to protect his plaid shirt from makeup powder. “Are you this nice to all the actors?”

“Only my favorites,” I say, keeping my hand steady as I touch up the corner of his lower eyelid.

He smirks. “So I’m a favorite.” When my sarcastic comment registers, he loses the smirk and grumbles. “I’d hate to see you when you’re in a bad mood.”

“Yes, you would. Now be quiet and sit still so I can finish.” I swap the pencil for a tube of lipstick and a lip brush.

“I hate lipstick,” he says without moving his mouth, unable to form the consonants. “It makes my throat scratchy.”

All of my makeup is hypoallergenic, so the scratchy throat is his problem, not mine.

“You’re not supposed to eat it. Pucker up and let’s get this done.”

As I’m putting the final touches on Harmon’s makeup, my cell phone buzzes. I turn my back on him, dismissing him from the trailer, and unlock the screen.

Tate

I’m doing the show.

Me

What show?

Tate

At Bruno’s in two weeks.

Dammit. She’ll expect me to be there, and I won’t be able to make excuses if Graham decides he wants to go. Fingers crossed, he won’t.

Graham

Yes! Comeback kid! I’ll be there!

Dammit. Again. And why is Graham texting from the set? He should be working right now.

Me

Sounds fun.

Tate

Uh oh. Maisy said the F-word.

She’s either lying or gravely ill.

Graham

I heard there’s a mega virus going around.

Tate

Really? I haven’t heard anything about it.

Me