Page 26 of Deck the Hauls

George handed it to me.

“Great. And...action!” Charles called.

Emily and Austin launched into their lines and I walked over and topped off Austin’s mug. Austin ignored me. I stepped over to Emily, leaning in to fill her mug. Our bodies were so close I could smell her now-familiar faintly floral scent. Focus on pouring the coffee. The last thing I needed was to ruin yet another scene by spilling coffee everywhere.

After I’d delivered their food, Charles called for the final shot.

“Remember, I want lots of chemistry,” he said, brushing a crumb off the table.

My chest tightened as I realized what this scene was. Emily was about to share a moment with Austin. Ugh. Did I have to hang around for this?

“Dana, you clear the plates in the background—just put them on the counter quietly—but leave their coffee.”

Damn it.

“And...action!”

“Thank you so much for your help. I’d better get back to the farm,” Emily said to Austin as I picked up their plates and took them to the counter.

Emily rose to her feet, took two steps, and then tripped toward Austin.

Austin caught her in one smooth motion, his arms wrapping around her waist.

They looked into each other’s eyes.

My chest tightened. Why was this so unpleasant to watch? Probably because Austin was clearly a sleaze. I looked away.

“Cut! Good work. Okay, we’re done here. Thanks everyone. And special thanks to George and Hannah for letting us film here. And to Dana for stepping in at the last minute.”

I removed the apron and handed it to one of the crew members. Emily was chatting with Austin, so I made my way back to my friends’ table. I exhaled as I sat down. Thank god that’s over.

“That was so much fun!” Olivia leaned forward, elbows on the table, grinning. “And you were awesome Dana!”

“I can’t wait to watch it,” Jenny said, picking up her coffee mug and peering in. “Hopefully we make the final cut. Oooh, we should have a viewing party!”

Austin guided Emily toward the front door with a hand on her elbow. By the time the movie came out, Emily would be long gone. How would I feel about watching the movie? It would be interesting to see Sapphire Springs and the farm, but I could do without spending more time with Austin—in real life or on TV—and having more Christmas shoved down my throat. I hadn’t watched a Christmas movie since Kelsey and I broke up.

Emily shook Austin off and changed direction. Was she walking toward our table?

She was. My chest lightened, a smile springing to my face.

“Great work, Grumpy Waitress,” she said, grinning back at me. “All our practice paid off. I’ll see you later?”

My heart did a strange jumpy thing.

Oh god. Was I... Was I developing feelings for Emily?

“Yeah, see you then,” I said, my mouth suddenly dry.

I watched Emily walk toward the door, her wavy hair bouncing. Her butt looked incredible in the dark navy jeans she was wearing.

Oh no.

No wonder I didn’t like watching her and Austin together. And why I’d taken such a strong dislike to Austin.

I definitely found her attractive. Even before I’d met her, I’d thought her character in Harrowgate was hot. And now I’d gotten to know her, I also liked her sense of humor, how seriously she took acting and the way her smile lit up her whole face. But until now, I hadn’t thought my attraction was romantic.

Shit.