Behind the Scenes

Chapter 7

KATE

Sliding into the comfortable leather seat, I did my best to appear cool, collected and confident. The three C's, according to Ashley's pep talk that morning, were imperative for my first official day on set in any true capacity. The last three days had been spent mostly in meetings, touring the set, familiarizing myself with what would be my home for the next couple of months, and trying to rein in my wayward nerves. It was all very informal, all very chill. But today was the day that everyone got down to business, and that business was starting now bright and early with the first official table read with the main cast members.

The purpose of this, according to the producers who had been nice enough to give me a run down on what was to come, was to see how the actors worked together, see how they brought their respective characters alive, and make any needed changes to the script with improv and their suggestions. It was an ever changing process, each day molding things into what would become the final product. Television production was not nearly as stagnant as I originally thought.

I was up with the sun that morning, far too nervous to actually sleep. After laying in bed for at least an hour after the pale blue light of dawn broke through the New York City horizon, I finally gave up on finding rest and decided to let off some of my pent up energy. I left Ashley still snoring in her bed next to mine, slipping on my workout gear and heading out onto the streets.

There was nothing more therapeutic to me than running. Popping in my ear buds, drowning out the world with the blaring music, and feeling my body come alive as my feet met the pavement was cathartic, and I needed the calming effects even more than I needed the exercise.

As much as running through the streets of the city made me feel exhilarated, sitting at the table now felt like all that energy had just built right back up again. So far, it was just me, the screen writer, two producers and Steven sitting around a large table in the middle of one of the nearby meeting rooms off set. Everyone was chatting casually, so completely at ease with their surroundings, I had to constantly chant the three C's to maintain any form of composure over my raging anxiety. Today was when everything really started.

Not to mention that today was also the first day I would be seeing Harry again since our previous, less than palatable encounters. The three C's were definitely going to be needed when facing off with him yet again.

"So, are you excited?" one of the producers, Stephanie, asked, gaining my attention.

I tried to force a smile. "I am. But to be honest, I'm pretty nervous too."

To this, she merely laughed. "Don't be. Everything feels hectic all the time, but in reality we all have this down to an art. Your job right now is to help with any changes to the script that come up, and feel free to point out anything you think is too off course. Your fans love this story, and we want to try and stick as close to it as possible."

I nodded with appreciation, silently thanking her for the little pep talk. I knew the tam we had was amazing, and I was unbelievably fortunate. I suppose it was like anything new, that it would take time to adjust, then finally everything would fall into place.

The door to the room opened then, and in walked a familiar figure. Tall, muscular and captivating, my eyes turned to him like traitors to his gravitational pull. His dark hair was spilling over his forehead in casual disarray that still looked perfectly coiffed, his green eyes accessing the room casually. He was the epitome of the three stupid, useless C's, and I hated him for it.

Before I could look away, Harry's gaze met mine. I felt like a deer trapped in the gaze of a wolf, wanting to look away but unable. Harry smiled the charming smile I had committed to memory, and my stomach tightened like the turncoat it was. I watched as he approached the table, before finally breaking my eyes away from him to turn back to Stephanie. I opened my mouth to speak to her, desperate to start a casual conversation, but I wasn't quick enough. To my surprise, Harry slid into the empty seat beside me, setting his copy of the script on the table.