The Last Take

by Tabitha Bree

  It’s a fricking fairytale.

  “What’s going on?” I finally say, turning to face him. “What is all this?”

  “It’s my way of saying sorry.”

  “This is how you say sorry?” I snort. “Wait, what are you sorry for?”

  Adam smiles and grabs my hands, and that’s when I know he’s nervous. He’s trembling.

  “Are you okay?”

  He grins at me. “Classic Evie, always concerned about everyone else.”

  “Well, your paws are a bit clammy there, son,” I say, wiping one of my hands on my shorts. “What, did you join a gang since we last spoke? Shoot a man and throw him with the fishes?”

  “Will you just let me talk?” he laughs. “I wanted to say sorry… for everything. I’m sorry for not believing you straight away with Damon, I’m sorry for listening to Kylie, I’m sorry for freezing you out—”

  “Kylie? What—”

  “—it doesn’t matter now. Just… I’m sorry. I’m not good at this… interpersonal stuff. I don’t know how to react, and I don’t know how to talk about my feelings.”

  “Okay…” I say, frowning, and still very confused. “So, you brought me to fairyland?”

  Adam drops one of my hands, but keeps the other one entwined in his. We walk like that through the set, the fake moss soft under our feet.

  “I wanted to show you I can do this. All this… expression stuff. Maybe cheesy isn’t so bad.” He picks a tulip, which is pulled from the fake ground, almost like a real flower. “Maybe it’s time I tell you how I really feel.”

  He turns and faces me, holding out the flower.

  “Evie Miller, you’re incredible. You’re crazy and goofy and smart and beautiful, and I think you might be the kindest, most real person I know. I genuinely didn’t think humans like you existed, but here you are.”

  He drops his head to the floor, but then smiles.

  “Wearing your bright yellow rain boots in Los Angeles where it literally never rains.”

  “They’re cute,” I squeak, which is all I can manage right now.

  He inhales, his chest rising underneath his flannel.

  “I’m sorry for being an idiot these past couple of weeks. I should’ve known you better… but to be honest, I think it’s because I knew you better I made excuses to put a wedge between us.”

  He looks at me with pain in his eyes.

  “Why?” I whisper, my chest heavy with trapped air.

  “Because I think you’re perfect. And getting a chance with you and then losing you… I think it would kill me.” His deep brown eyes bore into mine. “But I don’t care about that anymore, because I know I’d be a moron to risk never knowing how it might’ve turned out. I can see myself spending my life with you, Evie. I can see you living in my empty condo, with all your colors and your terrifying cat portrait.”

  I laugh, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye.

  “I love you. I’ve been in love with you. And I think you should know.”

  “Well…” I clear my throat, taking a deep breath “… I appreciate you telling me.”

  I drop his hand.

  And walk across the set.

  “What?”

  I turn back and see the look on his face, and burst out laughing.

  “I’m only kidding, you goofus!”

  I run back to him and jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist to get as close to him as physically possible. Our mouths crush together, and his hands tighten around my waist. I break my lips away, just long enough to say what I need to say.

  “I love you too, you big old grump.”

  He laughs and I see a tear roll down his cheek, and I kiss him again. And somewhere inside me, I know I would be happy kissing him every day for the rest of my life.

  36

  Evie

  8 months later

  I look up at the big square archway and have to pinch myself.

  Holy cow, I’m actually here.

  Everywhere I turn, I see a new celebrity, smiling at the paparazzi and making their way inside to watch the film.

  Our film.

  A huge banner hangs under the arches, a flaming depiction of our leading man and a bunch of CGI animals. It’s Gus in the picture, and he looks every bit the shining star. Damon has dropped off the face of the earth since his meltdown, which was uploaded by one of the makeup assistants and went viral. I don’t blame him for hiding.

  Iron fencing blocks the area off, guarded by muscle men who watch the screaming, cheering fans on the other side.

  This is it. We worked hard and stayed overtime on set and now we are here, enjoying the glitz and the glamor of showbiz. People are finally going to see what we made, and I. Can. Not. Deal. I’m so happy, I want to spaz out right here on the red carpet.

  But I can’t do that.

  Because I’m a professional.

  “You’re doing that goofy break dance move in your head, aren’t you?” Adam says, giving me the side eye.

  “With level-ten energy and jazz hands.” I grin at him. “How could you have ever been not keen on doing this film? This is epic!”

  “It all worked out considerably better than I thought it would.” His lips curl up in a soft smile, and he tenderly squeezes my hand.

  “Hey lovers!” Brian appears beside us. “Wow, you’re actually here. Surprised you made it out of the love nest!”

  Adam’s smile immediately fades. “Brian, get away from us.”

  “What he means to say” I hold up my hand “is love the support for us. Hate the creepy undertones.”

  “Ha!” Brian pats us both on the shoulder. “I love you guys. And hey, I hear congratulations are in order?” He looks at me with raised eyebrows. “Getting recruited by Nolan Smith himself, very impressive!”

  “Impeccable problem-solving skills and dedication to the project, were his exact words when he made the offer, I believe,” Adam says, smiling down at me. “And they couldn’t be truer.”

  “Well, what can I say.” I swish my hair over my shoulder. “But I might make him sweat a while longer. I feel like he has a better offer up his sleeve.”

  Brian grins. “Playing hardball, I like it.”

  “A girl after my own heart.”

  We all turn and see Dee, looking like a movie star in a floor-length green dress. It makes her eyes sparkle like emeralds.

  “You’re one to talk,” Adam says. “Mrs. First AD.”

  “That’s Miss First AD to you,” she says with a smirk. “This rising star isn’t tied down by no one. But the contracts aren’t final yet, let’s hope the film goes through. Just what we need, right? Another pirate movie.”

  “Word on the street is you’re in luck,” Adam replies with a knowing nod.

  Brian looks like he’s seen the ghost of Marilyn Monroe, resurrected from her hand prints. “Whoa, Dee… can I just say…”

  She turns and puts her hand on her hip, raising her eyebrow.

  “… that you’re incredibly talented, and any production would be lucky to have you on their team.”

  Dee downturns her mouth in surprise. “Thank you, Brian.”

  “And you look smoking hot in that dress.”

  “Brian!” the three of us chorus in unison, before all bursting into laughter.

  “Shall we do this shit?” Dee says, motioning towards the grand entrance.

  We file through the monumental building and find our seats and my insides are buzzing. Maybe Adam didn’t give me an unfair leg up professionally, but it is a nice bonus that being his girlfriend means a ticket to the premiere. Usually PAs don’t get to go, though I’m surprised Kylie didn’t scheme her way in. Not that she even made it till the end of production. Dee made sure of that. While trying to destroy my reputation and career, Kylie flushed hers right down the toilet.

  Isn’t life funny like that?

  Once we’re settled, I find a few friendly faces around the room. Gus is in the center, next to the strapping man he came with. He
looks at me and grins, doing the shaka symbol with his hand. A couple rows away from him is George and Elsa, both, I’m warmed to see, are looking very well. Walking in, wearing a very expensive looking suit, is Nolan. He and Adam exchange cordial nods as he passes with a supermodel on his arm.

  I feel my phone buzz in my pocket and take a peek before it starts.

  Mom: Enjoy tonight, sweetheart. You earned it x

  I smile while I read it. My parents are almost as excited for the premiere as I am. We told them all about it last week at dinner. I’m happy to say Adam’s subsequent dinners with them have gone better than the first.

  “It’s starting!” Dee stage whispers behind me and I stash my phone away, biting my lip. Adam squeezes my hand and we share a long, tender look before fixing our eyes on the big screen.

  It’s difficult to describe; the feeling of all our hard work playing out before our eyes in one polished piece. Seeing it here in high definition, it makes it really real.

  I did it.

  I’ve been waiting for this feeling forever, and it’s made all the more special by the man sitting next to me. This dream, I couldn’t have dreamt up even if I tried. We faced complications and misunderstandings, and maybe it took us until the last take, but we figured it all out, and we are even better for it. And now, the only drama left is the one playing out on the big screen in front of us, and it’s quite an entertaining show.

  I discreetly watch Adam. Every time the audience laughs or cheers or claps, his face glows with that smile. That darn smile I love so much. When the film ends, I’m filled with a new excitement as the credits start to roll. And much sooner than I expected, there it is.

  Evie Miller – Production Coordinator

  “I never did thank you for that little promotion,” I whisper to Adam.

  “Don’t worry… you can thank me later.” He grins.

  I nudge him in the ribs, but know that I definitely will. I can barely keep my hands off the man.

  Our eyes stay on each other, and his grin settles into a pensive smile. “You know this wouldn’t have happened without you, right?” he says, holding my hand between his. “You changed my life.”

  I lean forward and press my lips against his, ignoring the catcalls from Brian and Dee behind us. But I have to admit, it’s lovely not to hide this from anyone anymore. In fact, I want to shout it from the rooftops.

  I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it.

  I break away, but keep my face only a couple of inches from his.

  “We’re only just getting started.”

  Also by Tabitha Bree

  Seeking Series

  Seeking a Plus One (Book 1)

  Seeking Mr. Right (Book 2)

  Seeking Forever (Book 3)

  Standalones

  Rules of a Breakup

  About the Author

  Tabitha Bree is an author, crafter, and sometimes yoga instructor based in Melbourne, Australia. A long-time fan of romantic comedies, she is happiest (and most neurotic) when creating worlds for her fictional lovers to frolic in.

  If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Reviews are life and are very much appreciated!

  Check out her author site and sign up to her newsletter for the latest promos, book updates and new releases.

  Acknowledgments

  It’s always scary releasing a new book, especially a new series. So if you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading The Last Take and jumping on this new adventure with me! I’m really excited to introduce you to some new, fun, sweet wacky characters.

  Creating a new world isn’t glamorous business, so thank you to Rishton for accepting me in all my unwashed hair, dressing gown, haven’t moved from my laptop all day glory. And also for pretending to be excited when I hit my word targets for the day.

  And finally, for all my readers, old and new, for taking a chance on a new author. This is book five, but I still feel like a rookie most of the time. So thank you for reading my silly words and reaching out on social media. I love connecting with you all!

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © Tabitha Bree 2021

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organizations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

  Cover design by Tabitha Bree