A Thousand Times

Chapter Twelve: Get Under to Get Over

Monday morning came faster than Liya expected. While she wasn't able to get much rest with the idea of seeing Nate again, looming in the back of her mind, she finally came to terms with her decision. She would go to the party—be the adult, be civil—and afterward, move on with her life. It was that simple.

Thankful that she had a whole month to prepare her nerves, and that Kat agreed to accompany her to the party, she exhaled and hopped out of bed, preparing her mind for another grueling day on the set.

Making her way out of the house, in record time, she found herself pulling into a parking space at Reverie Studios, with a temporary sign marked 'Aaliyah Richards'.

Pausing for a moment, she sat alone with her hands clutching the steering wheel. Her mind replayed some random night in his arms. It was surreal. She could actually feel the graze of his stubbled chin as he nibbled on her earlobe and tasted the salty sweetness of his skin as he slowly rocked them to paradise.

"I miss sex." She breathed slowly as the subtle tapping on her window brought her out of her fantasy.

"Good morning, Ms. Richards." A thick Cuban accent spoke as the smiling face of Jonah Pérez stared back at her.

"Jonah," she forced herself out of the car. "What are you doing here so early?"

"I could ask you the same question." He teased with a seductive smile. "I like getting to the set early. It gives me a chance to go over my lines some more, and I get first dibs in wardrobe and makeup."

"Oh." She smiled as she locked her car and started walking.

"What about you? What brings you here so early this morning?"

"Oh," she sighed as she suppressed an image of Nate holding her in his arms as he attempted to draw a heart on the window of her old apartment. "Nothing. Just excited, I guess."

Jonah gave her a puzzled look as he walked in step with her.

"What?" She smiled.

"You are a hard person to figure out, Aaliyah Richards.

"I am?"

"Yes. Just when I think I've got you pegged, you turn around and surprise me."

"I guess I like keeping people on their toes." She laughed off her feeling of discomfort as Jonah's green eyes pierced a hole into her soul.

"I will have to keep that in mind." He strolled off toward wardrobe with his arms behind his back and a smile on his handsome face.

The sight of Jonah's firm backside, in those tight faded jeans, made her think about Kat's advice.

'The best way to get over one guy is to get under another one.'

"Damn," she whispered. "If I don't get some soon, I'm gonna bust!"

*****

 The schedule for the day was grueling. Luckily, the actors remembered all their lines and Warren was satisfied with only a few retakes. At the rate things were going, he would probably wrap up early for the day and Liya could get home at a decent time.

Disappointed that Kat had bailed on her for a day at the beach, she planned on a quiet night alone. Hopefully, there would be no interruptions, no drama. Her heart couldn't take anymore.

As the cast and crew members slowly made their way onto the set and went about the business of film making, Liya found herself seated in a quiet corner, jotting down ideas for her newest book. Before she knew it, Warren was barking over the bullhorn for everyone to take their places, and the madness had begun.

As one hour blended into four, then eight, Liya found herself thinking about Warren's words—everything on her ached. She was thankful that she was closer to the day's end than she had been this morning.

Glancing at the daily schedule, she noticed Jonah was in this next scene. When she looked up and saw him walk onto the set—wearing nothing but baby oil and torn shorts—her thoughts must have been transparent because she quickly caught Warren's attention.

"Close your mouth, Boo. Keep it professional. Remember?"

"Yeah, professional." She swallowed hard as Jonah's eyes locked with hers.

"Ok, places people!" Warren barked as everyone on the set fell silent and the actors stood on their marks.

"This is the last scene of the day. I am exhausted as I am sure you all are, so let's run through this quickly. Jonah, your character is being initiated into the Everon Klan. He is torn between duty and love. His duty to his family to take his rightful place in the Klan, and the fact that this now makes him a sworn enemy to the family of his lady love. Are we ready?"

Jonah nodded, a stern look on his face—making him appear even more attractive.

Once the set was quiet and the crew was ready to shoot, Warren called out, "Action!"

When the scene began, Liya couldn't help but feel of sense of pride. Jonah's performance was perfect, reassuring her that her decision to cast him in the leading role was the right one.

After a couple of retakes, Warren called out, "Cut! That's a wrap, people. Tomorrow's scene will be an evening shot on location! Don't forget people!"

Grabbing her things, Liya thanked Warren for all his hard work and headed for her car.

"Liya!" Jonah called before she had the chance to escape.

"Hey Jonah," She smiled shyly, trying to keep her eyes on his instead of his muscular body.

"I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me Friday night. I have a couple of questions about an upcoming scene."

"Uh," She tried to think of an excuse.

"My place. Nothing fancy, just burgers on the grill."

"Sure. What time?"

"Around eight? I'll text you the address."

"Great," She sighed and slowly made her way to the car, contemplating how the hell she was going to make it through Friday night without doing something she was bound to regret.