What the Lightning Sees: Part One (5 page)

“I think if you were a little nicer to me, I’d ask Sandy to get them to move us forward, but as you’re not, I think we should stay put.”

I felt like I was being taught a lesson, like a schoolgirl who’d been caught talking in class. “Okay,” I replied.

“Okay?” he asked.

“Yes, if you think we should stay here, then that’s what we’ll do.”

“Okay,” he said, giving nothing away.

“I am sorry. I don’t mean to say those things. My lips get loose when you’re around.”

“Your lips get loose?” He turned to look at me and raised his eyebrows.

“You know, things just tumble out.”

“I think you’re a little crazy,” he said as he turned back to the set.

I nodded and took a deep breath. “You’re probably right. But there’s a little crazy in everyone, isn’t there?”

He chuckled. “In everyone worth knowing.”

My cheeks heated.
Did he pay me a compliment?

“I’ll make you a deal,” he continued.

“What kind of deal?”

“Something to focus your loose lips and to help me to pass the time.”

That sounded interesting. I looked at him, as his eyes flitted across my face. He didn’t elaborate when I didn’t reply straight away, he just kept his eyes on me. “Okay, what’s the deal?” I asked softly.

“I’ll help you get what you need from Sandy, but in return, you have to answer any questions I ask you completely honestly.”

“What sort of questions?” I asked. I was worried he was going to report things back to Robert.

He shrugged.

“Personal questions?” I asked.

“Maybe. Anything I want.”

“This is just between us? I mean, you’re not going to tell anyone what I say?” My heart had begun to beat rapidly. I was going to accept his deal.

“Of course,” he said as if he thought I was ridiculous for thinking otherwise.

“Why?”

“That’s the deal.”

“Are you blackmailing me?”

“Call it what you like. I just want to pass the time, and you want to get access to Sandy. Accept, don’t accept.”

I was being pulled toward him with each word he spoke to me. What was he trying to do? Keep me quiet? Gain control? A warm sensation passed up my spine and I didn’t know if it was fear or anticipation. Before I knew what I was saying I replied, “Deal.”

Jake

I grinned but I kept facing forward so she wouldn’t see. A sense of victory washed over me. Despite herself, Haven was fun. You could tell that there was a little more to her than most of the women I came across. She was clearly ambitious and driven, and I admired that about her. I liked that she wanted to do a good job on this article, however vacuous it might be. And she was funny, sometimes not intentionally, but that clueless part of her was kinda endearing.

There was no particular question I had in mind for her when I suggested our bargain. I wanted to see if she’d take the deal. I was surprised she had. She might lie, but something told me she wouldn’t. Her pride would stop her. She liked rules and she’d stick to them. This might be fun, and it was better than being a victim of her loose lips.

“So, do you have a question?” she asked.

“Nope. Not at the moment. I’ll let you know.”

My mind was full of too much to think about. Hal had asked for some additional information about Elemental Energy, which I’d sent to him. He was asking smart questions, but I took satisfaction in the fact that I’d already asked them of myself. I had a couple of meetings this week with other investors, but I hoped I’d have an answer from Hal before then.

And then there was Beth. She seemed really happy at the moment. Her studies seemed to be going well. But I wanted her to have a circle of friends—a support system other than me. I couldn’t be there all the time, and she needed to get out more.

Jesus, I was tense. I should get back into my running, or perhaps I’d call Millie. I wasn’t sure I’d categorize Millie my girlfriend, but she was who I was dating at the moment and I needed a release.

“So, what can you tell me about Sandy?” Haven asked.

I sat back down next to her. “Nothing really. I don’t know her that well.”

“Seems to me you know her pretty well.”

“She’s just friendly. We have a mutual friend in common, that’s all. Anyway, isn’t that why you’re here? To get to know her?”

“Don’t tell me her sister is your ex-girlfriend?” she asked.

“Why is it you think you have me all figured out? You keep making all these comments about me and who you think I am. I thought you were meant to be a journalist. Aren’t you supposed to research, ask questions and look for evidence rather than jump to conclusions?”

“It was a question,” she replied, trying not to sulk.

“It was a leading question, full of assumptions. For your information no, Gay Dave is our mutual friend, who I met in college. And before you ask, I’ve not fucked him either.”

Haven started laughing, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“So tell me, have I got it so wrong about you?” she asked.

“I have no idea who, in that twisted little head of yours, I’m supposed to be. All I know is that you haven’t known me long enough to know anything about me.”

“So tell me.”

“I’m the one asking the questions.” I wasn’t about to start spilling my life story to her, but I liked that she’d asked.

“Not so far,” she said.

“Patience is a virtue, haven’t you heard?”

“I don’t have any. Haven’t
you
heard?” she asked me back.

“You don’t have any virtues?” What did she mean?

She shrugged. “You’ll hear them gossiping, if you haven’t already.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been in the office much.”

“You’ll see,” she said.

“What? I’ll see you being bitchy to everyone?”

She sighed. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. Anyway, there’s not many people there that think I have any virtues.”

“Does that bother you?” It sounded like it did.

“Is that an official question?” she asked.

I nodded.

She shrugged. “Sometimes.” It seemed like it upset her, which I didn’t understand. Why didn’t she make more of an effort to be likeable if it bothered her?

“Harry! Get over here,” Sandy screamed from across the set. She was waving and bouncing up and down next to some people huddled over a screen.

I made my way across to her and she clasped her arms around my waist. I hoped she was just being friendly.

“What do you think?” She pointed to the monitor and the scene that they’d been shooting was playing out. “I’m so nervous! I hope I’m not going to sink this ship.”

“You’re amazing, doll. A very talented lady,” one of the men dressed in black said to her. She grinned up at me.

“I’m sure you’re doing great,” I reassured her. “Seems great.”

I glanced back at Haven. She was watching. I held her gaze for longer than I meant to. That girl was going to be trouble for me.

“Do you have a break now? You, me and Haven could have coffee.”

“Can’t it just be you and me? I don’t think she likes me.”

“What do you mean? She’s a total fan. She told me that she’s really nervous about meeting you. She was playing your songs in the car on the drive up here. It’s been driving me insane.”

“She has?” She giggled.

I was going to hell.

“Sure. You’ll really like her when you get to know her.”

A special place in hell reserved only for the biggest liars.

Sandy didn’t let go of me as we made our way back to Haven.

“Come on Haven, let’s go and grab ourselves some coffee.” I winked at her and was sure I saw a trace of pink in her cheeks.

“So, how is your first day going?” Haven asked Sandy as we found a table toward the back of the stage and coffees magically appeared in front of us. Haven pulled out a Diet Coke from her bag.

“Well, I have nothing to compare it to. I’m just trying to enjoy myself and leave it to all the talented cast and crew to make me look good.”

“Is this the first film offer you’ve had?”

Jesus couldn’t she have phrased that a little differently?
Sandy could be prickly, Haven needed to tread lightly. I could see the pout start to form around Sandy’s lips.

“She meant the first one you’ve had a chance to consider properly. Now that you’re established in your singing career.”

Haven’s eyes flicked to me, she looked slightly frightened and started to nod. “Yes, exactly. I mean, you must get tons of offers. What made you accept this one?”

Sandy relaxed her shoulders. “Well I adore the director.
Love Etcetera,
his film before this one, is one of my favorite films, and he told me when he read the script he couldn’t see anyone but me in the role. He said he’d wait for my tour to be over to start filming. And the writer said he’d written the part just for me. Plus, I love the fact that I can spend some time in London. I know we have to film in Paris a little, but mostly we’re here at Pinewood Studios so it’s great. I can get to catch up with old friends like Harry.”

She reached across and stroked my thigh. I was going to have to discourage her attentions without upsetting her.

Haven’s eyes went to Sandy’s hand and then up to my face.

Haven

I bet he had slept with her despite his denial.
She was all over him like a disease, and she was gorgeous and tiny and had a permanent smile on her face. She couldn’t keep her hands off him, and was offering it up to him on a plate. There was no way a guy would say no to her. He wasn’t fighting her off, but there was nothing I could see that made me believe he wasn’t encouraging her. Maybe he hid it well, or perhaps he just didn’t have to.

“Sandy, we need you.” One of the crewmembers interrupted our short conversation, leaving Harry and me on our own again.

“She seems friendly,” I said. I started to roll my eyes and stopped myself. He was holding up his end of the deal. Sandy had been about to get pissed off about the question about it being her first film offer before he saved the day. I didn’t want to alienate our star before I’d even begun.

“Do you always wear your hair scraped back like that?” he asked as he stood up and headed back toward our allocated chairs. I could do nothing but follow him.

“Is that a question?” It sounded like a criticism. I glanced back at Sandy with her beautiful chestnut hair, blown out so perfectly. Surely she didn’t look like that every day?

“If you don’t understand whether or not I’m asking you a question, you might want to rethink your day job.” Harry grinned, and I automatically smiled back at him.

“I meant, is it one of your questions that I have to answer?” I asked.

“You have to answer everything I ask.”

I frowned at him. “I always wear it up for work.”

“It’s quite severe.”

My stomach clenched. Had he compared me directly with Sandy?

“Okay, not a question,” he said. “It’s just . . . I think it would look better down.”

I couldn’t decide if I was insulted or intrigued that he had considered what I would look like with my hair down. I fought a smile that he’d thought about it at all.

When I didn’t respond he started to speak again. “Tell me what I’m meant to have heard about you at work. You mentioned before about people talking about you.”

I shifted in my seat and smoothed my hair back. Was he deliberately trying to make me feel uncomfortable? I shrugged.

“We have a deal,” he said.

“I’m not sure why you’d want to torture me. Maybe it’s a sport for people like you.” He didn’t respond. Shit, I’d managed to be bitchy to him again. I hoped if I answered, he’d overlook it. “People don’t like me in the office. You must have realised. I’m not part of the gang. I’m not one of the cool girls who socialise and gossip together.”

“One of the cool girls?” He turned and smiled, raising an eyebrow at me. My stomach tilted. Was he flirting?