His Larkville Cinderella. Melissa McClone

dressing rooms in the wardrobe department. People, mainly women, scurried in and out, buzzing around him like bees as they scribbled notes.

      He was nothing more than a living, breathing mannequin. Clothes came off. Others went on. His white boxer briefs were the only item that remained on his body the entire time.

      A mix of perfumes wafted in the air. Adam recognized the scent of one, Chanel No. 5. His mother wore that.

      He preferred the way Megan smelled—like springtime. Light, sunny, a little flowery. Not a chemical scent manufactured in a lab, but the real deal.

      He was looking forward to having lunch with her. She was different from the people he normally came in contact with, so unaffected.

      She’d disappeared after they’d brought in the shoes. He kept hoping she’d breeze into his dressing room.

      The costumer, a woman in her early thirties named Kenna, straightened the shoulders of his tuxedo jacket. “I’d forgotten how well this tuxedo fits you. Forty-two long, right?”

      Adam nodded. He’d worked with her before on the Roman gods epic blockbuster that had made him a bankable star. Her hair had been blond then, not a flaming red. The new color suited Kenna as did the vintage clothing she always wore. “Thanks to you.”

      With a grin, she adjusted his sleeves. “I wish all actors had wide shoulders like yours. Suits and tuxedos look so much nicer.”

      Adam would wear the tux during the first turning point when his character, Maxwell Caldecott, became the scapegoat for his wealthy father-in-law’s illegal activity and was arrested. But the tux made him think of something other than that pivotal scene—award season. He was banking on this drama, a character piece with big emotions, to catapult him into an award nominee and winner.

      He winked. “I bet you say that to all the actors.”

      The set costumer, a woman in her late twenties named Rosie, tied his bow tie. “Only the hot ones.”

      “The truth comes out,” he teased.

      The women smiled at him. These weren’t flirtatious come-ons, but genuine grins.

      Adam appreciated their good humor. He couldn’t imagine the past few days had been easy on them. They both had the same dark circles under their eyes as Megan. He wondered what she was doing right now.

      “Turn,” Rosie said.

      He did.

      “Now for the accessories.” Kenna glanced at her clipboard. “We’ve changed a couple of things so they wouldn’t clash with Lane’s costumes. She’s not a big fan of gold.”

      Rosie glanced in a marked container. “Speaking of which, where is the new wedding band?”

      “Eva had it earlier,” Kenna said.

      Rosie sent a text. “We’ll have it in a minute. Once we get Eva’s approval on this ensemble, you can go.”

      Kenna nodded. “We’ll tag the items, then it’s time for a much needed lunch break.”

      Her words made him think about Megan again. He thought she would say no to his invitation, but he was pleased she hadn’t. Buying her lunch would make up for the way he’d teased her at Chas’s house.

      As if on cue, Megan entered the dressing area with a small ring box in her hands. She didn’t look at him.

      All business. Adam’s grin widened. Well, except for her casual clothes. She’d removed her jacket. She was wearing the same baggy pink T-shirt and jeans she’d worn at the beach. Her wild, curly brown hair was piled and clipped on top of her head once again. But the earrings were new. She hadn’t worn jewelry before. Add a pair of smart-girl glasses and she really would have the geek-chic look down. Her cheeks were flushed pink, as if she were exercising. Most likely running errands.

      “You have Maxwell’s ring?” Kenna asked.

      Megan nodded. “Eva said there are extra cuff links if you need them.”

      Kenna glanced at the clipboard. “We’re using the silver ones with the diamond chips.”

      Adam noticed Megan seemed more comfortable here than at the beach house and less agitated than at her car earlier. Not only her demeanor, but her posture and voice. Except for the way she was dressed, she fit right in.

      “Show Adam the ring,” Kenna instructed.

      Megan shuffled forward, her feet encased in white canvas sneakers. She looked a little pale, more tired than when he’d seen her earlier. No doubt hungry, too.

      “Our paths cross again, Texas,” Adam said.

      Lines creased Rosie’s forehead. Her gaze bounced between them. “You two know each other?”

      “We met at Chas’s house a few days ago,” Adam explained.

      Gossip spread like wildfire on sets. He watched what he said around the crew. Not that anything was going on with the intern. Or any other woman at the moment. Unfortunately.

      “I had to take Eva the right portfolio,” Megan explained.

      Rosie sighed. “The day our lives ended.”

      Kenna nodded.

      Megan removed a platinum-and-diamond ring from the box. Light reflected off the row of diamonds, sending colorful prisms dancing on the walls and ceiling.

      Whoa. Adam wouldn’t wear that kind of ring in real life, but he could see his character Maxwell wanting something flashy like that. “That’s fancier than the original gold band I was going to wear.”

      “Lane picked it out,” Kenna explained. “She felt since she’s playing the role of your wife, she should decide what kind of wedding band Maxwell wears.”

      “So Maxwell is into bling now,” Adam teased.

      “He will be once you’re wearing it,” Kenna said. “Put it on his left ring finger, Texas.”

      Megan’s eyes widened at the nickname, and not in a good way. Oops.

      He expected her to say something to Kenna, but Megan didn’t. Damn. She couldn’t. Not as an intern. She didn’t dare risk stepping on toes around here.

      One more strike against him. More to make up to her. Adam would force her to order dessert. Something chocolate. Most women, even chronic dieters, loved chocolate.

      Megan held the ring between her index and thumb. “Left hand, please.”

      Her serious expression, coupled with her slight Texas twang, made Adam bite back a laugh. She was trying so hard to be professional when it looked like what she really needed was a decent meal, a big hug and a comfy pillow to rest her head. He’d offered the first. He wouldn’t mind providing all three.