Page 8 of Decked Out with Ivy

“Good to know.”

“Just assume I’m related to everyone in this town, and, for heaven’s sake, be nice.” Bex stormed out, slamming the thin metal door and shaking the entire trailer. Bells jingled, and he grabbed them from the doorknob and tossed them in the trash with the Santa cutout and the garland.

First day on set and already pissing people off. That might be a new record for him.

He glanced at his watch. Any time he had to close his eyes and decompress was gone. He needed to head to hair and makeup.

The wintry air cut into his skin, going right to his bones. He thought about the mittens he was forced to buy and considered wearing them before shoving his hands in his pockets. Most Christmas movies were filmed in the middle of summer, but not this one. Both Ang and Bex wanted it to be authentic with real snow.

All Cody could think about was if their lips would freeze together when they had to film the kiss. He smirked at the thought, but then his mind drifted to Ivy. Her pouty lips pressing against his, her body melting into his, as he swept his tongue into her mouth, ran his hands up her sexy as sin curves.

Where the hell did that come from?

“Morning,” Ang said, knocking Cody out of his fantasy. His black hair was combed out of his face and his dark eyes smiled just as much as his mouth. He was a good man and a damn talented director. He had made a name for himself in the film festivals, getting on many of the elites’ radar. Cody couldn’t wait to see what the future held for him.

“Morning.” Cody cleared his throat when the word got caught. A frosty breeze trickled down his neck, spreadinggoosebumps along his spine. He hunched his head into his shoulders, hoping to keep the cold out.

“Hear you’re already making waves with the townspeople.”

“I’m not,” he countered. Jesus, did someone alert the town telephone chain and let them know Cody Chance wasn’t on his best behavior when it came to their little Christmas Queen?

“Just remember, I’m taking a big risk with you. You’re talented, and I believe in second chances, but don’t think I’m going to let you ruin this movie for me or Bex.”

Ang had been the only one willing to give him a chance. For months he’d been waiting on a script to come his way, but all his agent had been getting was crickets. “It was all a misunderstanding. I had no idea the woman was friends with Bex’s sister-in-law.”

Ang smacked him on the back. “This is small town living. Everyone knows everyone.”

“Yeah, I’m starting to realize that.”

“Get over to make up, and I’ll see you on set at the top of the hour.”

He walked past Bex’s trailer and toward the hair and makeup trailer. Today they’d be shooting a sled scene, so they were in the middle of nowhere. Tomorrow they’d be right on Main Street, and he was told to expect the whole town to come down and watch. Did the whole town include Ivy?

He shook the thought from his head and climbed up the stairs of the hair and makeup trailer. He plopped in his designated seat just as his phone buzzed. He slid it from his pocket and saw Ronnie’s name flash on his screen. Bex just found out about his Grinchiness. Was it possible Ronnie heard and was calling to rip into him?

Briefly, he thought about ignoring the call, but finally answered.

“Hey, Ronnie.”

“Want to tell me about that blonde?”

“How the f—?”

“Tell me you haven’t looked at the internet today.” She sighed, always disappointed in his inability to stay current on social media.

He avoided the internet as much as possible. Especially after his latest scandal—a complete and total misunderstanding that had been construed to make him look like some sort of asshole. He very well could be an asshole. But this time, he hadn’t been.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I’m sending you a link. Look at it.”

He took the phone from his ear, and when the link popped up, he tapped it. The screen went from the call to a tabloid site he hated with a fiery passion. The same site that created the headline that almost got him blacklisted from Hollywood.

There, staring back at him, was an image of Ivy holding the ridiculous sweater he was currently wearing up to his chest, a big smile on her beautiful face. He was even smiling. A genuine smile. When was the last time that happened without having to be on camera?

The picture was blurry enough to show it was taken from outside with a zoom lens, but to anyone who hadn’t been in that store with them, it almost looked like they were flirting.

His eye caught the headline, and he grumbled.