Page 20 of Wrapped in You

Cindy disappeared to turn on Christmas music. She started with "Silent Night" but quickly switched to "Jingle Bell Rock" to get the party atmosphere going.

Randy operated the bar and poured the sound guys’ beers from the tap. Sophie opted for a white wine and clinked her glass with theirs.

"I'm nervous," she confessed.

"Don't tell me you're scared of Derek Brownlee!" Beck cried.

Sophie wrinkled her nose. "I'll admit it. I'm a little scared of Derek Brownlee."

"Me too," Mike said.

"Sophie doesn't even think he's going to come," Cindy offered.

"Maybe he's holed up in his little cabin, writing and rewriting scenes forSilver Bells," Isaac suggested.

"Did he write the script himself?" Sophie asked.

"Don't think so," Mike said. "He hates Christmas, remember?"

Sophie wondered if his wife had written it. Was that why it was so difficult for him to film?

Just then, the front door opened to bring in Jeremy. Sophie's stomach dropped. Jeremy breezed inside, nodding at several crew members, before striding to the bar to grab a drink. Sophie was still in a circle with Cindy and the sound guys.

Cindy made a strange sound in her throat, one that meant she wanted Jeremy to leave. Sophie squeezed Cindy's elbow and made a face she hoped translated: don't be weird.

"Hey, Soph. Hey, Cindy," Jeremy said, taking his beer and raising it. "Mike, Isaac, Beck."

The sound guys gave Jeremy uncomfortable and brief smiles.

"Good idea to have a party," Jeremy said. He was undeterred. "It's been crazy on set. We needed to cool off."

Sophie hated how much she wanted to be nice to him. She wanted to sidle up to him, ask him how he was, and remind him of a few Christmassy memories.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" Jeremy asked Sophie under his breath.

"Hey, Soph." Cindy interrupted. "You're needed in the kitchen."

Sophie hesitated and looked Jeremy in the eye. "I'm working," she said as kindly as she could. "Maybe later?"

Sophie hurried after her sister to the kitchen. They disappeared behind the door. Cindy glowered in the midst of the chaotic staff, hands on her hips. Everything smelled of grilled onions and spices and buttery bread.

"He can't be serious," Cindy said.

Sophie sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. "Maybe I should just let him say what he wants to say?"

"No! Don't give him the time of day!" Cindy ordered.

"Give who the time of day?" Joe popped out of the back office and smiled.

"Jeremy thinks he can get Sophie back," Cindy shot.

Joe raised his eyebrows and peered out the window that looked out from the kitchen to the main room. "Jeremy's here? I better go say hi."

Joe disappeared, leaving Sophie and Cindy.

Cindy guffawed. But before she had a chance to pester Sophie again, Fiona burst forward with a potential kitchen disaster. "I think I burnt the mushrooms! Please help?" Her face was blotchy, and tears drained from her eyes.

"Can we talk about this later?" Sophie demanded.