Page 21 of Wrapped in You

Cindy rolled her eyes and retreated to the party. As the kitchen door opened, out came the sound of another Christmas song.

Not long after that, the convention center was full of cast and crew members eager to celebrate their two "difficult and bone-chilling" weeks of filming. Sophie's catering staff meanderedwith hors d'oeuvres, and Randy recruited Tommy to bartend since he couldn't keep up with the cast and crew's demands.

"I didn't know I'd make so many hot toddies today," Randy cried. "My fingers hurt from all the lemon!"

Sophie milled around, checking on cast and crew and staff and saying hello. She was pleased that so many people wore Christmassy outfits—Santa hats, sweaters, and sparkly dresses. The assistant costumer had even decorated her high heels with tinsel.

"I took this film for the cash—and to get out of LA," the assistant costumer explained. "I never thought I'd actually have a good time!"

Not long into the night, Sophie caught her father, Joe, taking a shot with the sound guys, who called Joe "the coolest guy in the room!" Joe beamed and said, "See, honey? Retirement is the best time of your life!"

Sophie cackled and refused the shot they poured for her, so Isaac drank it instead. "I'll regret that tomorrow," he said.

"But we have tomorrow off!" Mike cried, reaching for another shot. "Now is the time to unleash!"

Soon after, dinner was ready. Just like on set, the cast and crew were always starving and eager to eat. The bar and the dance floor were empty, and the room was semi-quiet as everyone focused on their food. Sophie sat at a table with Cindy and their mother and father, all of whom were eager to tell everyone else that Sophie was a member of their family. Jeremy was three tables away, seated with the sound guys, who seemed entirely displeased he was there.

Suddenly, the front door burst open. A freezing draft came in.

Everyone turned to see a familiar face.

Derek Brownlee strode into the convention center with the air of someone having the worst day of his life. He wore a blackpeacoat, and his hair was styled with gel, highlighting his black curls. Behind him was Cara. Cara locked eyes with Sophie and gave a soft nod. She seemed to say,Thank you.

Fiona hurried toward Derek and Cara, guiding them to free chairs near the kitchen. Piper came out of the kitchen with two plates, and Tommy approached to take their drink orders. Derek looked uncomfortable in his own skin. He took off his coat and sat down, glancing from side to side, seemingly annoyed. But when he began to eat, Sophie noticed how his shoulders loosened and his face transformed.

Inexplicably, Sophie thought,Food is the way to a man's heart.

But she shook that thought out. She had no interest in reaching Derek's heart. She just wanted him to be nicer to the crew—and maybe, just maybe, forget the sorrows of his past. For a few hours.

After dinner, Fiona passed out sheet music. Sophie hurried to the center of the dance floor to announce they'd be singing four carols together. "On set, you have to work together as a team," she said. "Singing carols isn't so different. And look." Sophie gestured toward the large window that looked out onto Main Street, not far from where they usually filmed every day. "It just started to snow."

All the Californians turned to gaze outside at a sparkling white snow that shivered through a dark night. Derek Brownlee seemed especially captivated with it. As everyone began to sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," Derek didn't even pick up the sheet music. The words came to him, but his eyes remained on the snow outside.

He was thinking about Georgia.

Sophie knew it.

Sophie led the cast and crew through all four carols. Their voices got louder and louder. All the while, Sophie couldn't help but glance at Derek, whose eyes glinted. Was he crying? Beside him, Cara was focused on reading the words on her sheet, but Derek still didn't need them.

He knew the songs by heart.

When the final song finished, Sophie's voice wavered as she said, "Thank you for humoring me. Singing together is one of the most magical parts of Christmastime."

"We love you, Sophie!" Mike cried.

"Hear, hear!" Isaac called.

Sophie laughed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She couldn't help but feel Jeremy's eyes on her. Derek's eyes were on her, too.

"Randy and Tommy have plenty of drinks at the bar," Sophie said. "Remember, we have shuttles every half hour to take you back to the hotel. If you're staying in the cabins near the forest..." She glanced at Derek and Cara, whom she knew had their own cabins away from the hotel. "We've arranged for the shuttle drivers to take you whenever you please."

Cara raised her glass of white wine and smiled. Derek continued to look at Sophie with a strange glint in his eyes.

Sophie assumed he'd get up and storm out of the convention center soon after that. But instead, Derek remained for another two hours. She caught him in conversation with Mike and Isaac, talking about sound equipment. She spotted him with Natalie and even overheard him saying, "I really think you're the perfect actress for this job." Natalie's cheeks were flushed.

But every once in a while throughout the evening, Sophie caught Derek's eyes upon her. They were filled with curiosity.

They seemed to ask,Who is this woman? Why won't she do what I tell her to?