Page 109 of Hollywood Humbug

I mean, there’s nothing, is there?

What could be more perfect than snowy days, Christmas trees twinkling with colorful lights, and being able to eat reindeer-shaped sugar cookies instead of healthy, balanced meals? The gold-foil wrapping? The big family meal? The carols, the sleigh bells, the festivities?

And don’t get me started on the variety of gorgeous hot cocoa flavors that suddenly become available. Being able to drink a gingerbread house is an experience. And the candy cane whipped cream is a must-have treat.

So, from my huge list, it’s clear I love Christmas. The only thing that makes it more amazing is being asked to be the props manager on the Christmas movie,The Naughty List.

My heart swells with pride.All my dreams have come true—well, almost all of them. Luke would love this. He adored the holiday season. But the magic of Christmas can’t bring my brother back any more than it can make the man I’ve been pining over for years fall in love with me—a man who just so happens to be working security on this movie. Daily temptation in the shape of Ryder Thorne.

I’ve been in love with the man since I knew what love was. It started as hero worship when Luke brought him home for the first time. At eighteen, he was ten years older than me, and I thought he was the bees-knees. I was a skinny kid back then, with pigtails and braces, but Ryder was always kind to me and made time for me whenever he visited. He became an honorary member of the Pine family and spent many a Christmas at our house.

I’m not sure when my feelings for him morphed from hero worship to something . . . more. Maybe it was a gradual thing. All I know is that, at sixteen, I got all fluttery whenever he was near and couldn’t stop blushing whenever he spoke to me.

Then everything changed when Luke was killed in action. He threw himself in front of Ryder when they were ambushed. The bullet that killed Luke also injured Ryder. He wasn’t the same when he eventually came home. His physical wounds were healed, but it was clear the psychological wounds ran deep. He was colder and harder, his dark eyes tormented.

Still, he’s never been far. I’ve seen him less in the last two years since I moved to L.A. His security company is based back in Vermont, but whenever I need him, he’s always there, looking out for me. I’m not completely surprised we’ve ended up working on the same movie. When I heard his company had been contracted for the security, I expected him to send one of his men, but I should’ve known Ryder wouldn’t leave a job like this to anyone else. I offered him my spare bedroom, but he said he’d already organized a hotel because God forbid, he should set tongues wagging by staying under my roof.

I think Luke would be proud of me. My business has gradually grown since I started Pine’s Props two years ago. Being signed by Heart and Soul Studios as their props manager on a last-minute Christmas movie has bolstered my confidence.

It was tough growing up with dyslexia. Being laughed at and teased because I couldn’t read as well or as quickly as the other kids in class. The words danced about on the page in front of me, and I was convinced I’d never get on in life. Then, when I was thirteen, I discovered I had a gift. I may not have been comfortable with the written word, but I was great with my hands. Anything creative involving painting, sculpting, drawing, or model-making was my catnip.

I got involved in all the drama productions at school, spending hours and hours making and sourcing props for everything from My Fair Lady to Beauty and the Beast. The limelight wasn’t for me, and staying firmly behind the scenes suited me perfectly. I’m happy to leave the bright lights to actors like Scarlett Cassidy and Kane Remington, the two stars ofThe Naughty List.

The cast and crew are an eclectic bunch, but rumor has it the movie’s writer, Nick Saint, handpicked everyone. I’ve only worked on small, low-budget projects over the last few years, soto say I was shocked when Julianna, the owner of the studios, contacted me to offer me this job would be an understatement.

Hopefully, this job will lead to more regular work in the industry I love, one that supports me, dyslexic or not.

I pull my long blonde hair onto the top of my head in a messy bun held together with a pencil and head onto the set with my arms full of boxes.

Two

RYDER

I’m eating a turkey club from the long table with cold-cut sandwiches and bottled drinks when my best friend, Jackson Reed, saunters in. He’s got a face like a smacked ass and looks like he wants to be at this meeting even less than I do.

A few years older than me, Jackson is also an ex-SEAL, and our friendship is forged in fire and loyalty. He didn’t know Luke like I did, but he knew what happened and was there for me during a dark time. Jackson listened to me as I ranted and raved and demanded to know why Luke gave his life for me and why I wasn’t enough for Jennie.

In hindsight, her cheating on me was a good thing. We wouldn’t have worked because I didn’t love her. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was seeking solace in the arms of the wrong woman because the woman I truly wanted was off-limits. Would always be off-limits because Luke already gave his life for me—I couldn’t screw up his sister’s life too.

Jackson is among Hollywood’s most respected stunt coordinators and one of the reasons I’m here at the studios today—although once I knew Charity was on staff, it didn’t take too much convincing. Jackson did me a solid by recommending my company, Thorne Operations, to the studio owner, and I’m nowcontracted to provide security services for the movie's duration. I take my job seriously and have already familiarized myself with the floor plan, the entrances and exits, and everyone working on this movie.

Jackson grabs a cookie shaped like a candy cane and shoves it in his mouth. The man is a terror for anything sweet and sugary.

“You look thrilled to be here,” I say sardonically.

We’re near the back of the room, and the director, Luca Regis, is talking with one of the executive producers near the stage.

“Meetings are boring,” Jackson states. “I don’t have any stunts planned for the rest of the day, so I could pick up Cam if I didn’t have to stick around for this.”

I frown. “Pick her up? Shouldn’t she be at home with the nanny?”

Jackson shakes his head. “Ms. Young has her family in town for the holiday, so she can’t come to my place like she usually does. Luckily, the woman loves Cam like she’s one of her grandkids, so she’s happy to watch her at her house.”

Jackson is a single parent to his ten-year-old daughter, Cam. He’s devoted to his little girl, but I’ve seen how tough it’s been for him over the years, juggling his responsibilities as a father with his career and suitable childcare for Cam.

“How’s your Christmas shopping coming along?” I ask with a knowing smirk. I remember last year when Jackson was out shopping for gifts for Cam on Christmas Eve, cursing himself for leaving it so late.

“I’ll have you know that I’m finished with it.” He grins, grabbing another cookie off the plate. “I got started in October this time. No more holiday shenanigans for me. I’m going to finish this movie and relax.”