don’t need to do extra stuff. We’re fine.” There seemed to be tension between them. Had Eve disappointed him?
“We can’t dial it in, Brody.” She glanced at Jillian, almost as if she wished she were gone, then back at Brody. “Your fans count on you. We can’t take anything for granted. It’s good to shake things up.” The two watched each other for a moment.
Jillian shifted and her leg jarred the table, making Eve sit straight, then tap her folders straight. “So! Moving on. Today’s shoot.” She flipped to the second stapled page.
Jillian was watching her, wondering what was really up.
With an impatient huff, Eve flipped Jillian’s papers to the correct page. “You’ll get used to how we work,” she said, her tone suggesting Jillian was already hopelessly behind.
“School of Bondage?” Jillian read from the page.
“We’re filming the dominatrix class,” Eve said, as if it were an everyday thing to do. “Then we’ll hang in the bar where the students and teachers mingle and practice.”
“I’ve planned out the Top Ten S&M Tips,” Brody said.
“Good. We need to save time if we want to get footage at the condom factory before they stop the machines for the day.”
“Will I be able to scout these places?” Jillian asked.
Eve’s gaze shot to her. “Traffic’s brutal and we have lots to discuss. Kirk always wings it.”
“I’m sure JJ can wing it, too,” Brody said. “Speaking of Kirk, have you talked to him today?”
Eve’s face softened. “He’s great. They’re releasing him this afternoon.”
“He was higher than a kite when I called last night.”
“He’s already doing physical therapy.” She smiled. “I’m so glad that’s over. Kirk was so flipped out.” She paused, lost in thought for a second. “Oh, yeah, he wanted me to remind you about some DVD. The guy’s supposed to call you tonight?”
“Sure. Yeah. I’ll drop it off for him.”
“Anyway, okay, so let’s see…. Back to San Francisco.”
“Did that tip from JJ work out with the tourism office?” Brody asked, shooting Jillian a wink.
“Yes, actually, it did.” She lifted her gaze to Jillian and said a quick, begrudging, “Thank you.”
“No problem. I’m happy to help.” Even if I’m not Kirk.
Eve hunkered over her notes. “Turns out we have to revise the San Francisco segments, since the show will run on Valentine’s Day. We’ll use ‘Raunchy Romance’ as the theme. All we have to do is add some V-Day bits. I hate Valentine’s Day.”
“Why is that?” Jillian asked.
“It’s death for single guys,” Eve said. “Girls get all gooey and want promises, and guys get stuck with the bill.”
“It’s a racket,” Brody added. “Guys forking over a fortune for a fat diamond floating in Cristal, flaming dishes in restaurants where even the busboys are snots, and for what? If that’s what love is, save your money.”
“Good stuff, Brody,” Eve said. “Use all that. Also, how is a single guy supposed to get laid on Valentine’s Day? Do a riff on that. You know, how all the available chicks are home moping, eating Chunky Monkey from the carton, watching sappy movies in their sweats, wishing they had a boyfriend.”
Jillian needed to contribute something to the brainstorming. “Why not hang out at the video store where the women are renting their sappy movies?”
Brody and Eve stared at her, blinking.
“Say, fiveish, after work,” she continued. “Stand in the romantic comedy aisle, holding When Harry Met Sally or Sleepless in Seattle.”
“Too gay,” Brody said. “Maybe American Pie II or There’s Something About Mary.”
“I guess the movies don’t matter, as long as you look harmless and lonely. Oh, and buy snacks. Popcorn and M&M’s?”
“The doctor is in,” Brody said. “Good one, JJ. So, Eve, score us a video store we can haunt? We can get opinions on our theories, too, while we’re there.”
“Video stores are chains. I’ll have to deal with corporate permissions. It’ll take time.”
“You’re the queen of pulling rabbits from hats.”
Eve sighed, but a smile teased her lips. She grabbed Brody’s laptop and began clicking away.
Brody leaned close to Jillian. “You are good,” he said.
She was glad she’d impressed him. Now she had to get through to Eve. While they worked, Jillian complimented the woman’s planning, her filing system, hell, her acrylic nails, but the producer remained distant with her.
Two hours later, Eve looked at her watch. “The crew will be here soon, Brody, so let’s wrap up.”
“Time for Red Stripe and beer nuts,” he declared, picking up the phone to call room service.
“I’d like a club soda, please,” Jillian said.
“Do you believe this woman, Eve? Club soda?”
“Brody hates health nuts,” Eve said matter-of-factly.
“Sorry. But would you also add a fruit and veggie tray?”
“If I have to,” Brody said, grinning. “As long as you keep it away from the good food.”
The rest of the crew arrived and went over technical details about the upcoming shoot, while drinking beer and wolfing nuts. Jillian liked that the show worked with a bare-bones staff in an informal atmosphere. Brody asked about kids and pets and planned vacations, and she could see the crew loved him. She liked Brian and Bob, the light and sound guys she’d work most closely with, and felt good about their skills.
The crew left, Eve ran down one last checklist with Brody, then declared them set. It was nearly 4 p.m.
“The vans will be out front in exactly two hours, so don’t be late,” Eve said to Jillian, messenger bag over her arm.
“I won’t,” she said, fighting the urge to defend herself. I’m a professional and as prompt as sunrise. Instead, she gathered up her papers and purse.
Lounging on the couch, Brody took a long swallow of beer, his throat muscles sliding, forearm muscles twining, legs stretched out. He was still half-naked and all male. Even his toes looked sexy.
Jillian could hardly take her eyes off him.
“What are you up to now?” Brody asked her.
“I’m going to check my equipment, think through the shots, plan things out a bit.”
“Don’t get too locked down,” Eve said. “Brody always shakes things up. Kirk goes with the flow. That’s the best way.”
“I understand,” she said. “I’m sure it will be fine.” Grr.
“You should take a nap,” Eve said to Brody with an affectionate smile. “We’ll be out late. After the taping, I thought we’d check out that new bar near the W.”
“I’m making it an early night, Eve.”
“On our launch? We always party.”
“Not this time. Not me.”
“But I already rounded up the crowd.”
“You’ll have fun.”
“It’s not the same without you.”
“Take