her surprise, the dog caught on very quickly. What a shame that her former owners hadn’t seen her potential. And what a shame that Baloo was only going to have a temporary home with Luke McKenzie.
Maybe she could...
No. She stopped her thoughts before the temptation got too strong.
Her lease said no dogs—and that was one of the reasons why she’d chosen the flat in the first place. To make sure that she had a solid reason not to weaken and let another dog into her life. A dog she could lose, the way she’d lost Comet. She’d spent the last year putting the pieces of her life back together, and the only way to keep herself safe was to keep herself separate. She needed to remember that. She absolutely couldn’t adopt Baloo. No matter how tempting the idea was.
* * *
Luke checked his phone during the scene break. There was a message from a number he didn’t recognise; he assumed it was from Jess and flicked into it.
She was taking Baloo to the park?
That was definitely above and beyond the call of duty. He still felt a bit guilty about dumping the dog on her, but what else could he have done? He couldn’t leave Baloo at home because he knew she’d trash the place and he didn’t want the dog in a situation where she could get hurt. He couldn’t take time off from rehearsals, because that wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the cast. And, thanks to Mimi’s tantrum after the shoe episode yesterday, he couldn’t keep the dog on the set with him either.
And then there was Jess herself. Straight-talking, and not afraid to stick up for an unwanted dog even if it could mean she’d be fired.
Something about her drew him.
Which was ridiculous. Apart from the fact that Luke wasn’t in a place where he was even looking for a relationship, for all he knew Jess could be happily married, or at least committed to someone. Even if she wasn’t, who would want to date a man in the public eye and have her life stuck under the less than kind microscope of the press? And when Fleur’s cronies found out he was dating her, they’d rip her to shreds in the press. He couldn’t let that happen. And that meant keeping some distance between them. Not acting on the attraction.
He texted back:
Enjoy the park. Will be rehearsing until about five. Let me know if any problems. And thank you.
A few moments later, his phone beeped to signal an incoming message. Jess again.
All fine. Baloo v keen on chicken.
Uh-oh. Had the dog stolen her sandwich? Something else he’d have to replace.
He typed:
Sorry. Will reimburse you for anything Baloo steals or trashes.
The reply was a smiley face.
No need. Is training aid.
‘Luke, we’re ready to go again,’ the director called.
Director wants me back to work. See you later.
He switched his phone off again when the message had been sent.
* * *
At quarter to six, Luke walked into the production office. ‘Sorry I’m late. Rehearsals overran a bit.’
Jess looked up from her desk and smiled. ‘No worries.’
At the sound of his voice, Baloo leaped up from her bed, woofed, and raced over to him.
‘I think someone’s missed you,’ Ayesha said with a grin.
‘Just tell me she didn’t disgrace herself,’ Luke said, rolling his eyes.
‘She’s been great,’ Jess told him. ‘Actually, Baloo has something she wants to show you. Stand in front of her and crouch down a bit. Baloo, shake hands,’ she instructed.
The dog obliged by lifting her paw and shaking hands with Luke.
‘Wow. I didn’t know she could do that.’ He looked impressed.
‘She can now. She picks things up quickly and Labradors are very trainable—I think you could have a potential movie star dog here.’
He laughed. ‘If I didn’t know better, I’d say my aunt called you and recruited you to her campaign to get me a dog.’
‘She adores you.’
‘Because I’m her favourite nephew. Yeah, yeah.’
‘I meant the dog adores you.’ Jess couldn’t help laughing. ‘You’re that used to people adoring you?’
‘My aunt, yes.’
Interesting that he’d mentioned his aunt rather than his parents or grandparents. So did that mean he was closer to his aunt than to any other relative? Had he lost his parents young, maybe?
Not that it was any of her business. She was simply looking after his dog for three days, not becoming his best friend or anything even close to it. She needed to back off. Now. ‘I, um, guess I’d better let you and Baloo get on,’ she said. ‘See you tomorrow.’
‘OK. Want me to make you a cup of tea before I go?’ he asked.
Ayesha coughed. ‘How come you’ve managed to snag yourself a personal tea boy, Jess?’
Luke grinned. ‘If I remember rightly, Ayesha, you hate tea and only drink espresso. Stronger than anyone else I know can take it, and that includes the Italians.’
‘Actors and their memories. I swear they have elephant genes,’ Ayesha teased.
‘Well, there has to be some benefit to learning lines,’ Luke said with a wink.
‘Jess, you can go now, if you like,’ Ayesha said. ‘I’ll finish up here.’
‘Sure?’ Jess asked.
‘Sure,’ Ayesha confirmed.
And somehow Jess found herself walking out of the office with Luke McKenzie.
‘Can I take you for a drink to say thank you?’ he asked.
Now she knew he was being polite. And she’d be polite back. ‘Thanks, but no. I have a standing date on Tuesday evenings.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘With my sister, my best friend and a pizza.’ And why had she felt the need to explain that? she wondered, cross with herself. He wouldn’t be interested. He was a movie star, for pity’s sake, not a normal everyday guy.
‘Enjoy,’ he said. ‘Maybe we can take a rain check on that drink.’
A permanent rain check, she thought. So they’d never actually go. ‘Sure.’
‘Seriously. Baloo and I owe you.’
A mad idea floated into her head. ‘If you really want to say thank you, you could give me two signed photos.’
He looked taken aback. ‘Two signed photos?’
What, did he think she meant to sell them on eBay or something? ‘For my sister and my best friend,’ she explained. ‘It’d make their day. They drag me off to see all your films.’
He grinned. ‘Under duress, would that be?’
She winced. ‘Sorry, that came out wrong. I like your films, too.’
‘But rom-coms aren’t your thing?’
‘I like them,’ she said, trying to be polite.
‘But?’
‘But I prefer action films,’ she confessed. ‘Especially sci-fi. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude.’
He laughed.