Unconditional Love: The Love Series, #8
By Emma Keene
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About this ebook
Amy is back on set after visiting Spencer in Prague. Jarvis has postponed his birthday party and is insisting she come. She's really not in the mood, but decides to take Rose in an attempt to cheer her up.
A stunt double doesn't show up for a pivotal scene and Amy is thrust into the role where she's forced to risk her life in order to get the perfect shot for Harriet. Everything is going according to plan... until the unexpected happens and lives hang in the balance.
Nadia, a producer on Day One, confronts Amy about her behavior during her last TV appearance. Amy is forced to choose between being true to herself and being a success in Hollywood.
Emma Keene
I live in beautiful Seattle, WA with my amazing, supportive husband and our two German Shepherds that truly believe it's all about them. I love the rain and it gives me plenty of time to read and write. Visit emmakeene.com to find out more about Emma or to join her mailing list.
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Unconditional Love - Emma Keene
1
Iroll over , grab my phone and sigh when I see the time. It’s just after five. Ugh. I got back to Dex’s house at eight last night and decided to take what I thought was going to be a quick nap. The alarm I set for an hour never woke me up and now I feel wide awake.
I put my phone down on the nightstand, roll onto my back and close my eyes. The flight back was fine, but I just couldn’t seem to sleep more than a few minutes at a time… even though I really tried. I’m supposed to be on set at nine this morning and I can already feel that it’s going to be a rough and exhausting day. With any luck, we’ll have a long enough break during the day that I’ll be able to take a nap in my trailer… or something.
Sleep continues to elude me as I lie in bed, my thoughts continuously drifting back to Spencer as I wonder what he’s doing right now. It’s like eleven in the morning in Prague, which means he’s probably in the middle of his shoot.
Visiting Spencer was like a dream come true, but my time there flew by and I’m already thinking about when I’ll be able to see him again. I guess that’s only natural. I neglected to ask him where he’d be when I finished shooting Day One, but I want to head there… wherever it is.
I roll onto my side and take a deep breath. I’m starting to resign myself to the fact that I’m not going to be able to sleep, no matter how much I would like it. I grab my phone, pull up my conversation with Spencer and send him a text.
Hey, just thinking about you… missing you. I’m sure you’re already on set, but I hope you have a great day and hopefully we can talk later. I have to be on set at nine, but text me when you get a chance. Love you.
I stare at the screen of my phone for a few seconds in the hope that he responds, but the screen eventually goes dark and I set it back down.
My stomach grumbles and I sigh. The last thing I ate was the mediocre food on the flight and I’m feeling kind of hungry, but I also don’t want to venture down to the kitchen for fear of making a bunch of noise and waking anyone else up.
Another ten minutes pass as I try to will myself back to sleep, but nothing happens. I sit up in bed, grab my phone and put on my slippers. As quietly as possible, I open my bedroom door and use the light from my phone to navigate down the stairs and into the kitchen. There’s plenty of food in the fridge, as always, but nothing really sounds all that good… so I just grab yogurt and fetch a spoon from the silverware drawer. I turn on the kitchen light and sit down at the table to eat my snack.
Can’t sleep?
I turn my head and smile at Dex as he walks into the kitchen. He smiles back and sits down across from me.
No… I think it’s the jet lag.
Yeah… that makes sense. Did you sleep on the flight?
A little, but it wasn’t easy. They served us two lunches and it seemed like they were trying to keep us awake… kind of.
That’s kind of how flights back from Europe usually are.
I shrug and nod my head as I eat a spoonful of yogurt.
Oh well,
I say.
Do you have to go to the set today?
I guess… I haven’t heard from Harriet, so I’m assuming that everything is set to go and Jarvis has been cleared to get back to work.
It’s so crazy that they had to shut down filming because of him.
I know… it could have been worse, I suppose. It was his own fault, really.
Boys.
I chuckle and nod my head.
I still feel happy about getting a couple days off and having the opportunity to visit Spencer.
How’s he doing?
Dex asks.
Good. He was working most of the time, but it was still nice to see him when he got back from the set.
Dex winks and I can feel my face turning red. I take another bite of yogurt and look down at my phone to check the time. I’m feeling a little tired, mostly from lack of sleep, but I doubt I’ll be able to get back to sleep before I have to head to the set.
I’m sure he was glad to see you.
He was… I’m not sure as happy as I was, but that’s to be expected… I think.
Well,
Dex says, shrugging, he is a man.
I smile and shake my head. He’s right about that.
Yes… that’s for sure.
Dex smiles, glances down at his phone and then back at me.
Are you excited to have your new car?
I am… although I’m a little sad to see that little SUV gone… it was nice, too.
My new car was waiting at the house for me when I got back, which was a nice surprise. Gina told me that the dealership had dropped it off and picked up the car they had loaned me, which was nice of them. I guess that’s the kind of service that comes with buying such an expensive car.
Yeah… they make some nice cars.
Dex smiles and stands up from the table. He opens his mouth, but quickly closes it and nods. It’s obvious that he was about to say something and then changed his mind. I smile back at him as he turns and walks toward the living room.
I’ve got some work to do,
he says, as he glances down at his phone.
OK… sounds good.
Will you be home for dinner?
Yeah… I mean… I think so.
I’ll try to make it home at a decent time… and maybe we can have dinner… and catch up—I’d like to hear about your trip.
Sure… that sounds nice.
I smile at him as he turns and walks toward the living room. It would be nice to catch up with him, especially since I don’t know how much longer I’ll be staying here—there’s really no logical reason for me to not head back to Spencer’s house… our house… now that my Mom is getting treatment.
My phone lights up and I smile as I see the notification—a text from Spencer.
Hey, I’ve just got a minute or two… we’re taking a quick break and then shooting another scene. I’m glad you made it home safe… and I’ll try to text you later when I’m done for the day. Love you.
I type out a response and hit send.
Sounds good. Have a good day on set. Love you.
I’m missing him more than before I went to visit him, which kind of makes sense. I really wish we could be together all the time, but I know it’s just not possible given how busy we both are with our careers. It’s all good… we’re still newlyweds, really, and we’re in the process of building our personal as well as our professional lives. A smile crosses my face as I think about how blessed I feel—life is amazing right now and I’m very excited about what our future holds.
I stand up from the table, throw away my empty yogurt container and put my spoon in the sink before heading back upstairs. I’ve still got time before I have to get ready, but I’m feeling too tired to go for a run or a swim.
Back in my room, I sit down on my bed and just browse the news on my phone for the next few minutes. A picture of Jarvis catches my attention on the entertainment section, so I tap on the picture and start to read the article. It’s poorly written and isn’t really saying anything other than that he just had his birthday and that he’s currently shooting a film, Day One. I’m not sure what the point of the article even is and I stop reading after the first two paragraphs.
With all the drama surrounding Jarvis and his injury, I totally forgot that he had a birthday while I was gone. I have a feeling that he probably partied hard and now he’s going to still be dragging the next couple of days on set, but I really hope I’m wrong because that’s the last thing we need after falling behind on the shooting schedule. I do, however, hope that I’m wrong and he’s still taking the film seriously.
I set my phone down, look up at the ceiling and sigh. A feeling of total exhaustion just hit me, but it’s late enough now that I don’t feel like I can go back to bed and still get up and to the set in time. Hopefully I’ll get lucky and we’ll have a long enough break during the day that I can catch a quick nap.
Twenty minutes later, after taking a quick shower and throwing on some clothes, I grab my purse and head out of my room. Rose is coming out of hers at the same time and she smiles at me.
How was your trip?
she asks.
I was going to tell her about it last night when I got in, but her door was already closed when I got back to the house.
Amazing… it was lovely to see Spencer.
Good.
How about you? Any news on that part you auditioned for?
Yeah… I didn’t get it.
I frown and nod my head.
Dang… that sucks. Sorry.
Rose shrugs and forces a smile onto her face.
Thanks. I’ll just get out there and try again.
Good… that’s the only thing you can do.
I have no idea how she’s feeling right now because I got super lucky and didn’t have to work hard at all to get my first big role, but I still feel bad for her. Rose is a good actress, in my opinion, so she shouldn’t have any trouble landing something even better.
Am I keeping you?
Rose asks.
No… not really. I was going to head to the set a little early, but it’s not that big of a deal.
Are you excited to get back to work?
Yeah… I think so. It’s hard… physically at least, but I’m enjoying it. The thing that I’m really looking forward to is getting done so that I can spend some time with Spencer.
"Are you planning to head back to Europe when you finish shooting Day One?"
That’s the plan… right now, at least. I’m having a hard enough time being apart for any amount of time… so that way we can see each other for a couple of hours in the morning and night.
Nice… that’s good.
It is,
I say, smiling.
I… I guess… I should let you go.
I nod and take a deep breath. It would be nice if I could take Rose out for breakfast, or something, to soften the blow of her missing out on that role. I’ll make it up to her soon, since I don’t have the time to do it today.
Dex was asking about dinner… are you going to be around?
Yeah,
Rose says, nodding, I’m not planning on going anywhere.
See you later.
She smiles as I turn and head down the stairs. I feel bad for Rose. It seemed like such a sure thing that she was going to get that part. I wonder what happened? Spencer talks about how fickle people in this town can be and this is a prime example of that.
I get into my car and smile. It feels good to be back in my own car… well… at least the same kind of car that I had before. There’s still been no word from the insurance company about my car that was stolen. Just one more thing I need to fit into my already busy schedule.
2
Ilean against the side of my trailer and take a deep breath. There’re dozens of people walking in every direction as they work to get everything ready for the scenes we’re shooting today.
Amy… you ready?
I turn around and smile as Harriet, the director of Day One, walks toward me.
Yeah… I think so.
She frowns, but the expression fades from her face just as quickly as it appeared.
You think so?
Yes… I’m ready.
You know your lines?
Yep.
Good.
I knew my lines before we took a break and I looked over them a few times while I was gone, and on the plane, but I still tend to worry that I’ll forget them. So far during shooting Day One I’ve been on point… so I’m not really that worried.
How have you been?
I ask.
She shrugs and runs her hand through her hair.
The studio is pressuring me to… never mind. Excuse me, please.
She looks down at her phone, the screen of which is lit up, and walks away. I’m sure the studio wants her to get us back on schedule, which I doubt is going to be easy after what happened. I don’t pity Harriet at all. What I do seems so easy compared to what she does every single day.
Harriet walks to her trailer, shaking her head as she talks into her phone. As much as I like her, it’s going to be nice for lots of reasons to be done with this film. I’m just happy that Jarvis seemingly pulled his act together, apart from getting hurt… because it would have made all of this almost unbearable.
Well… don’t you look nice.
Jarvis. I turn around and face him. He’s got a smile on his face as he walks toward me. I look at his clothes and then down at mine. We’re both done with makeup and wardrobe… which is still consisting of us being covered in all manner of dirt and mud. I’m starting to wish my character could come across a body of water and clean herself up… but I know it’s not in the script. It had never crossed my mind before, but I’m starting to feel like I’d be horrible in a post-apocalyptic world. The lack of indoor plumbing is not something I’m sure I’d be able to overcome.
How are you feeling?
He shrugs and rubs the back of his head.
Some stitches and rest… I’m pretty much back to normal.
Good.
How are you?
Fine.
I heard you went to Europe.
I did. Prague.
To visit Spencer?
Yeah.
I’m not sure why Jarvis is so into making small talk right now, but I don’t feel like being a jerk and walking away.
Sorry I missed your party,
I say.
He shakes his head and smiles.
I postponed it… it’s actually going to be this Friday.
Really?
Yeah… and I’d like you to be there.
I… I’ll have to check my schedule.
I already know I have no plans for Friday, but I don’t really feel like going to his party if I can help it.
Oh… well… let me know.
I will.
Jarvis! Amy! We’re ready for you!
We both turn and look at the assistant director, who is waving us over. Here we go.
I kick off my shoes and plop down on my bed. I’m so gross… covered in a mixture of sweat and dirt and I kind of don’t even care.
Harriet pushed the production hard today, but she seemed happy that we managed to pick up right where we left off and were even able to shoot and extra scene. I’m glad that we might be able to get back on track, for her sake, but it also meant I never got a chance to take a nap during the day and now I’m beat.
I groan and push myself up in bed and head to the bathroom for a quick shower. I’d love to just go to bed, but it’s like seven and I’m supposed to have dinner with Dex and Rose. I’m sure they’d understand if I bailed… I just feel like it would be nice to catch up with both of them and I’m hungry. We did have a ten-minute break for lunch, but I’m sure I still burned twice as many calories as I ate today.
There’s no message from Spencer on my phone as I stand up and walk toward my door. I thought about texting him, but it’s the middle of the night and he likely went to bed as soon as he got back from the set.
Gina is in the kitchen when I walk in. She turns around with a smile on her face.
Ms. Amy… you look tired… and hungry.
Hey, Gina. Yes… I’m both of those things.
Good… I’m just about finished with dinner.
Is Dex around?
No… I haven’t seen him since this morning.
Oh.
He did tell me it would be the three of you for dinner… so I assume he will be here.
I nod and sit down at the table. A few minutes pass as I sit there, just staring off into the distance, but my attention is pulled back to the present when I hear someone walking into the kitchen behind me. I turn around and see that it’s Rose. I’m honestly a little disappointed that it’s not Dex… and I’m starting to wonder if he’s been held up by whatever project he’s working on right now.
Hey,
Rose says, as she sits down at the table.
Hi.
How was your day.
I sigh and shake my head.
Long. It was good, though.
Jarvis is better?
Yeah… he seems fine.
That’s good.
It is. It was a pretty nasty fall. I’m kind of surprised he’s back to work so soon.
Wasn’t it just his birthday… or something?
It was,
I say, nodding, "but he canceled his party because of his accident. He had invited me to go, before, so I figured I got out of it since I went to see Spencer. Then today, as soon as