In addition to firing the director, the producers had replaced the villain with a new actor. Jenny’s rewrites had changed the character enough to warrant someone new. The fired actor was more of a stewing and brooding sort of guy, but Jenny had written the part to rely on sarcasm and adroit humor.

It wasn’t that uncommon for an actor to be fired midshoot. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was his replacement. Reed had broken up with Jenny without warning then stranded her in a hotel room with nothing but the bill and a broken heart.

“I’m a big girl,” Jenny said.

“I don’t mean to suggest you’re incapable or something.” Anna grasped for the right words. “But if he hurts you, I can’t take him out at the knees until the movie is finished.”

Jenny sighed. “You said Reed was professional and easy to work with in London.”

“Yeah, but what about his whole ‘I’m posh but friendly’ thing? And that accent doesn’t hurt.” Anna strived to keep her voice light. “What if something happens? What if you fall in love with him again?”

“Oh, you sweet summer child, I never fell out of love with him.” Jenny put her head in her hands.

Anna’s eyes widened like an actress’s on her first day on set. Of all the revelations Jenny could have made, Anna couldn’t believe this. Never in a million, billion years. Anna had assumed Jenny was attracted to Reed, that her friend had scripted their reconciliation in her head, which Anna hoped involved a lot of groveling on Reed’s part. But in love with him still? After all this time? Actually in love?

“You’re right, though,” Jenny admitted, a soft smile on her face. “The posh accent doesn’t hurt. He sounds like he’s about to take a stroll around the estate, be kind to the help, and propose marriage to a penniless Regency heroine.”

“He left you in a hotel in Paris, alone.”

Anna hadn’t always been a good friend. But when Jenny had needed her, Anna hadn’t hesitated. She’d quit the job she’d accepted that morning, boarded a plane to Paris, and brought Jenny home with her.

“The worst part is I have to live in close proximity with him for the next four weeks, and I forgot to pack shampoo.” Jenny fiddled with the buttons on her cardigan. Anna didn’t pick up on many clues, as interpersonal communication had to be extremely low on the list of things she was good at, but even she guessed that shampoo wasn’t the problem.

“You can have mine,” Anna said, wondering when she’d become the kind of person who had so little to offer.

“I just need to get used to being around him again. I’ll try to be immune to his charms.”