Anna used the break to answer questions from the art director and the costume designer. The first week on set was always a blur of decisions to be made and issues to be ironed out. Anna hoped things would begin to flow better as the cast and crew had more days working with her at the helm.

John met her eye. He nodded, and she knew they were ready to get started.

Anna walked over to where Cole and Matteo stood behind the camera.

Matteo ran a hand through his hair. “It is fine. You do not need to make adjustments. Look for yourself.”

“I’m in charge of these decisions,” Cole said, raising his voice.

Technically, Cole wasn’t wrong. The cinematographer had the final word on all decisions relating to the camera, lighting, and each particular shot, but Cole’s lengthy process was creating too many delays. Under the current circumstances, Anna wasn’t as concerned with the expression of either her or Cole’s artistic vision as much as getting the movie done with competency. The dailies had been good, and she didn’t want to get behind schedule.

“Break’s over,” Anna said as she stood next to the two men.

“I’ve got the final word,” Cole reiterated.

Anna leaned down to look through the scope on the camera. She viewed Derek and Nicole, standing on their marks, chatting in a stilted but amicable way, as they waited for the take to begin. The electrician had finished lighting the scene.

“It looks fine,” Anna said.

Matteo nodded in agreement.

Cole narrowed his eyes at Anna.

She needed to make it clear that regardless of the autonomy of his position, at the end of the day, he worked for her. “I appreciate your commitment to this production, but this scene is framed, lit, and ready to go.”

“Are your actors ready?” Cole asked with a sneer. “They’re the problem here.”

Derek whispered something in Nicole’s ear that made her laugh.

“They’re ready.”

When the set quieted, she called action, and the clapper loader called the take.

John stood next to her. He rocked on his heels, shoving his hands into his pockets. Warmth radiated off him. She shivered, remembering him close in that alley. The memories never left her—the wall scraping her back, her legs around his waist, and the softness of his lips. She shouldn’t let the memories resurface this way, but the set was a quiet hush as the two actors said their lines, showing a spontaneous outpouring of affection, rather than behaving like two malfunctioning androids. Anna let out a breath as Derek rubbed his thumb over Nicole’s cheek. It was so reminiscent of that afternoon, Anna had trouble keeping her own breath in check. She watched as the actors leaned in for a sweet kiss.

She glanced over at John. “Your brother must’ve had a good time at prom.”