A Humble Heart (Hollywood Hearts 1)

“Hmm, for starters I want to make sure I can make it to my doctor’s appointments. That’s nonnegotiable.”

“Done,” Eric said. “I’ll hire an OBGYN to come to the set if needed. What else?”

“Edward gets top billing. This isn’t my main thing, it’s his. He’s the pro, I’m not. His name should come first.”

Eric seemed to mull it over for a moment. “Okay fine.” Edward looked at her overwhelmed by her selflessness. Truth be told, he could care less whose name went first, he just wanted an opportunity to work with her. From what he heard from friends in the industry she was a natural.

“Also, Edward needs to be allowed to come to any doctor’s appointments he wants. It’s not necessary for him to come to all of them, but there are some that he’ll want to make.”

“That’s fine,” Eric said, nodding slowly.

“I want healthy food available for her on set,” Edward added. “Plenty of fruits and whatever else the doctor says she needs to eat.”

“I think we can manage that,” Eric said, grinning. As far as demands went, these two were easy. Most celebrities tried using demands as power plays. Some actually demanded ridiculous things like separating all the colors of their M & M’s, a hundred percent Egyptian cotton or silk on everything in their trailers from sheets to the goddamn couch. That’s one of the reasons the studio was pushing to work with Edward and Dana. They were professional, down to earth, no nonsense actors. He also already had these things set up that they were asking for and more.

Hell, he had about a dozen more things set up just to accommodate her and the kids. Normally he hated when actors brought their kids to work, but he was such a sucker for her kids. He was hoping she’d let him put them in a few films. The kids were too damn cute.

“So, I was in the room earlier when they were watching the sex scenes,” Nick added casually.

Dana closed her eyes, hoping to prepare herself for what was about to be said. “I have to say I was impressed. I could tell those moves weren’t something you learned recently. Care to share?”

“Eric, can I get back to you tonight?” Dana asked.

“Sure.”

“Ah, Dana, I have to talk to you. I have a list of interviews I need you to do. Plus I need to tell you we would like to renew your contract for another five books,” Rick said.

“Okay Rick, send it to my lawyer. I’ll sign as soon as she goes over it with me.”

He smiled. “Excellent.”

Dana stood up to leave. “Wait. We’re all waiting to hear where you learned those erotic moves you displayed so well in those scenes.”

Edward looked like he was going to kill Nick. She grabbed Nick by the arm and pulled him towards the door. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

“Damn you’re so pushy,” Nick grumbled. “But I like it.”

*******

Edward watched as Dana pulled Nick out of the room. He wasn’t having that. He jumped to his feet and grabbed his script. “Ah, Edward, perhaps you should calm down. Nick’s just playing. They’re really good friends, she’s safe with him,” Rick said, trying to stop him.

He pushed past Rick and made his way into the hall. They weren’t there. He walked around the huge space and found Dana standing against the wall with her head dropped back and her eyes closed. She was tense, he knew that look.

Without stopping he walked up to her and claimed her mouth. He kissed her with little regard for the dozens of pairs of eyes that were that were without a doubt fixed on them. Her arms wound around his neck as she returned the kiss.

“I’m sorry, baby,” he mumbled against her lips.

She gently pushed him away. “It’s okay.” She ran her fingers gently down his cheek.

Nick stepped out of his office. “I see you two made up. You can thank me later, Dana.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I guess my plans just evaporated for the night.”

“Yes, I wouldn’t mind a night with my guy. Can I give you a rain check?”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Nick said, giving her a lopsided grin.

Edward took her hand and grabbed the helmet from Nick. “Thanks, Nick,” he said smugly.

“You still haven’t told me why you picked him over me,” Nick pointed out.

A playful smile tugged at Dana’s lips. She released Edward’s hand and moved to Nick's side. She gently pulled him down so she could whisper in his ear. Edward watched as Nick froze and his expression turned into shock. Dana stepped back and shrugged. Nick looked at Edward. “I’ll be damned,” he muttered.

“What did you say to him?” Edward asked when they were alone in the elevator.

She shook her head. “Sorry sweetie, if I told you I’m afraid your head would get too big.”

He groaned. “That’s worse than not telling me. Now I need to know.”

*******

“You want to go to a movie?” Dana asked skeptically.

Edward pulled into the theatre complex parking lot. “Yes, I want to take my fiancé to a movie before she’s too big to make it down the aisle.”

She stuck her tongue at him as she climbed out of the car. He met her around the front of the car and put his arm around her shoulders.

“Who gets to pick the movie?” she asked.

He scoffed, “I do of course.”

“Of course,” she said dryly.

“You can pick if you tell me what you told Nick,” he said casually, but she knew he was dying to know what she said.

“You can pick the movie.”

Damn it, he thought he had her. He desperately wanted to know what Dana could say to shut Nick up. It was about him, what she thought of him, so he really wanted to know.

“You buy the tickets. I’ll get the snacks,” Dana said once they stepped into the movie theatre's lobby.

“Okay, baby.” He put his arm around her and kissed her.

“Awe.” People around them made noises of approval, making them both laugh.

“Anything in particular you want?” she asked.

“You know what I like.”

Dana made her way to the concession line while Edward waited in the ticket line. He kept looking back to make sure she was okay.

“I’m such a big fan of hers,” an old woman in front of him said, drawing his attention.

“I am, too.” He smiled.

“I thought you did such a good job as Christian young man. In fact I’m here to see it for the second time,” she said brightly.