Best Friends Forever: A Steamy Friends-to-Lovers Romance: Husky Men Do It Better, #2

Chapter One

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* Jill *

What started as any other day, shooting a popular cooking show at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, has turned into an impromptu crew meeting. This is going to suck. The news that our executive producer, Claire, plans to announce couldn’t be any worse.

I’ve just finished rounding everyone up, when Claire begins her announcement.

Guys! You might have been wondering why we went off schedule today and where I’ve been all afternoon. She pauses to allow the swell of chatter to die down around us."The rumors are true. It was nice while it lasted, but I’m sorry to announce that Decadent Desserts is no more."

The tension is palpable, and as a result, I can feel a nervous giggle getting stuck somewhere halfway up my throat. Not now, dammit!

I glance around the crowd of two dozen fellow crew members to distract myself as well as figure out what everyone must be thinking. Some look surprised, others, not so much. One girl—Nicole, who does the make-up—has a smug smirk on her face. Weird. For all she knows, she’s about to lose her job along with the rest of us.

Finally, my eyes land on Damien—my favorite person in the world—and I relax. Although he’s the tallest guy in the room by far, he’s doing his best to blend in. Of course he fails. Hard as he may try, he’ll never be just one of the crowd.

Our eyes meet for just a second, and the corner of my mouth starts to twitch with the beginnings of a smile. A smile is still better than actually laughing out loud like I normally would at the worst possible time. Considering the gravity of what Claire has just announced, it would just be misinterpreted.

I warned Damien earlier that something big was going to happen today, to ensure he wouldn’t be taken by surprise. He guessed the details from there. So now he’s looking at me already in support, during what he knows is a stressful situation for me.

We look out for each other like that. That’s what best friends do. Short of secret handshakes or matching bracelets, that’s exactly what we are and have been, ever since we started interning together a couple of years ago. Looking at how comfortable we are around each other, you’d think we’ve known each other forever, and not just since college.

Once the rest of the crew calms down, Claire carries on. "I want to make it very clear that I don’t blame anyone here, and neither does the network. We delivered excellent work on the previous season, and this season was on track to become a winner as well. Byron’s career has run its course, in part due to his own attitude and behavior, and in part—well, I don’t need to tell you what was really going on here. The full story will hit the tabloids soon enough, so you can all read up on it in your own time. The big news for us is that the network will launch Ethan to fill Byron’s time slot after rebranding. I’m sure I speak for everyone here that we wish him all the best, because he truly deserves it."

A murmur travels around the crowd. Many of my colleagues nod solemnly.

Although it was supposed to be Byron Ainsworth who was the star of Decadent Desserts, nobody liked him. No one. He won’t be missed. Claire is right. Ethan earned his big break. It helps that the mouthwatering recipes featured on the show were his all along.

So, what’s the timeline for the rebrand? our director of photography, Gavin, pipes up.

Claire clicks her tongue. That’s the catch. It could be a few months. It depends on what the suits decide. In any case, I won’t be around for that project. Craig will be back from paternity leave by then, so he’ll handle it. I’ve informed him of the change already.

Are they changing the whole look: everything? Stevie, the set designer, asks.

Claire nods. They want to give Ethan a fresh start, so yes, there will be a completely new set. The exact direction for the new show hasn’t been decided yet, but I’m sure Craig will reach out to you once he gets more details.

I exhale sharply. Tough crowd. But then, Claire knows how to handle these things. I’m glad she briefed me in advance, or I would’ve freaked out by now. It’s a tough gig, being an executive producer. I don’t know how she makes it look so easy. Maybe one day I’ll be as chill as she is.

Unfortunately, that means that for now, all our contracts stand cancelled. We simply don’t have a show to shoot anymore.

Now the news has hit home. The intensity of the whispers around the room has swelled again.

But— Claire raises her voice in an attempt to get everyone’s attention again. There is a tiny little silver lining! While the rebrand takes place, I’ve been given a small budget to sign a few of you on for a reality show…

Fucking hate reality TV, Gavin complains. The hours are too long.

The hours won’t be too bad, as it’s going to be shot episodically, Claire says.

How many of us? one of the post-production team, Susan, asks.

The contract is only for a short six-episode season to test the waters, so it’s going to be a small budget and hence a tight crew. We’ll wrap it up within a couple of months, and then we’ll see. Claire turns to me and points at the sheet of paper in my hand.

My heart is racing now. It’s my last chance to get what I want. I glance at the short-listed names Claire had given me earlier and lean in close enough to have a word with her.

Hey, I really do think you’re going to need someone else on camera, I whisper. No matter how compelling the material is, if the camera work is too basic, we’ll never get renewed for a second season.

She stares at me for a second, then nods. Fine. Damien is in. But that means I won’t have the finances to hire help for you. So…?

I’ll do it all. Just make sure you get Damien, I urge her. You’ll thank me later.

Claire straightens herself. Gavin, if you’d do me the honor?

No odd hours or complex locations? he asks.

Promise. Single location. Fixed camera angles. Regular schedule. No funny business.

Done.

And your man, Damien, she says.

Gavin shrugs and folds his arms. Sweet relief. I knew I could get my way with Claire, so the only remaining kink in my plan was Gavin, who could have vetoed Claire’s request.

I keep my eyes trained on Damien, who meets my gaze across the room and smiles. Yep, he’s realized that I made this happen. After everything he’s been telling me about saving up to move out of his cramped house share, I simply had to. And even otherwise. I’m friendly with the entire crew, but things between Damien and I are at another level. I live for the little breaks we spend together every day. The chit chat about pop culture, life, or even the weather and the chance to just be myself with another person who would never judge me for it.

Luke on sound. Stevie, I’d like you to be in charge of the set. Susan and Kate, I need you for post-production and story development. Nicole will be doing the make-up, and last but not least, Jill, will be my ever-present eyes and ears and fill in anywhere else. Claire turns to me and winks.

I know she means it. Anywhere else. Fine. As long as Damien is on the crew, I’ll do it. I’ll do the recruiting. The babysitting of contestants. The paperwork. Talking people down when they’re inevitably having a meltdown. Fetching refreshments. Anything.

I wish I had better news for the rest of you. Hopefully the rebrand will happen quickly and you can all sign on with Craig for Ethan’s new show eventually.

Claire clears her throat again. Guys, everyone! We’ve got until tomorrow evening to pack up the set and clear out. Let’s do what we can today and grab a few drinks tonight as sort of a farewell before finishing up in the morning.

Most everyone murmurs in agreement before going about their business. Come rain or shine, great ratings or cancellations, the show must go on. The more seasoned members of the crew are used to the drill by now. Some might even be glad to get the time off.

Soon enough, only Claire’s new skeleton crew is left standing in a semi-circle around her.

What’s the concept? Luke asks. It’s not a bloody talent show, is it? Because in that case I’d need extra resources.

It’s a dating show. Nothing you couldn’t manage in your sleep, Claire says.

Luke just shrugs. Gavin and Stevie have also got their poker faces firmly on.

Now that Damien is on the team, I’m getting more and more excited, though. Dating reality shows are my guilty pleasure. The long hours we tend to work don’t leave much time for vegging out in front of the TV, so it’ll be good fun helping create one.

And a tiny little part of me is wondering if following around a bunch of singles actively trying to find love is going to invite Cupid back into my own life. I hope so. I’ve been single for a couple of years now; it’s well beyond time for a change.

Well, this is all I’ve got for the moment. Expect a call from me soon. Meanwhile, let’s get back to it! Claire says, ending the meeting.

Damien takes a position right next to me and gently bumps into my shoulder. This brief contact between us makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Thanks for putting in a good word, hey!

I smile awkwardly. Don’t mention it. You would have done the same thing.

What was the catch? Don’t think I didn’t notice the little negotiation between you and Claire.

Ah, it’s no big deal. Only my very own assistant. A chance to outsource all the irritating menial tasks that need doing for a show like this in favor of taking on more responsibility in influencing the actual creative direction. It’s a worthwhile trade-off, though. I love having someone on set who will always be on my side.

Liar, he says.

Fine. Claire was going to hire another assistant.

Damien scoffs. Cutting down on cinematics in favor of an extra production assistant would have been a bad call.

I smile briefly. Only a camera operator would say that with so much conviction.

"That’s what I told her. It’s all