Page 86 of Score
“And our winner is,” Jill shouts, “setting a new record and ignoring the fact that this is the first time we ever did this shit, so thereisno record—”
“Mommy said a bad word,” Sienna chirps, covering Jill’s mouth.
“—Verity!” Jill mumbles through her daughter’s fingers. “With six apples!”
Verity jumps up and down like she’s won a car onThe Price Is Right. She’s one of those people—a bud when you first meet her, closed tight, but over time, as she becomes more comfortable, unfurls. She must have bonded with the crew while I was in New York for her to be this uninhibited.
“You did it!” A tall guy with dirty blond hair picks her up and spins her around, his arm under her ass.
The smile freezes on my face. My hands stop mid-clap.
Who the hell is he?
“Oh my God!” Verity screeches, laughing at him and tapping his shoulder. “Put me down, Chris.”
Yeah, Chris. Put her the fuck down.
He slowly—it feels reallllly slow to me—lowers her to the ground. I’ve always wondered what people mean when they say heart eyes, what that looks like. Now I know. That has to be the best way to describe the goofy way Chris looks at Verity. She’s oblivious, stripping off the plastic poncho and shaking her hair out so it settles around her shoulders. Needless to say, Chris is riveted. I’m still watching the Chris of Hearts show when Jill steps up beside me.
“Welcome back,” she says, reaching up for a one-armed hug.
“Thanks.” I keep one eye on lover boy over at the apples.
“Productive trip?”
Chris squats to slip one red shoe onto Verity’s foot, her hand on his shoulder to stabilize herself.
“Monk?” Jill says pointedly. “Isaid, ‘Productive trip?’”
“Huh?” I force focus to Jill, peering down into her green eyes. “Yeah, got lots done. Hey, who’s the guy over by the apples?”
“By the apples?” Jill asks tongue in cheek. “Or by Verity?”
“Screw you. What’s his story?”
“Touchyyyyyy.” Her laugh is evil. “So our little screenwriter, huh? Damn, I’m good. I mean, can I call it, or can I call it?”
“You’re not as cute as you think you are. What’s up with Chris?”
“He works with production.” She shifts Sienna on her hip and brushes the curls from her daughter’s forehead. “Nice guy.”
“I’m sure he is.” I turn to face her. “I think you need him over here.”
“Oh, do I?” Her lips quirk and she lifts one brow. “You and Canon and these girls.”
“I’ll go get him for you.”
I walk over to the table and stop in front of them.
“And then I thought…” Verity’s words trail off, and the open expression on her face seconds ago falls away, a guard slipping into place when her eyes meet mine.
“Hey, Chris,” I say, ignoring her. “ItisChris, right?”
“Yeah,” he replies with an easy smile. “Welcome back, Monk.”
“Thanks,” I say, forcing a smile in return. “I think Jill needs you.”
“Needs me for what?” His brows pinch and he looks over at Jill, who rolls her eyes and waves.
