Chapter 1: First Impressions

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Jessica adjusted her jacket, nerves bubbling just beneath her confident smile. The sleek glass doors opened, and she stepped into the conference room. Around the table sat a handful of people: the director, a couple of producers, the writers, and across from them... him. Paul Walker.

He sat casually, a loose shirt over his broad shoulders, with a charm that radiated effortlessly. He looked up as she entered, his blue eyes catching her off guard. She'd seen his movies, of course, and heard about his reputation—a bit of a thrill-seeker, laid-back and kind—but there was something more to seeing him in person, a magnetism that was impossible to ignore.

"Jessica," the director called out, snapping her back to the moment. "Welcome! Take a seat."

She slid into the empty chair across from Paul, giving him a quick smile as she settled in. He grinned back, a lopsided smile that almost seemed to say, This is going to be fun.

The director dove straight into business, explaining the vision for Into the Blue and the dynamic they wanted for the characters. As he talked about the need for their characters, Jared and Sam, to have undeniable chemistry, Jessica found herself stealing glances at Paul. There was an ease to him, a calm confidence, and even though they hadn't exchanged a single word, she felt strangely comfortable.

"We'll need you two to spend quite a bit of time together before shooting starts," the director said, turning his gaze between them. "This isn't just about rehearsing lines. We need a natural connection. Chemistry on screen comes from trust and comfort off screen."

Jessica glanced over at Paul, who nodded thoughtfully, then shot her a playful look.

"No problem," he said smoothly. "We can start practicing right now if she's up for it."

She felt herself blushing at the implication, trying to keep her cool. "I'm sure I can keep up," she replied, matching his tone with a playful smile.

The meeting continued, laying out schedules and expectations, but Jessica was barely taking it in. She kept noticing the way Paul's gaze occasionally drifted her way, his faint smile as though he already knew something she didn't. It felt like a game, one she wasn't sure she could resist playing.

As everyone began to gather their things and stand up, Jessica's manager gave her a rundown of some schedules and logistics. She was just tucking her notes into her bag when Paul approached her, hands in his pockets, with that same easy grin.

"Hey, Jessica," he said, his voice smooth and relaxed. "I know we've got all these 'official' bonding activities planned, but... maybe we could speed things up." He held up his phone with a raised brow. "You want to exchange numbers?"

She blinked, momentarily thrown off by his forwardness. But there was something disarming about him, something genuine that kept her from feeling self-conscious. She found herself smiling, unable to resist the little thrill his words sparked.

"Sure," she replied, reaching for her own phone. "Just don't spam me."

He laughed, typing his number in. "I'll do my best."

After they exchanged numbers, he leaned in slightly, his voice lower and softer. "I have a feeling this is going to be a lot of fun, Jessica."

She felt a flutter in her chest as his eyes met hers, a spark of anticipation in the air between them. As he walked away, she couldn't help but smile to herself, knowing that this was only the beginning.

Time Skip

That evening, Jessica's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number, and she didn't have to guess who it was.

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