Casey was mid-laugh when a knock came at the trailer door, followed by it swinging open.
"Got your bagel, and Alani," Trish announced, stepping in with a small brown bag and a can in hand. She handed them to Casey and turned to Nicholas. "And you," she said, giving him a mock stern look, "need to go get changed. They're setting up the next scene, so we're starting soon."
Nicholas groaned playfully, rolling his eyes at Casey. She took a bite of her bagel, smiling. "Duty calls, Mr. Chavez."
Nicholas stood up, grabbing his phone off the couch. "Wait here for me, okay? I'll be back in a bit once I've changed, and then we can head over to set together."
"Sure thing," Casey replied, watching him leave the trailer. Her stomach fluttered a little, though she couldn't pinpoint if it was from the bagel or the fact that she'd just spent the morning in Nicholas Chavez's trailer, chatting like they were old friends.
She sipped on her Alani and pulled out her phone, scrolling absentmindedly through Instagram while she waited. Just as she was about to check her emails, a new text from Maya popped up.
imessage
8:54 am
maya
how's it going??? did you get
there ok??
case
oh my god you will not
believe where i am right now
maya
try me
case
IN HIS TRAILER
maya
i hate you
case
🫶🫶
Casey snickered to herself, typing back a quick response, but before she could hit send, the trailer door opened again. Nicholas was back, this time dressed in costume—a white zip up jacket with a navy strip and jeans that made him look younger, more intense. He caught her looking at him and smirked. "Don't laugh. I know it's not exactly flattering."
"No, you look... great," Casey said, the honesty surprising herself.
Nicholas raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. "Come on, they're setting up already. Let's head over."
They walked side by side toward the set, the lot buzzing with activity. Nicholas slowed his pace just enough so they could keep talking, but it was clear he had a lot on his mind.
"About the tour," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I completely forgot we were supposed to do that earlier. We'll fit it in during lunch or after we wrap for the day. Or," he grinned, "you could just come back tomorrow."
Casey shook her head, laughing. "You're really trying to get me back here, huh?"
"Can you blame me?" he asked with a shrug, giving her a mischievous look.
Before Casey could respond, they arrived at the set, and Nicholas was immediately pulled into conversations with the director and other crew members. He turned to her briefly, giving her a quick smile. "There's a chair over there," he gestured toward the corner, "sit tight, I'll come find you when we break."
"Good luck," she called after him, feeling a strange sense of pride watching him shift so effortlessly into work mode.
Casey found a seat in the corner, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible. The set was a flurry of activity—cameras being adjusted, crew members moving equipment, and actors running through lines. Nicholas was at the center of it all, listening intently to the director as they discussed the upcoming scene.
