Lessons Learned, Healing Hearts

Green-Eyed Monster (Chapter 10)

Acting turned out to be surprisingly fun. Once Marlow relaxed, she barely noticed the crew buzzing around. Ignazio's goofiness kept things light, and Piero and Gianluca's encouragement made it easier—even when she messed up.

Walking six abreast down the backlot street, Marlow winced as each step in the unforgiving heels sent sharp pains up her calves.

"These heels are killing me."

With an audible sigh, she kicked them off and relished the cool pavement beneath her hot feet.

Piero frowned. "What are you doing?"

"I'm saving my feet," she replied, hustling to catch up.

Without missing a beat, Piero plucked the high heels from her hand and handed them to Gianluca. Then, stepping in front of her, he crouched over.

"Hop on."

Marlow laughed. "That's okay, we're almost there. I'll survive."

"You can't walk barefoot," Piero insisted. "You could step on something, get hurt, bleed everywhere, and shut down production."

Gianluca and Ignazio burst into laughter.

"I'll be fine," she insisted, suppressing a giggle. "Besides, my skirt won't allow me to hop onto your back without giving everyone a show."

Piero snapped his fingers. "Gianluca, give Marlow your suit jacket."

Gianluca held his jacket open. Slipping her arms into the sleeves, Marlow looked down.

"Ahh, still too short."

"Tie it around your waist," Becca suggested.

Laura shot her a hard stare and smacked her arm as Marlow handed the jacket back to Gianluca.

"Piero, I appreciate the concern, but..."

"Marlow!" Piero interrupted, his voice edged with annoyance. "You cannot walk barefoot."

"Then give me my shoes back."

The two of them were locked in a stubborn standoff. As the silence grew thicker, Ignazio eventually pressed a hand to Piero's shoulder, swapping the shoes for the jacket. He then turned to Marlow and, with an exaggerated Sicilian accent, said, "Marlow, darling, you are notta going to win an argumenta with ahhh..." He brought his fingertips together for effect, "Sicilian."

Tying the sleeves snugly around her waist, he winked. "It'sa so sweet that you don't want to makea me jealous, but..."

"But what?" Marlow asked, already dreading the possible answer.

"Look at my brother." Ignazio gestured to Piero, who pushed out his bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. "He only wants to help you. So, as a favour to me, let him."

Marlow rolled her eyes and laughed despite herself. "Fine. But nobody watch."

Piero turned, and Marlow hiked her skirt just enough to allow her to hop onto his back.

"We good?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"Yes."

As Piero adjusted his grip, Marlow caught Laura's cold glare and quickly looked away.

Re-entering the soundstage, Piero veered toward a semi-secluded spot behind a false wall and dipped down, letting Marlow slide off unnoticed.

Adjusting her skirt, she gave him a light shove. "Thanks for rescuing me."

Piero's grin lit up his eyes. "Ci sarò per te."

Marlow had no idea what he had just said, but the soft flush creeping up his neck to the tips of his ears was unexpectedly endearing.