FALLING FOR SHAWN

Chapter 21 - Go Too Far

"Again," Barry called. He wasn't upset with the takes, he just liked to be sure, and Shawn got that, he was equally as obsessive when he was recording. And as this was his first day on set, his first time acting on screen in a long time, he was grateful for the extra takes. He and West had developed a warm and friendly chemistry, on set at least. He had not been happy with the newspaper reports inferring there was something going on between he and Shawn. He had just begun seeing someone at home before filming begun and he was having trouble convincing the guy that Shawn was no threat. Camila was more concerned with how he felt about it, she trusted him implicitly, and knew he had no interest in men in that way.

Eventually Barry called cut, and Shawn was happy to get out of the hot sun, but he had more scenes to do so his heavy costume had to stay put. He went to the catering tent to grab lunch and found Louisa there. She had her first scene that afternoon, with him. He was a little nervous. He hadn't spoken to her since she'd stared at him while kissing Belinda, the make-up girl. It had been weird and creepy and he wasn't sure how to talk to her now.

"Mendes, dude, come sit with us!" she called. She and Belinda were sitting close on one side of the table, he took his plate to the other side and sat down warily.

"Do you know Bindy?" she asked, brushing back hair from the girl's face. It was over-the-top and unnecessary and even Belinda looked uncomfortable.

"Hi Shawn," she said. "I gotta get back," she added to Louisa who pouted and kissed her goodbye. He watched Belinda leave, head down, and wondered if West had been right. He had seen people manipulate others before, and he had a bad feeling about the young girl and Louisa.

"What's up with you and Belinda?" he asked casually, nibbling on a carrot stick dipped in humous.

"Just having some fun," she said, giving him a cheeky grin. "Why, you wanna join in?"

After the scene in the restaurant, her words were unnecessary.  He had already got the message.

"No thanks," he smiled at her, looking her right in the eye. "Not my scene. I'm a one woman man, but I guess I should say thanks for the offer." He said it in a way that made it clear that's not how he felt.

"You looked cosy with West though," she said tartly, the smile slipping a bit.

"West is a colleague, we just met, nothing to see there, Louisa, move along."

She pushed her food around on her plate moodily. He noticed how she seemed to swing from animated and bright to dark and brooding, even angry, in a heartbeat. It was disconcerting.

She looked up at him. "You know, if we fucked, we'd have better chemistry on screen."

He tried not to show his shock and revulsion. This girl was off.

"I hear it's the opposite," he said calmly, sipping his smoothie. "Besides, I've read the script, and nothing like that happens, it's just a sweet, unconsummated love story."

"Yeah? I never bother reading past the scene I'm about to shoot." She sounded bored and a bit annoyed. He put down his drink and leaned over the table.

"Louisa, I don't know what game you're playing, with Belinda, with West, with me, but I can tell you a few things right now. I love Camila, I don't cheat, nothing is going to happen between you, me, Belinda or even West. Secondly, we have to shoot a whole movie together, we have kissing scenes, and we need that chemistry we had day one, so get that person back, because if they have to rewrite the script again, and I lose my role or have it chopped back because of you, I'll be pissed. And lastly, if you hurt that girl, I'll be more than pissed. I don't know what your aim is regarding Belinda, but she looks like she thinks she's found the love of her life, and you look like you're playing another role, but just for kicks."