Chapter 7: Rehearsal Games
662 Words
Lena had barely recovered from the photoshoot when the first full rehearsal rolled around.
The script in her hands felt heavier than usual as she stepped into the rehearsal studio. Most of the cast and crew were already there, chatting amongst themselves, but her eyes immediately landed on him.
Noah.
He was lounging on one of the couches like he had all the time in the world, scrolling through his phone. Effortlessly cool, as always.
And unfortunately, as soon as he spotted her, that familiar smirk appeared.
"Rookie," he greeted, stretching out as if he'd just woken up from the world's best nap. "You look—" he paused, tilting his head, "—flustered. Thinking about the photoshoot?"
Lena inhaled sharply, gripping her script. Do not engage.
She walked past him without a word and settled into a chair on the opposite side of the room. But of course, Noah wasn't the type to let things go.
He strolled over and leaned down beside her, voice low. "You know, if that forehead kiss rattled you, you're really going to struggle when we get to the real thing."
Lena turned her head slowly, leveling him with a look. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Noah grinned. "Oh, you definitely do."
Before she could respond, Katherine clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.
"Alright, we're jumping into blocking some of the major scenes today," she announced. "And, lucky for us, we're starting with one of the biggest moments between Elliot and Sophia."
Lena stiffened.
Noah's smirk grew. "This just keeps getting better."
Katherine flipped through her notes. "This is the scene where Sophia finally lets her walls down, and Elliot—well, he makes sure she never doubts his feelings again."
A hushed excitement rippled through the cast.
Lena swallowed. Oh no.
Katherine looked up. "Which means, Lena, Noah—you two are going to practice the big kiss today."
Lena nearly dropped her script.
Noah, on the other hand, looked way too pleased. "Guess we're getting this out of the way early," he mused, flashing her a grin.
Lena's stomach flipped. This was fine. Totally fine.
She was a professional.
This was just a job.
It didn't matter that Noah Sinclair was irritatingly attractive or that his presence made her pulse race for all the wrong reasons.
She could do this.
Katherine gestured to the center of the room. "Let's start from the lead-up. Just go through the dialogue, and when the moment feels right, lean into the kiss."
Lena exhaled, stepping into place.
Noah moved in front of her, and just like that, he transformed. Gone was the smug, teasing actor. In his place was Elliot—intense, passionate, completely and utterly in love with Sophia.
His gaze locked onto hers, dark and unreadable.
ELLIOT: "You don't have to be afraid anymore, Sophia. You don't have to keep running."
Lena swallowed, forcing herself to stay focused.
SOPHIA: "I'm not running."
ELLIOT: "Then prove it."
A thick silence settled between them.
Lena knew what came next. She knew what she was supposed to do.
But before she could move, Noah took the lead.
His hand found her waist, his fingers pressing just enough to make her breath hitch. His other hand brushed her cheek, tilting her face up.
And then—
He leaned in.
It was slow, deliberate. Just before their lips met—
Noah paused.
A smirk ghosted across his lips. "Nervous, rookie?"
Lena shoved him.
Noah stumbled back, laughing as the entire room erupted in chuckles.
"Oh, come on," he teased, rubbing his chest where she'd pushed him. "That was perfect."
Lena glared at him, cheeks burning. "You're the worst."
Katherine groaned. "Noah, stop messing around. Again. Properly this time."
Noah straightened, still grinning. "Yes, ma'am."
Lena clenched her fists, steeling herself.
She would get through this.
She wouldn't let Noah Sinclair get under her skin.
No matter how many times she had to kiss him.
- Writer
