On the car ride back, Hunt asked Danielle if she was all right multiple times. She would have found it cute, maybe, had it not been so annoying. Every time he asked, she told him she was perfectly fine. And, still, a few minutes later, he would ask again. Did he think she was lying to not seem like a wuss? She wasn't. It had been terrifying in the moment, sure, but Danielle was fine. The paramedic on set had said as much, and that was what she told Hunt when he asked for what felt like at least the twentieth time.
"He also said you might have a concussion," Hunt countered.
Danielle rolled her eyes. "Right. I'd tell you if I stop feeling fine but, please, just stop asking."
"Very well," he told her after a moment of silence. "I suppose I must trust you to speak up. I can't have you be concussed for filming tomorrow."
Ouch. So had that been the only reason he cared? He was worried she wouldn't be able to keep filming? And there she'd thought he actually cared. Maybe she'd been wrong about him.
"Don't worry," she said, her tone biting. "I'll be there tomorrow."
Hunt gave her a puzzled look but didn't have time to say anything else. They had arrived at the cottage, where Danielle got out of the car first and made her way inside first. By the time she was halfway up the stairs, walking carefully so she wouldn't trip, Hunt had caught up to her.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked her. He didn't sound hostile, but his voice wasn't as soft as it had been earlier, either.
Danielle didn't turn around but kept walking. "To bed. I'm tired. Wasn't it you who said I needed some rest?"
"You do," he agreed. "But someone should keep an eye on you, just in case."
They had reached the top of the stairs now, and Danielle turned around to look at Hunt.
"Good thing I'm sleeping with Chris then," she said and disappeared into their room.
Thomas was standing in the corridor, staring at the door that had just been shut with a little more force than absolutely necessary. He furrowed his brow. What had he done wrong?
Had he made her uncomfortable, after all, during the shoot? Perhaps she'd noticed how he'd stared at her in the water. He may have well reminded her of Viktor with the way he had looked at her tonight. Hell, he reminded himself of the man with the thoughts he'd had!
But he would never, ever stoop to his level. He would never lay a hand on her unless she asked.
Hah! As if she would ever. What an idiotic thought.
Good thing I'm sleeping with Chris then.
As if he needed the reminder. Granted, he hadn't heard them since the first night, but he was acutely aware what went down in that room every night.
It shouldn't have bothered him, either, but it did. Thomas could no longer deny it, not after what he had seen tonight. He stupidly, irresponsibly, had developed an infatuation for Danielle Allen.
With a sigh, he eventually made his way into his own bedroom. He, too, was tired – he'd had a long day.
Thomas was asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. He was not surprised that his dream was full of moonlight, crystal clear water, and a beautiful naked woman.
The next morning came and Danielle still felt fine. It was a relief to her and to Chris, too. When she'd come back and told him what had happened, he'd been worried about her.
Luckily, she did not only feel fine, but was confirmed to be perfectly all right by the paramedic from the night before. As he had promised, he came by to check on her in the morning. They had all already had breakfast and were waiting in the living room until he gave the all-clear for Danielle to get back to filming.
All except for Hunt, of course. He had chosen to wait outside, and Danielle felt a bit bad. She'd not behaved in the best way when they'd come back, but she hadn't thought he would care that much. There she was, failing at this friendship thing again.
They were leaving in two cars that day, and Hunt was still intent on not speaking to her, as it seemed. He elected not to ride in the same one as her.
Pfft. As if it mattered to her. Riding with Chris and Zoe was much more enjoyable, anyway.
For once, the shoot took place without an incident. Thomas had felt embarrassed by his thoughts and dreams last night and had decided to keep his distance from a certain young actress. Judging by the way Danielle didn't pay him any attention, either, that had been the right call.
During breaks, she spoke to her friends and didn't even look at him once. While filming, she was all professionalism, no snark. It was perfectly fine, just the way it should have been.
Thomas didn't like that. He would have much preferred to quarrel with her over not speaking to her at all. But it was perfectly fine, and he had told himself to stay away if she preferred for him to do so.
And yet… thinking of the scene coming up tomorrow, Thomas was filled with dread. Had he not known Chris and Danielle were romantically involved in real life, it might not have mattered. But as it was, filming their romantic scenes tomorrow, he shuddered at the thought of what he might have to endure seeing.