Now Until Forever Read Free Page A

this man in her head. Had she said anything outrageous or offensive? No. She didn’t think so. Although she had to admit, their dialogue had bordered on titillating.
    â€œGood to meet you at last,” Keir said.
    â€œAt last?” she repeated.
    Keir shrugged. “I’ve heard good things about you. Plus, I’ve noticed you buzzing around the sets.”
    â€œHave you now?”
    He nodded, pointing at the Eiffel Tower.
    Smiling stiffly, she said, “I’ll have to remember that you’re always close.”
    â€œThat I am.”
    â€œKeir,” Glo yelped, running up to him. She wrapped an arm around his waist and hugged him close. “I didn’t think you’d grace us with your presence today.”
    He gently detached himself from her embrace but kept an arm around her shoulders. “Why wouldn’t I be here? This is my party.”
    â€œYou’re the boss. I assumed there were more important things to hold your attention,” Glo explained, with a giggle.
    â€œYou guys did a great job. I wanted everyone to know how much I appreciate their efforts,” Keir said. His gaze strayed in Ryan’s direction.
    Glo followed the direction of her boss’s gaze. “Oh, Keir.” She waved a hand at the younger woman. “This is our new set designer, Ryan Mitchell. Keir, Ryan. Ryan, Keir. I don’t think you two have met.”
    The pair shook hands a second time as Glo made introductions. “We were getting acquainted,” Keir explained, again holding Ryan’s hand a second longer than necessary.
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you, Mr. Southhall.” Ryan tugged at her hand, which was still grasped firmly in Keir’s.
    Reluctantly, he released her. “My name is Keir. Mr. Southhall is my dad.”
    Glo laughed out loud, then pointed a long, manicured finger in Ryan’s direction. “Told you.”
    Ryan’s hand felt warm and tingly. She rubbed her fingers over the spot where he’d caressed her skin. “Yes, you did.”
    Frowning, Keir’s gaze focused on the older woman, then shifted to the younger. “What’s so funny?”
    â€œOh, nothing,” Ryan replied. “Glo predicted you would say that about your father. And you did.”
    â€œMmm,” he mumbled softly, stroking his earlobe. “I’ll have to work on my lines. I hate to be predictable.”
    Ryan returned her attention to the antics of the staff, avoiding Keir’s penetrating gaze. You’re far from predictable, Mr. Southhall , she thought, taking a final peek at this handsome man.
    Â 
    Alive with activity, the farmers’ market was stuffed with shoppers. The weather was gorgeous on this particular Saturday morning, simply magnificent for outdoor activities. Delighted to be out and about, Ryan strolled along the rows of vendors, checking the prices and quality of the produce.
    After weeks of nonstop production, One Leaf Studio had shut down and given the staff a complete weekend off. Ryan loved her job and looked forward to each day, but it felt great to be free of the pressure of daily shoots.
    Ryan stopped at a stand and picked up a yellow squash, testing its firmness. Her sister, Helen, and brother, Tony, did Sunday dinner with their baby sister two or three times a year, and Ryan wanted to prepare a great meal. Grilled rainbow trout, green beans, sautéed yellow squash and onions, plus red velvet cake for dessert, should keep them fed, content, and out of her personal affairs for the duration of the evening.
    At the next stand, Ryan was fingering the fresh green beans when the eerie sensation of being watched crept down her spine. She lifted her head and scanned the crowded pavilion until her gaze landed on a familiar figure.
    Keir Southhall. Of all the people she might meet in a place like this, Keir wasn’t on her list. What was he doing here? People like him didn’t shop for their own food. Staff and