Abigail Mills walked on the crowded sound stage and looked around. She took a deep breath, held it in a second longer and blew it out. Both her hands were tightly clasped her short nails digging into the palm of her hands. She opened her hands and shook them out. She felt more nervous than she thought. She's been on a sound stage before with huge major film stars but she never acted with Ichabod Crane. At least Katrina was going to be there for support and for Ichabod. Abbie sighed. She lifted her hand and tucked a curly loose coil behind her ear.

Katrina was her friend. She knew Katrina Van Tassel for a few years now and knew she would make her feel comfortable and welcomed. Ichabod Crane, was another story. She didn't know much about him except seeing him in all his films. She binged watched Ichabod Crane's old films on Netflix since she learned she had the part.  Ichabod Crane is the great romantic lead after Brad Pitt. Every woman was in love with him. Every man envied him. And she was going to be his leading lady. Abbie's stomach lurched. She suddenly felt she was going to throw up her breakfast on the sound stage. She decided to eat light.  A lightly toasted Thomas's English Muffin but even that was in danger of leaving her stomach. Abbie heard that Ichabod Crane was cold and distant when he first meets his leading ladies. Abbie hoped Ichabod Crane will like her. She was so nervous.

Abbie folded her arms across her chest and looked down at herself at what she was wearing. It was a bright lemon yellow linen sun dress, with a wide waist with a white strap. The skirt below is short and flirty and reached just above her knees. It showed off her shapely bronze legs. Her best feature. Her shoes were yellow and white 2'inch wedges. Abbie's dark brown hair is piled high on top of her head, with small curls framing her face. She looked fresh, young, cool and ready to tackle the part. Inside, she was a total nervous wreck. She wanted to run home to hide under the covers. Abbie sucked in her last breath for luck and let it out.

Abbie watched as people pushed or pulled things around her on the set. She didn't see Katrina or Ichabod Crane.  Abbie gave up and walked to her trailer only to stop when she heard two voices in conversation. A male and a female.

The female's voice was soft and whispery with a touch of an English accent. The male's voice was deep, smooth with a heavier English accent. She recognized the voices as Katrina's and Ichabod Crane's. Abbie smiled. Ichabod Crane's voice sounded just like he did in his films. They sounded like they were deep in the middle of a conversation. Abbie turned around to see them talking under the bright white set lights.

Her eyes rested on Ichabod.  Abbie blinked twice. Her eyes grew huge. Her mouth opened. Abbie stared at Ichabod Crane.  He wasn't what she expected he would look like in person. The bright film set lights above him brought out the red highlights from his short reddish brown hair combed neat over a high forehead. His nose was long and straight, aquiline. His eyes were a deep blue with full red lips. Ichabod Crane wore a long black dress coat, skinny blue jeans and a gray long tee shirt with broad shoulders underneath. Ichabod Crane was quite dashing. He was gorgeous when he was animated. His eyebrow lifted. His red full lips moving and face expressive as he spoke to Katrina. Abbie was mesmerized. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Relax. Don't get so star struck.

Katrina and Ichabod looked like they were really deep in conversation.  Abbie knew about Ichabod Crane and Katrina Van tassel as a couple from all the celebrity magazines and the celebrity shows. Their body language told her so as well by the intimate way they stood close to each other, whispering. Each in the other's personal space and very intimate. 

A line creased between Abbie's eyebrows as she folded her arms tighter against her chest. She lowered her eyes and cursed. She caught herself staring at Ichabod, again. Abbie shook her head, again. Stop it! She giggled and shook her head. Abbie was about to look away. Then Ichabod raised his eyes to meet hers. Abbie froze. Her eyes widened as Ichabod's jaw dropped for a second and then shut close. The corner of his full lips twitched. Katrina stopped talking and turned to look over her shoulder to see what captured Ichabod's attention. Her green eyes lit up when she saw Abbie.

"Abbie. You're here!" Katrina exclaimed. "I was so happy when Luke told me you're going to be in the movie with Ichabod."

Abbie's lips turned up into a smile.

Katrina smiled back.  Ichabod's eyebrow lifted. His expression was impassive with no emotion.

"Have you've met Ichabod, yet?" Katrina asked. She swiped her long bright red braid off her left shoulder and grabbed Abbie's small hand. Abbie let Katrina pull her toward them. Abbie loudly cleared her throat.

"Nnno, not yet," Abbie stuttered. "LLuke was supposed to introduce us. It is nice to meet you Mr. Crane." 

Abbie swallowed nervously. Ichabod furrowed his brow. His  blue eyes slowly scanned over her face and looked deep into her dark brown eyes. Abbie felt her cheeks flush. She didn't lower her eyes. Instead she looked back defiantly at him and reached out her small hand for Ichabod Crane to shake. Ichabod lifted his chin and looked down his nose at her. His full lips raised at the corners of his mouth. He reached down to sweep her small hand into his. He gently squeezed her hand and pumped it once and then twice. They still held hands after the handshake. As if they never wanted to let go.

"Indeed it is. Ms Mills," he answered in a low voice. "Luke has told me a lot about you. In fact he was supposed to introduce us."

Katrina's brow furrowed. Her mouth dropped open.

"Luke hasn't introduced you two, yet?"Katrina asked."I'm surprised. Well, I'm happy I am the first to do so. And you really should call Abbie by her first name, Ichabod. She is going to be your leading lady."

Abbie pressed her lips together. Katrina stared at both Ichabod and Abbie.

"I'd rather that we should remain friendly but buisness like don't you agree Ms. Mills?" Ichabod replied.

His voice neutral. Ichabod finally released Abbie's hand and returned it to his side. He opened and closed his hand and rubbed his long fingers together. Then he brought his hands behind his back. Ichabod leaned forward and smiled.

Abbie's eyebrows lifted. Ichabod stared down at her. She didn't look away from his intense stare.

"If that is your wish, Ichabod,"Abbie said flatly. "But, I think I would rather call you, Ichabod."    

Ichabod's forehead creased.

Abbie tilted her head and smiled coyly up at Ichabod.

Ichabod's frown softened into a smile. His eyebrows lifted over one eye. He leaned forward even closer. A gleam in his eye.  He sniffed at her.

"If that is your wish. Ms. Mills,"Ichabod whispered. "But pray may I ask what is that perfume you're wearing? It's intoxicating."

The line at Abbie's forehead creased and then softened. She smiled and lifted her chin up at him.

"It's a HALLS menthol," Abbie stated." I have a cold. See."

Abbie opened her mouth and let her pink wet tongue move the cough drop in her mouth. Then she let it click against a tooth. A small smirk played at the corner of her lips.

Abbie realized Ichabod was testing her. He fed her her cue from the new script Luke just send them last night. 

    Ichabod smiled back. He nodded.

"Hmm," Ichabod hummed. "Very nicely done, Ms. Mills."

Ichabod Crane straightened his back. He was impressed. The pretty ingenue knew her lines.

"Thank you, Crane," Abbie said.  She let her tongue peek out between her full lips and licked her lips.

Ichabod's eyes caught the action. His whole body grew hot from head to toe.  He swallowed and slowly exhaled his breath.

Katrina threaded her arms over her chest. Her forehead creased in a frown as she stared at Abbie and Ichabod. Were they flirting? Of course they weren't. The intense electricity that sizzled between them was only for show, for the film. Make believe. That's all. Right? Katrina nodded, making herself believe she only imagined the attraction she saw between Ichabod and Abbie to be real. Except Katrina felt like she was witnessing an intimate moment between two lovers. It was palpable. Katrina shook her head. Bravo, Luke Morales. She applauded the director for his brilliant casting of Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mills as the leads for his romantic film.

"What are you two doing just standing here goofing off,"Luke laughed."I gave you two ten minutes to study your new lines."

Abbie turned to see Luke Morales walk up to her and Crane. He wore black skinny jeans, a black tee-shirt and black sneakers. He tossed his long shaggy dark brown hair aside and smiled at Katrina and his two stars. 

Abbie and Ichabod turned to look at Luke.

"We already know it!" Both proclaimed. They then smiled and laughed. The ice was broken.

Luke Morales smiled as his eyes rested on Ichabod and Abbie. He caught the exchange between his two leads when they met a second ago. The chemistry he hoped for was there. Yes. Luke sighed with relief. He was more than satisfied.

Luke shifted his eyes to Ichabod. His expression serious.

"Can I borrow you for a sec,  Ichabod?" Luke asked. "Will you please excuse us, ladies."

"Yes. Of course," Katrina replied. Abbie nodded.

Ichabod turned to both Abbie and Katrina and smiled. Ichabod opened his mouth to speak when Luke whipped around and snatched Abbie's small hand up in his. Luke raised her hand to his lips and looked deep into Abbie's eyes.

"Welcome, Abigail,"Luke murmured quietly."I am so very happy you are joining us in making this film. I apologize I wasn't here to welcome you earlier, my dear."

He smiled and kissed her hand. Abbie's breath shortened when she felt Luke's hot lips lightly sweep over the back of her hand.

"Thank you,"Abbie gasped."I..I am happy to be here."

Luke's smile brightened and he winked at Abbie. Then he turned back to Ichabod.

"Ok, lets go," Luke said. "I want to talk over the scene before we film."

Ichabod frowned at Luke as he walked away and then turned back to Katrina and Abbie.

"Ladies." Ichabod nodded and followed Luke.

Abbie and Katrina watched Ichabod walk away. 

Abbie shook her head. She let out a low whistle.

"Wow! Crane is so nice,"Abbie said. "He's definitely not what I expected him to be."

"What did you expect?" 

  "I've always heard Ichabod Crane was aloof to his leading ladies," Abbie chuckled. "That he doesn't really talk to them."

Abbie focused her eyes on the set where Ichabod and Luke now sat on a large couch talking.

"He was aloof at first,"Katrina said flatly. "he didn't think you knew the script. He tested you."

"Yes and changed his tune when I actually knew it," Abbie chuckled."I think he was really impressed. He was so much friendlier when he realized I actually knew my lines."

Katrina was silent. She clenched her jaw and straighten her back.  Katrina narrowed her eyes at Abbie and then smiled.

"Of course he would be friendly, Abbie,"Katrina muttered sweetly."you're my friend. He knows we're close and he knows what it would mean to me if he treated you nicely."

Abbie's lips turned down slightly as she lowered her head.

"Oh, right,"Abbie answered despondently. "That's it. Well that's great, then. How are you two doing these days, relationship wise? Are you guys still in love?"  

Abbie quickly teased quick to change the subject.

"Ichabod and I have decided to cool things off a little,"Katrina answered. "We still double date with friends, though. In fact we are going on a double date with friends tonight. But I am hopeful we will get back together real soon."

"I hope you do too." Abbie folded her hands in front of her and lowered her eyes. She sighed. The extreme white hot chemistry she felt with Ichabod Crane was only make believe, Abbie. It was sided. She thought. She shook off her earlier fangirl fantasy of maybe wanting something more than just a friendship with Ichabod Crane. It was a fantasy and this was real life. It was never going to happen. She tilted her head and side eyed Katrina. Katrina's lips spread into a smile.

"So, what do you think of Ichabod?"Katrina asked.

Katrina watched Abbie's eyes meet hers before turning away, again.

"Hmmm. He's quite impressive,"Abbie answered. "quite dashing. He's really intense and focused. I'm impressed by his dedication to his acting."

"Oh, yes. Acting is the only thing he cares about or thinks about," Katrina answered. "Believe me."

"Still very impressive," Abbie whispered. She smiled up at her friend.

"Yes." Katrina laughed."He stays in his trailer studying his lines when he is on set to get them and his character absolutely perfect."

"Yes. I heard about that in US magazine," Abbie chuckled. "He rarely leaves his trailer when he is working on a film. Is it true he hates to go to the make up trailer because the ceiling is too low?"

"Yes," Katrina laughed."He hates the low ceiling in the makeup trailer. He has to lean all the way forward like a hunch back whenever he goes. He always argues with Luke about doing his makeup on the set instead of in the trailer."

Katrina and Abbie laughed at the image of hunchback Ichabod Crane.

Katrina nodded her head. Abbie and Ichabod were only acting earlier their parts. Katrina had nothing to worry about it.

"Come on let's go to the makeup trailer and gossip until they call you back for the scene,"Katrina laughed.

"Ok, lets." Abbie laughed and nodded. 

Luke and Ichabod sat inside the large colorful living room set. He leaned his back against the leather lounge chair. A black pen clamped between his perfect white teeth as he watched Abigail Mills walk away with Katrina to the makeup trailer.  His eyes only on Abigail Mills. She was more beautiful in person than she was in the magazine. Her large dark almond eyes were so a deep brown, Ichabod found himself lost in them. He couldn't look away. Her beautiful smooth mocha skin. Her full bottom lip and her cupid bow upper lip. Abbie Mills was flawlessly beautiful in person. So unprofessional, Ichabod. He sighed.

To be continued....

A/N Hi I just wanted to drop a note to say I hope you all like this. This is for a friend who wanted to see Ichabod as famous Hollywood actor and Abbie as a young up and coming star. Myhiggins25 if you are here. Thanks. Chapter three will be soon. I just have to edit it. Lol Please aim all flaming arrows or rotten tomatoes at the author above this title. Lol Better yet aim it at Myhiggins25. Just kidding. Love you Mary! Bye