Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Hermione knew she was in trouble the moment Bellatrix Black walked onto set.
Actually, that wasn’t entirely true. She’d known she was in trouble the moment her agent had let slip that the famous actress had accepted the role; the role of Hermione’s love interest in Luna Lovegood’s latest movie, ‘A Touch of Magic’.
She had been a fan of Bellatrix for years, had followed her career avidly as she’d embarked on drama school and had begun her own foray into acting. It had been a long journey, despite graduating with first class honours and the lead role in an off broadway production. The world of movies had somehow managed to evade her until Luna had contacted her through her agent and arranged a meeting. She had seen her on screen in Lone Survivor, a zombie show that had exploded over the past two years and had finally put Hermione’s name on the map.
Meeting Luna had been a dream come true and the writer come director, had immediately thought of Hermione for the title role. It was something she’d discussed with Ginny and her agent at length because the part demanded something that she had yet to perform. A love scene. A love scene with a woman no less.
Hermione was definitely not a prude, but she was also not out, at least not publicly. There had been a picture leaked to the press at the start of Lone Survivor, of her getting rather cozy with an ex, but luckily a much bigger story had blown up at the same time; the messy divorce of a famous musician had swept the gossip rags and relegated Hermione’s to a mere whisper of a scandal.
Damage limitation. She hated that it was even a thing. Hated that in order to begin and sustain a successful acting career she had to hide her sexuality. It was a modern world with openly LGBTQ+ characters on almost every syndicated show and yet it could still impact negatively when a young attractive man or woman suddenly ‘alienated themselves’ from their target demographic fan base.
That was one of the reasons she had taken this part. Finally, she would be able to show everyone who she was, even if it was behind the mask of a fictitious character. This was a chance to dip her toe in the water and see where it led her, and Luna’s movies always attracted the right kind of attention. The question now was how to face Bellatrix Black.
Bellatrix Black was a Hollywood legend. Now in her mid-forties, she had begun her career at seven staring in a sitcom that had lasted till her early teens. From there she’d started to act in movies and had got her big break at the tender age of seventeen when she'd received her first Oscar nomination for her role in a gritty gangster movie. That was the first film Hermione had watched her in and had become hooked immediately. Her father had loved those types of films and they had often curled up with a bucket of popcorn and wasted away a Sunday afternoon. By the time Hermione was the same age, Bellatrix had won an Oscar, along with many other prestigious awards and had carved out a niche for herself under the glare of the LA lights.
She also had a reputation. A reputation that when Hermione had first stumbled across it, had caused her to choke on a mouthful of Diet Coke, the bubbles running out of her nose.
Bellatrix had agreed to a no holes barred interview on a late-night chat show. She’d just celebrated her fortieth birthday and had landed the lead in a movie trilogy. During the interview the questions had gotten quite personal. Hermione had thought them invasive and yet Bellatrix had continued to breeze through them, candidly opening herself up. There had always been rumours about her and it was those rumours along with her acting prowess that had attracted Hermione in the first place, but this interview forever changed the rumour mill. She’d admitted that her marriage of twelve years was just for show; a marriage of convenience that had suited them both. She’d announced that they had parted ways now that Hollywood was less interested in what celebrities did in their private lives and saw no reason to hide her sexuality behind her gay husband. It was front page news of course, and for several weeks afterwards it had been all anyone had talked about. Hermione had even heard people on set discussing it when she’d taken her first job fresh from the stage.
Bellatrix Black’s career didn’t slow down, in fact it escalated and an interview with Ellen had once again garnered her public interest and a swathe of new fans all dying to meet the sultry actress who had defied the odds of her age and her sexuality.
Hermione had fallen in love with her at that point, realising her crush was somehow more attainable, more real, and wonderful than she’d imagined her to be. And now? Now she was going to work with her, two leading actresses in a magical thriller.
She’d questioned the role after reading the script knowing just how sexually explicit a couple of the scenes were and had discussed at length with Ginny whether it would be wise to put herself into such an open role. Would she have backed out had she known that the object of her desire would be playing opposite her? She honestly didn’t know, and it had kept her awake most nights for the weeks leading up to today.
She sighed and threw an arm over her eyes as she reclined on the couch in her trailer. Ginny was due to arrive, and she’d asked her friend if she’d mind being her PA whilst filming. She had jumped at the chance and had left her waitressing job to stand by her side during the transition to Hollywood actress. They had gotten close over the years especially since they had come out to one another over a drunken night of shots and partying till dawn.
Her thoughts went back to the script, one particular scene playing on repeat. She wondered at what point of the schedule Luna would ask her and Bellatrix to do it. She groaned feeling the throb between her legs begin as she imagined being in that position for real with the actress.
“I hope she’s a terrible person. I hope she’s unattractive in the flesh with bad breath and terrible manners.”
She heard the door swing open.
“Who has terrible manners?” Ginny asked, carrying two lattes; a bag of pastries tucked under her arm.
Hermione sat up and took one of the cups in her hands. “Thanks.”
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
Ginny rolled her eyes. “Who were you talking about when I arrived?”
Hermione slumped against the sofa. “Bellatrix Black.”
“Oh. I doubt it. She carries herself with a lot of poise and class.” Her friend replied, ripping off part of a blueberry muffin. “It’s just nerves Mione. I’d be the same if I was going to be starring alongside Sandra Bullock. I’d literally be a gay puddle on the floor.”
“Not helping, plus it’s not just acting alongside her, is it? That, I could do, but this? Kissing, fumbling, half naked…sexified nonsense, is something else entirely.” She huffed.
“Sexified? You do know that’s not a word right?”
Hermione shrugged. “It’s in the urban dictionary, and anyway, it sums up what I’m feeling doesn’t it?”
“Yup.” Ginny said with a soft laugh, followed by more muffin.
“I’ve not even met her yet.”
“Didn’t you read across from her when you auditioned?”
“No. Luna hadn’t cast anyone in the role at that point. Apparently, she’d been waiting to hear back from Bellatrix’s agent as to whether she’d take the part.”
“Without reading for it?” Ginny asked in confusion.
“When you’re that big you don’t have to I guess. Scripts just turn up and you decide what you want to do.”
“Wow. Imagine that. That could be you after this film comes out. And let’s be honest here, you are an incredible actress, but having a big name like hers attached won’t hurt how successful it’ll be.”
“If we have chemistry and I’m not just some useless lesbian all tongue-tied and unable to actually perform.” She sighed, picking at a croissant, hunger evading her as nerves danced in her belly.
“What’s your first scene, or is it just a read through today?”
“Read through. Full cast. Rest of the week some filler scenes and the…the kiss.”
Ginny grinned. “Well how about we get you looking more presentable to meet the crush of your life. Can’t have you dressed in sweatpants with crumbs in your hair. Let’s get you looking fuckable.”
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In just under an hour Hermione was ready to face the world and more importantly Bellatrix Black. When Ginny had reappeared at her door moments ago to inform her that the cast were now gathering in the sound stage, she’d done all she could to calm her nerves. Dressed in tight fitting jeans, heels and a pink scoop neck jumper that hugged her curves, she felt ready for battle. She ran her fingers through her hair, teasing the soft bounce of her curls between her fingers before stepping out of the trailer into the mid-day sun.
“Here’s you script, a pencil and a bottle of water.” Ginny said, handing over the items as the pair strolled into the studio.
Hermione took in the space and watched a couple of men and an over enthusiastic prop woman adding finishing touches to some scenery. She felt the sweat on the back of her neck, unusual considering the air-conditioning. She recognised a couple of faces as she made her way along a corridor, offering a wave and a friendly ‘hello’ as the pair arrived at the sound stage.
Ginny pushed open the door and Hermione stepped in first and spotted a circle of chairs in the centre of the room. Several set pieces were already in situ, and her eyes scanned over them as she remembered the script and where they would feature. When her eyes found ‘her bedroom’ she swallowed hard. It was sumptuous, large; rich colours adding a depth of warmth that she hadn’t considered when she’d imagined it herself. The bed was large and foreboding. ‘A bed I will be rolling around in with Bellatrix. Fuck’.
“Hermione, hi.”
Her eyes met Luna’s, as the young director strode towards her with a beaming smile. She was immediately swept into a tight hug.
“It’s so great to see you again and to have you onboard.”
“I’m sure I should be the one thanking you.” She replied, a slight blush peppering her cheeks.
“Mutually beneficial I would say. Have you met any of the cast yet?” She asked, gesturing towards a few people who were helping themselves to refreshments from a cart close to the chairs.
“No. Not yet.”
Hermione’s eyes flitted over to the group, relieved that Bellatrix was not yet amongst them.
“Well come on over and I’ll introduce you. It’s a small core cast as you know but a fair few extra’s for some of the outdoor scenes.” Luna continued, moving her and Ginny along with her.
Pairs of eyes met hers, as she smiled up at them.
“Hermione Granger this is Cho Chang who will be playing Katie Lange the Medical Examiner, Harry Potter as your rookie sidekick Dan Cliff and Ron Weasley who’s playing the role of Robert Grint.”
“Hi.” She replied, recognising Harry from a tv show she had followed. She shook the hands being proffered.
“Good to meet you. I loved you in Lone Survivor. Gutted when you got killed off though.” Harry said.
“Best thing for the character, and as it happens, me too. Not sure I could have wrangled working across two warring production giants.”
After some conversation with the three actors, they made their way over to take their seats, sitting in their allocated chairs.
“Right, I’m off. Call or text if you need me.” Ginny said with one last smile and a thumbs up before she departed.
“PA?” Cho asked, chewing on the end of her pen.
“Friend first, but yes.”
“Must be nice.” Ron said from across the circle, his smile warm and friendly.
“Definitely helps.” Harry interjected. “Wish I’d had one at school too. Could never quite figure out my own schedule.”
Hermione chuckled before turning her attention to the script on her lap, placing her opened water back down on the floor. She pulled a pencil from her jeans and made a few notes she’d considered earlier on the inside front page to discuss with Luna if they weren’t covered off later.
A few more people took chairs, welcome conversation and laughter flowed comfortably and Hermione already felt it was a good cast she’d enjoy working with. There was however one seat still empty, directly opposite her in fact. Her stomach flipped as she remembered just who would be sliding into it any moment now.
“We should be ready to start in about ten minutes.” Luna stated from her position, flanked by her producer and personal assistant, both of which Hermione had met at her audition.
Her neck still felt hot, a trickle of sweat winded its way between her shoulder blades as she tried to relax her breathing. She knew what it was. It was the feeling of being out of control; a feeling she had long managed to deal with when she’d been crippled by doubt and fear as a teenager. She’d struggled to adjust to the world and being in the spotlight played havoc with her need to hide and blend in, rather than be on display for all to see. What a career she had picked!
Hermione had become a master at managing herself, putting things in boxes and stacking parts of her own psyche away for safe keeping. She’d learnt to breathe, yoga and mindfulness becoming her favourite friends that had steadied her on her rise to becoming a household name. Would this role be her undoing? Would the boxes topple over, their lids flipping off in some spectacular display of exposure that would leave her naked to the world?
She gulped and sucked in a deep breath, eyes flitting around the circle to ensure no one had noticed. It didn’t appear they had, and she sighed in relief. She flicked through the first few pages, cricked her neck, and focused on the words as she prepped for the day. Her pencil tapped lightly on the paper mirroring the rhythmic thump in her chest.
“Ah, you’re here!” Luna said excitedly bounding out of her chair and striding across to the woman who had just entered the building.
“Of course, darling. You know I couldn’t pass up a role in one of your movies. Not one so utterly delicious anyway.” She grinned, like an apex predator.
Both women embraced and kissed one another on the cheek before walking towards the cast.
Hermione knew she was staring. She also knew her mouth was open, as the need to wet her lips was overwhelming. Bellatrix was even more gorgeous in person, if that was entirely possible. She was dressed in black; tailored trousers and heels and a ruffled black shirt that opened very inappropriately at the top, displaying a rather voluptuous amount of creamy cleavage that now had Hermione more than lubricated.
Bellatrix took her seat and pulled her script, along with a pair of glasses, out of her handbag without missing a beat. Confidence radiated from her. It wasn’t her film or her set and yet she was the biggest presence in the room.
“Right.” Luna began, as she stepped into the circle. “I’m sure almost all of you have had a chance for refreshments and brief introductions, so let’s get started. Today is a straight read through with a small break part way through. I’ll signal when. No need for theatrics, it’s simply to get a feel for your character and how they sound to one another. Any questions?”
Hermione looked round the room and caught the eyes of several of the cast who were doing the same. No one spoke. Bellatrix didn’t even look up.
“Excellent. Alright everyone. Scene One.”
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The first half of the script went well Hermione thought and the cast had clearly understood their roles and executed the lines without directorial guidance. Even with Luna’s introduction at the start, she was well aware that a director would at times interrupt a read through if they felt something was off. It was a good sign.
Standing at the refreshment cart she selected a latte and nursed it in her hands as she surveyed the cast intermingling. Clusters were already forming, and she knew she should go over to one and ‘slot in’, but it wasn’t really her thing. She wished Ginny was there to share her thoughts with and gossip to about just how hot her favourite actress was looking right that very moment.
The very moment said actress was staring right back at her with a smirk that suggested she’d been caught staring.
“Fuck.” She mumbled, tearing her gaze away and taking a sip of the coffee. The liquid burnt the end of her tongue. She sucked it back into mouth hoping to soothe the sting of it unsuccessfully.
“You should really blow on it first you know.” A velvet like voice declared beside her.
Hermione froze as goosebumps erupted along her skin at the sound. This was it. This was the moment she would actually meet Bellatrix and she was literally tongue tied due to her stupid coffee addiction.
“Oh…er, yes. Thanks.” She managed still not able to draw her eyes up to meet her idol.
“Catering coffee is the worst. I never touch the stuff.”
Hermione willed herself to look up, otherwise it would look seriously weird, as well as rude. When she did, it felt like every synapse in her body had started to melt down like a nuclear reactor. She felt the flush of arousal crawling up her chest as her heart hammered in her rib cage. Her breathing seemed to stop; her mouth hanging open like a fish. She managed to shut it, the only sensible thing she seemed to be able to do, given the way she was behaving. ‘Say something you moron’.
“So, I’m, er…I’m a massive fan.” ‘God. Anything but that!’ She fought the urge to face palm, instead blushing furiously and attempting her best smile at the same time. It must have looked horrible as Bellatrix’s eyebrow arched questioningly.
“And there I was thinking you were going to formally introduce yourself.”
Hermione swallowed. “Hermione Granger. I’m Hermione Granger.”
“Well, I must say it’s rather wonderful to finally meet the ingenue I’m going to ravish.” Bellatrix purred; her eyes black with sultry confidence.
Hermione’s pupils dilated and she felt the heat pool in her core as dampness clung between her legs. ‘Oh god. I’m so fucked. And oh god, do I want to be’.
She shifted uncomfortably under the intense stare of the older woman, struggling to string together anything that wouldn’t sound lame or desperate. Clearly all her years of avid reading had not helped; words suddenly feeling foreign, like things only ‘put together people’ used to communicate.
“Are you nervous pet?”
Hermione squeaked at the endearment; her head nodded against her will.
Bellatrix chuckled, the sound rich and sexy. Hermione tried to squeeze her thighs together surreptitiously.
“Don’t be. I’m just an actress like you.
“You’re…not just any actress.”
“Don’t let the awards fool you. I’m still just a woman.” Bellatrix stated, her eyes raking down Hermione’s body as if she was assessing just how much of a woman she really was.
“I…I’m just going to…to go and sit down…script…yes…read my script.” She stammered before slinking back to the relative safety of her chair, leaving Bellatrix alone with a cart of crap coffee. She eye rolled as she reached her seat, frustration clawing at her insides. She grabbed the pages of her script into her shaking hands and willed herself to relax.
“You ok?” Cho asked.
“Me? Oh…yes.”
“She seems a bit intense. Bellatrix, I mean. Mind you it’s great she’s onboard. Her name on this will do wonders for the rest of us.” Cho blushed, and Hermione wondered why for a moment, before the girl continued. “And your name too of course. No offence. I didn’t mean to not include you. I’m a fan.” She smiled, hopefully.
“No offence taken. And please don’t worry. I’m happy she’s on this movie too.”
And she was. She really was. The only problem she could foresee, were her raging hormones and the relentless throb between her legs. If only Bellatrix hadn’t been so damn sexy or alluring or friendly. ‘Or looked me up and down like something she wanted to deflower’.
When the second half started, Hermione could feel herself building up to the scene she was dreading; the scene where Bellatrix’s character finally shows her hand and seduces her. It’s raw and graphic and as close to a censorship no-no as it could possibly get. Not to mention a future sex scene, that whilst predominantly under a bed sheet at least, would still require a lot of skin-to-skin contact. On the one hand Hermione would get her fantasy played out; Bellatrix luring her into bed and fucking her into oblivion. On the other hand, however, it was acting; acting with an entire film crew watching with no genuine desire behind it at all. No wonder her mind and body were in direct conflict.
Hermione managed to get through it, by ignoring the pull to meet black eyes that she knew were looking her way. She dug deep, wanting if nothing else, to prove Luna right for casting her as the lead. This was her break, and she wasn’t going to let a stupid crush get in the way of that. Or love for that matter.
Bellatrix didn’t stay afterwards. Hermione watched her air kiss Luna and make her way back out into the Hollywood heat without so much as a backwards glance. Her stomach unfolded and recoiled once more and she wasn’t sure if it was with relief or disappointment. She didn’t question it, instead she passed pleasantries and swapped phone numbers with Cho and Harry before heading to her own trailer.
As she got outside she squinted against the sun and stepped into the shade of the building following a different route to stay cool.
“If it isn’t my little ingenue.” Bellatrix cooed as she stepped into Hermione’s path.
“Jesus! You made me jump.” She clutched her script to her chest.
“Hmm. I do seem to be having a rather negative effect on you today don’t I?” She twirled a ring of black hair around a long pale finger as her eyes fixed Hermione firmly to the spot.
She couldn’t speak. Again. Her throat narrowed and her head hurt trying to think of something but falling short. She was epically proving how completely unprepared for this moment she really was and to the woman who she was going to have to be intimate with. ‘Granger, you’re killing me here!’
“I tell you what.” Bellatrix continued, seeming to sense her awkwardness. “Why don’t I give you my number and you and I can arrange to meet for dinner, my treat. How does that sound?”
“I…” She started, her eyes blinking. She robotically slipped her phone from her pocket, unlocked it and handed it to Bellatrix who typed in her digits before returning it, a smug smile on her kissable lips.
“There. Now make sure you text me.”
“Ok. Sure.”
“Good girl.”
With one last look at Hermione over the top of her sunglasses she turned on her heels and strutted away.
Hermione watched her go, wondering if there was just an extra bit of sway to her hips as she carried herself out of sight. She shook her head of her delirium and made her way to the safety of her trailer hoping Ginny would still be there.
She was. Thankfully. A glass of champagne was ready for her on the table. She lifted it and tipped it back in one, slamming the empty vessel back down.
“Everything alright?” Ginny asked, concern etched on her features.
“Bellatrix…Black.” She managed before sinking back onto the sofa and throwing an arm across her face dramatically. “She was…she is…oh my god, I could barely speak Ginny. It was mortifying.”
“The read through or..?”
“No. That was really good. I’m talking about the two times when she came to talk to me. I made such an idiot of myself. Not to mention the fact that I was so turned on the entire time I don’t even remember half of it.”
Laughter rumbled into the space as Ginny came and sat beside her. “You need to get laid and fast.”
“Urghh. No. I’m not doing that.”
“Why not? We can go out tonight, pick up a couple of good-looking girls and just let our hair down for once.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. You know me.”
“No sex without feelings. I know, but this itch isn’t going to scratch itself.”
“Tell that to my hand.” Hermione smirked. Ginny was the only person alive she was this candid with. Maybe it was because her friend was so utterly open and transparent about every aspect of her life. Plus, she trusted her, and that was a rarity in the industry.
Ginny snorted. “Fair enough. So, what are we going to do about Bellatrix?”
“What indeed.” She sighed, as she took her mobile out and scanned through her contacts to ‘Bella’. That was new. Everyone she’d heard interview her or write articles about her never used an abbreviation. Friends and family maybe? ‘But I’m neither’.
“She gave me her number. Asked me to message. Invited me to dinner.”
“Fuck, that’s awesome! You are going to go, right?”
“I don’t know. It was strange to be honest. If I take apart how she behaved around me, so…so flirty and familiar… Let’s just say, if she’d have been a guy, I’d have been reporting him.”
“But she’s not and you’re insanely head over heels for her, so let’s focus on that.”
Hermione felt a headache coming on, the edges of her brain twinging with a dull thud she was beginning to hear in her ears.
“I’ll think about it.”
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Hermione had Ginny drop her off at home after the two of them had eaten dinner together at little Italian restaurant she had discovered that was suitably off both the tourist trap and the Hollywood paparazzi haunts.
She stripped and showered, enjoying the soft caress of bubbles and the warming scent of shower gel as she washed the day off. She dried and wrapped a towel round her hair before slipping on a pair of satin bed shorts and top. As she got into bed she grabbed the remote and flicked through the channels, trying to select something as suitable background noise. What a mix of options; monster trucks, hoarders, camping in the wild, CNN, baseball, an interview with Bellatrix Black, master chef, friends re-runs… She flicked back a couple of channels and heard the rich laughter of the enigmatic actress fill her bedroom.
She sat back against the headboard and watched Bellatrix talk about an up-and-coming movie, the interviewer hanging on her every word, openly appraising the actress, Hermione realised. Something stirring inside of her at the thought. It twisted further when Bellatrix leant over and placed a hand on the woman’s as they shared a joke, a natural connection. Her guts constricted, squeezed and coiled, replaced with relief when their contact was broken. ‘Is this a new interview? I don’t remember watching it before.’ She mused, wondering if this was about ‘A Touch of Magic’.
She worried her bottom lip and opened her messaging app.
“Just watching your interview with Sara Westbourne. Is it a new one?” She hit send.
“Damn it!” She’d forgotten to include her name.
She opened the app again and was about to identify herself when she received a new message.
“Who is this?”
Her hands shook. “It’s Hermione Granger. We met earlier today.” Her eyes flicked between the tv and her phone’s display. When the word ‘typing’ appeared, she realised she’d been holding her breath.
“Ah. Hermione. Of course, although I think it’s a little late for dinner.”
She could almost hear the tone and see the coy smile that was undoubtedly in Bellatrix’s arsenal of sexual allure. It didn’t help that the actress was on screen being so open and candid, now interacting with the next guest on the show. It had been late to text she noted from the 11:53 Timestamp. ‘I should have waited. I should have waited and come up with a better opening line too. Damn.’
‘Typing’ appeared once more, before Hermione could formulate a suitable response.
“Can’t sleep?”
She typed out several replies, deleting each one in turn as frustration kicked in. She had half a mind to message Ginny and ask her to reply on her behalf. She let out a long breath and hit send.
“Haven’t tried. Channel hopping. I’d not seen this interview before.”
“It’s new. Have you watched many of my interviews then?”
‘Am I supposed to stroke her ego? “Yes. I’m a huge fan, but you’re used to that already.” ‘And you already told her that earlier today. Geez Granger. So not cool’.
“True, although it’s always rather lovely hearing it from someone talented.”
Hermione almost choked on a mouthful of water, managing to swallow it before placing the offending glass back on her nightstand. She was not expecting that, and she couldn’t help the warm glow that spread across her chest or the smile on her lips as she reread the text.
“Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”
“Pish, posh. You need to learn to be your biggest supporter to survive in this industry Miss Granger. And you must also learn how to be around people you look up to without becoming a stammering mess like you did today.”
“This is mortifying!” She gasped aloud. I mean she knew she’d come across like a complete blundering idiot, but to have the object of her affection point it out? Well, that was another thing altogether.
“Sorry.” Simple, but to the point.
“Don’t be. It was rather cute actually ;)”
Hermione’s blood rushed to her ears, the sound numbing the tv and everything else as heat rose in her veins. Before she could think of a reply, which was simply not coming, ‘typing’ appeared and she waited with bated breath for the message to land.
“I will let you rest. Can’t have you unfocused on set now can we? Think about when you’d like dinner. Goodnight ingenue.”
“Goodnight.”
She flung her phone down beside her and pulled her hair free of the towel it was tied up in. She switched off the tv, the last image of Bellatrix engaged in conversation, alive and vibrant.
The room was dark and she slipped beneath the cool sheets, as she slid a hand inside her shorts on autopilot. She needed this. She’d needed it ever since Bellatrix Black had walked onto set. Maybe Ginny had been right. Maybe she should just go out and pick somebody up, but that was too risky now she was too recognisable. She usually got spotted in the farmers market or walking on the beach ever since the tv show has been such a success. Picking up a woman in a bar and assuming no one would see, or tell their story afterwards, was highly unlikely.
No. The only option was to quell the fires herself. Scratch her own itch.
She did just that.
Twice.