Page 25 of Spit Screen

“Do I need wine?”

I wink. “No, but I might.” I pour us each a glass and hand one to Addison. “How was your visit?”

“Great. I still can’t believe they’re moving to the East Coast.”

“Mm. I’m going to climb out on a limb and guess you’d hoped Christie would be interested in this new show you’ve outlined.”

“I’m that obvious, huh?” Addison asks.

“Only to me. Why didn’t you talk to me?”

“Em, I don’t want to push you into something.”

“Honey, talking isn’t pushing.” I sip my wine and set it aside. “Tell me what you want to do, Addy.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You.”

“I want to create something with you.”

“I thought we were doing that.”

“Yes, but don’t you miss it?”

“Acting?”

“Being on a show,” Addison says.

I take a deep breath and nod. “I do, but there is a lot to consider.”

“Yeah. And now the main thing that might pull us back to California won’t be there.”

“That’s true.” I watch Addison’s shoulders slump in defeat. “Addy?”

“I feel it, Em—this show could be something special.”

A smile stretches my lips. Everything Addison writes is special, but I know what she means. It’s a chance for us to create something entirely new and memorable—something different fromOff Screenbut just as magical. “Then I guess we should find a way to make it happen.”

Addison's head pops up, and her gaze narrows.

“What did you think I would say?” I ask.

“I don’t know. I didn’t think you?—”

“Addy, there are a lot of things we need to discuss—things that extend far beyond selling the concept, casting, and budget realities. If we decide to do this—to launch a new series together—it will mean changing our lives. It will mean changing our children’s lives.”

“I know. And that’s the thing. I don’t want to move our family to someplace where we aren’t close to family. I mean, Jeff and Sandra are close to LA. And we have friends there, but it’s not the same as here. And I can’t ask you to make a?—”

Addison is beginning to ramble. “Addy.”

“What?”

“Maybe you need to change your lens.”

“Huh?”

Addison is the most sensitive person I’ve ever met. She’s incredibly resilient, but she feels everything intensely. Sometimes, it causes Addison’s field of view to narrow. “You’ve zoomed in so close you can’t see the whole picture.”

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