Page 76 of Steamy on Set

Everyone moves into position, and we start the scene.

This is the reunion between Dante and Fiona. The moment both characters decide to embark on the journey of being in relationship again. The bitterness of watching a love story restart, when mine might be ending, twists my gut. I try to tap into the emotion of how I felt with Errol and I’s first kiss to sell the lines of interest and admiration. It seems to work well enough, since we barely have to go through it before moving on.

No longer needed, I step to the side and watch the rest of the filming take place. A couple of hours later, and things are coming to a close. People slowly gather around, waiting to hear the words that bring us to an end. Obliging them, Errol stands in front of us all like he did day one and gives a speech.

“Thank you everyone for all the hard work you have put in on this movie. It would not be possible without the contributions of each one of you. I believe what we have done here is amazing, and worthwhile, and that is due in part to all of us. I can say with grace and excitement that it’s a wrap.”

Some people applaud, while others just stare him down. I have to wonder if it’s the news of us that keeps them from clapping as their faces look withdrawn and stern. He pulls my attention back to him before I can start to spiral, trying to interpret their looks.

“Oh, and party at my place tonight,” he says before stepping down.

Instantly crowded by people, I don’t have a chance to pull him to the side. I doubt I will get to today. Maybe tonight at the event. Trying to catch his eyes to check on him before I go, he looks everywhere but at me while walking off with a few people in the opposite direction.

I head home, unsure of where we stand and what will come next. I know I’ll have to figure it out, and tonight might determine all of that.

Chapter 28

IknowIshouldbe getting ready, but my head is so full of worry, all I have done since getting home is sit on my bed and overthink what happened. I tried to call Errol, but every attempt goes right to voicemail.

Mira no doubt has spread the word about me and Errol letting everyone in the crew in on our little secret. The fallout will play out at the party, and we’ll be faced with our first challenge as a couple. Will this be the end of us?

I mean, what good would it do to break up with me now? I don’t even think he would. So why am I so worried? I think about Christian, and how the first thing that went wrong in our relationship was the thing that ruined us. Will this be different?

Music blasts in the background of my thoughts as Monty gets ready to come with me. I invited her for moral support, and as the good friend she is, she decided to come along. I stand, making my way over to the vanity in my room, pulling my hair out of the bun it’s been in since I left the set.

My face is still full of the makeup Laurie did, and a few touch ups is all I need to be ready. With a slicked ponytail and a few baby hairs laid out, I head to my closet. Putting on a skin tight green velvet dress, I adjust the off-the-shoulder sleeves before turning to go. We meet in the living room, both of us looking like knockouts. I hope my armor of clothing will work to keep me protected while seeking him out at this party.

As we pull up, the streets are packed with cars lining every open spot. We have to park a few blocks over and walk to his house. By the time we reach it, my feet are upset by my choice in shoes. We open the door to enter into a barrage of people. Everywhere we look there is someone standing or sitting.

So used to his home, to see it in this context makes me feel like a foreigner. Even though I have lain naked on almost every surface in here, part of me feels like I should have knocked before entering. It’s a weird sensation of otherness that throws me off a little as I search through the crowd for Errol. Monty goes to explore his home and see where I spend all my time.

Not finding him in the living room and dining room, I move into the kitchen to check if he is in there. He isn’t, so I let out a sigh.

Just as I’m about to turn and leave, someone calls my name. Looking over my shoulder, I spot Tiffany waving at me. Unsure of what she could possibly have to say after the disaster that was our last meeting, I turn and wait for her to yell at me now that we’re no longer co-workers.

“Hey, you look great,” she says beaming.

Not expecting a compliment, her niceness instantly throws me off. I give her a quick once-over. She has switched out her normal jeans and flannel for a cute mini skirt and sequined top, making her look stylish.

“You also look very cute,” I say, trying my hand at friendliness. I wait for her to flip a switch and turn into the raging bitch I expected, but she keeps smiling at me as she talks.

“I’ve been wanting to thank you. At first I was really upset by what you did, but it ended up pushing me to improve. I’ve been taking some classes on Black hair and trying to familiarize myself with it more. Who knew it was so different from white people’s?”

My hand flies to my chest in shock. Not only is she admitting that she was wrong, but she’s now also thanking me for pointing it out. I expected her to take this opportunity to trash me, but instead she’s doing the opposite. Well good, I’m glad she is learning. As an industry stylist, she should have already known, but it’s progress.

“That’s awesome. I’m glad you took the initiative.”

She looks ready to hug me. I cross my arms, making sure that’s not possible. As she talks to me about things I already know about my hair, I listen and indulge her, trying to keep my eyes from searching the room. When she seems to have spilled everything she learned about textured hair, she smiles wider.

“Well anyway, I also want to say you did great. I got to see some of your scenes, and I couldn’t tell that this was your first gig. Are you going to keep it up?”

Having had weeks to think about this, I often asked myself the same question. My heart and passion will always be in clothes, but this could be a way to supplement my income and introduce me to celebrities. A foot in the door.

Realistically, how many more roles could I get, though? This one worked out because I was essentially just being myself.

“Thanks. I don’t know. Time will tell. I have an agent, so it is based on what I can get at this point.”

With a wish of luck, we say goodbye and I head back out to search. Having looked through all the common areas, I find myself back in the living room next to Monty.

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