Page 29 of Steamy on Set

“I do.”

An actress. Me? Can I do it? Am I brave enough to try? If I pull this off, I can style myself for the premiere and any other appearances we make. This could be the break-through I need for my career. But acting in a movie with other people is a real commitment. Am I up to the task? People would kill for this kind of break, and here I am scoffing at it. Can I really turn down this opportunity?

“Fine,” I say.

“You’ll do it?”

I nod, getting ready to turn around before I change my mind.

“Okay great! Fantastic.” His legs are bouncing in place as he throws his hands in the air. “Let me get your number so I can text you a time and place for us to meet up tomorrow.”

Walking over, he hands me his phone. I reluctantly put my number in, and when I pass it back, his smile is on in full force, knocking me back a little. Having never seen this buoyant side of him, the positive attitude is a little infectious.

“We have a lot of work to do, but don’t worry, you’re going to do great,” he says as he takes off in the other direction.

I watch him go wondering if I just made the biggest mistake of my life.

The music is blaring as I walk into the house. Monty is throwing her hips from left to right as she rolls her hands in time with her body. A rapper tells her to dip it low, and she does as he says, dropping it to the ground before grinding back up. Popping her arms out to the beat, she is too busy to notice me watching her. I wait for the song to end, then I turn the music down and get her attention.

“Oh, hey.” A heavy breath escapes her before she is gulping down air again. Grabbing for the towel on the chair, she wipes away the excess sweat.

“Are you rehearsing?”

Smiling wide, she throws her braids over her shoulder and nods.

“What do you think?”

“I think you look amazing. You are going to kill whatever audition you get.”

The corners of her eyes crinkle as her mouth grows even wider.

“How was work?”

We both slide onto the couch, folding into ourselves. I can feel my hands tremor as I think back on today and the colossal mistake I made.

“Errol was literally waiting for me when I got in, and then he made the most insane request.”

Her green eyes widen.

“He wants you to quit? Or even worse, he wants you to say sorry, too? Wait, was it that he wants to take you on a date?” Of all of her guesses, her last one pulls me up short.

“What? No.” Why would he ask me on a date? I cut her off before she can continue. “It’s crazier than anything you could think of. He wants me to fill the lead female role in the movie.”

Her hands fly to her mouth as she throws herself back into the cushion. I wait for the excitement to shake out in her legs before I keep going.

“He’s literally insane, and so am I because I said yes.”

“Bitch, no you didn’t! This is amazing.” She stands up and jumps around the room, clapping her hands.

“No it’s not, it’s a mistake, and I have to plead temporary insanity when I tell him I changed my mind.”

“Don’t you dare. You’re going to do this.” Pulling me up with her, she drags us into the middle of the room. “You have the literal opportunity of a lifetime. People dream of being picked out of the fray like this to star in a movie. There is no way in hell you can turn that down.”

“I’m not an actress,” I say, trying to convey all the panic that bubbles in my throat at the thought.

“Who cares. A few months ago, you weren’t a costume designer, either. Look at the opportunities you’re already getting. Imagine the doors this will open for you.” She lets go of me, moving to grab a bottle of sparkling wine from our fridge. “Who knows, maybe you will even love doing this and find a new passion. Either way, what do you gain out of turning it down?”

Nothing. I would gain nothing from turning it down, and possibly everything from taking it on, and that scares the hell out of me. But when did I let fear be a deterrent for my life choices?

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