Page 17 of Just Beachy

“Well, we need to get back to figuring out our space. We hope to be able to open the shop within the next few weeks,” Nikki says. “But don’t be a stranger.”

“Seriously,” Maddie adds as she, Nikki, and Bitsy head back inside. “Stop by anytime. And we’re still doingsunset toasts—we alternate between Bella Flora and the Sunshine—come join us whenever you can.”

“Will do.”

I move to stand behind Kyra and Troy as they roll tape for aDo Overpromo.

“Good grief, Chase, you’re standing in my light,” Avery complains.

“I am not.”

“Are too.”

“We’re rolling, you know!” Troy shouts.

“And we need both of you in the shot,” Kyra adds more gently. “Lighting is perfect on both of you, Avery. I swear.”

But Chase and Avery continue to argue about everything from trim colors to completion dates, to whether or not to remove the basement pool that’s been there since the Y was built in the twenties.

“Cut. That’s a wrap,” Kyra shouts.

“Wow,” I say to Avery and Chase. “That whole arguing-on-camera thing was very convincing. I had no idea you two could act.”

Avery snorts. Chase folds his arms across his chest.

“Who’s acting?” They say this in unison, and neither of them is smiling.

• • •

Kyra, Troy, andI stroll over to Ferg’s for lunch then say our goodbyes. On my way back to Grand’s, I stop off at Ted Peters as promised. When I get back to Grand’s, there’s a note on the kitchen counter—Out with Brian. Back between4 and 5—so I retrieve my laptop and head out onto the balcony, where I stare at the water and breathe deeply before calling my agent.

“Oh, hi, Sydney. How are you doing?” Elise, his assistant, asks.

“Great.” I try not to let even a hint of sarcasm into my voice.

“Oh, that’s…that’s good.”

I’ve learned over the years to be careful not to whine or, God forbid, cry. Because that’s how calls “accidentally” get dropped.

“I need to speak to Marty.”

“Oh, he’s not here right now. Can I take a message?”

“When do you expect him back?”

“It’s, um, I’m not sure.”

This, of course, is a big fat lie because an agent’s assistant is always required to know where the boss is at all times. So chances are Marty is standing there motioning for her to say he’s out or tied up.

But being a good liar is a prerequisite for gatekeepers in Hollywood. It could cost Elise her job if she put anyone through without permission, and that goes double for clients who’ve been dropped from their ongoing starring role without warning and are persona non grata in Tinsel Town. What I don’t know is whether the non grata part is nationwide and extends into much smaller markets or barrier islands off the west coast of Florida…well, you get my drift.

“I’m sorry, Sydney, I don’t have a way of reaching himright now. But I promise I’ll make sure he knows that you called.”

“I’ll hold you to that. And you might mention that as far as I know, he’s still representing me, and the very least he needs to do is call me back and let me know what’s going on.”

“Absolutely. Will do, Sydney. Have a nice day.”

Since I need to dosomething, I go to backstage.com, pull up casting calls “near me,” and am reassured to see that there’s a lot of production going on in the area. What I don’t know is whether the local casting directors have an attitude about Cassie Everheart, her struggle with alcohol, or the actress who played her.

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