Page 82 of The Actor: Harrison

I nod before turning around and walking out of his office.

When I park the car and walk into my house, I’m disappointed to find it empty. It’s not even possible that she’d be here. She doesn’t have the keys and unless Aaron helped her in, she can’t sneak in here and wait for me. But somehow, I hoped to find her here. My heart wanted her so badly, my reason threw away the logic.

I walk into my empty living room and turn around, taking in the silence of this place. It’s fantastic to have privacy here in Hollywood, but sometimes life can be lonely.

I lay my eyes on the computer and I’m tempted to open it and reread the screenplay. I don’t, only because I know I’ll find something to fix, something to change, another word that fits better in every dialogue exchange.

Every time I read it, I see how imperfect it is, but Sienna already has it, with all the imperfections and the flaws I put down. I could give her a new version but for what? Yet another chance to tell me it doesn’t work?

I’m so focused on staring at my computer that my phone ringing startles me. Aaron’s name flashes on the screen and I’m tempted to send it straight to voicemail. But maybe Sienna called him like she did yesterday. She has no reason to, but clearly my heart didn’t get the memo and it’s hammering in my chest.

“Hey! Why are you calling? Couldn’t use your keys to barge into my house like the last two times?” I joke but there is a subtle question in my words: Is he going to bring Sienna here again?

He chuckles and I can hear traffic noise in the background. “Move your ass out of that house and come to The Jail. We need to talk.”

“Who says I’m at home?” I hate how well he knows me.

“Do you really think Leonard wouldn’t tell me you were there today? He whined the whole time and was ecstatic when you went home.” I can hear the grin through the phone.

“That asshole,” I mumble but I can’t keep a smile off my face.

“Move your ass and get here,” he orders.

“Can’t we do it tomorrow? I’m tired.” And I want to be home if Sienna comes here.

“No. I’m already here and I don’t want to dine alone.”

“Don’t you have someone waiting at home?” Now I’m just messing with him.

“Not tonight. She’s filming a late scene.”

“So, I’m your booty call?”

“Shut up. Come on,” he chuckles.

“Give me a few minutes to get there. I just got home.”

“My driver is already at your gate,” he says and I’m a bit surprised. He never sends his driver.

“Is this a kidnapping? Did you think I was going to bail?” I joke but now I’m just curious about this dinner.

When I walk into the restaurant, the first person I spot at the table is Alan Leery and his lanky figure. Weird. Then I lay my eyes on the seat next to him and see Aaron, which is even more weird. But what throws me off completely is who I see seated across from them. I’d recognize that raven mane anywhere.

Sienna turns around like she can feel my eyes burning into her back. She smiles at me and I don’t know if this is a strange party I’m walking into or an ambush.

Aaron follows her gaze and finds me staring at the most peculiar dinner I’ve ever been invited to.

“Finally, you’re here,” he says as I take the place next to Sienna who reaches out her hand and squeezes mine under the table.

“I don’t know if I should be happy or worried you’re here,” I confess.

Alan gives me a smug smile and I don’t know how to feel. He and Aaron are the most powerful producers in Hollywood. They’ve worked together many times and have brought home Emmys and Oscars like it’s the easiest thing in the world. Which is why I feel so nervous about this meeting.

“Do you want to do the honors?” Aaron asks Sienna and she straightens her spine, like she’s tasked with a very important responsibility.

She nods and turns toward me. “I read your screenplay and I think it’s the most brilliant script I have ever had in my hands. It’s clever, sarcastic, deep, and has what it takes to become an instant classic. I’d do anything to direct it and I’ve already begun asking help from the best producers I know,” she says firmly.

Her words have a strange effect on me. My heart hammers in my chest, the blood rushes to my ears, my hands become clammy, but the most unsettling feeling is disbelief at her words.

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