Page 49 of Off Script
Carlisle sets me up with a near perfect opportunity to broach the subject of a possible showmance with Willa, but I hesitate before responding.
I want to figure out the depth of my feelings for Carlisle before I decide if it’s worth risking our relationship to land a film role. So, I chicken out and give her a brief synopsis of both films instead.
“Well, I can’t wait to see them.” Pushing her plate away from her, she places her napkin on the table and stretches her arms above her head. "I'm stuffed. Thank you for dinner. It was delicious."
Throughout the meal, my phone has been vibrating in my pocket from text message notifications. I’ve been ignoring them, wanting Carlisle to have my undivided attention. But when she slips away to use the restroom, I check my phone—and then immediately wish I hadn't.
TREVOR
Still on for our training session tomorrow?
JOJO
I’m heading home in a few. Need anything from me before I leave?
FYI—I reserved a flight to Austin for Thanksgiving in case you decide to go. (Mama Sutton has been calling me too.) LMK if I should cancel it. Currently set to depart LA on Wednesday morning and return home on Friday afternoon.
PIPSQUEAK
What’s the plan, love? I’m game if you are. Want to be my boyfriend? Wink, wink.
JADA
Give our earlier discussion some serious thought. I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I didn’t think it was necessary. Talk soon.
BECKY
If you agree to the PR relationship, the studio wants to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. You’re staying in town for Thanksgiving, right?
After scanning my texts quickly, I feel the walls closing in around me. As much as I want to ignore Willa and the possibility of a fauxmance with her, I can’t.
I have a decision to make.
However, Joanna’s texts supply me with an idea for an escape, at least for a few days.
I shoot off texts to Becky, Jada, and Willa informing them that I'll be out of town for Thanksgiving and that I won’t take any more meetings until after the holiday. They’ll have to wait until after Thanksgiving for an answer, which allows me a week to debate my next move.
During that time, I must figure out what Carlisle and I are to one another, and if what we have together is strong enough to withstand a fake relationship with another woman.
Or if my relationship with Carlisle is special enough for me to dig my heels in and refuse to participate in the arranged relationship with Willa.
Hearing Carlisle’s approaching footsteps upon the wood floors, I slip my phone back into my pocket and vow to make the most of the time I have with Carlisle. Starting right now.
“Hey, what are your plans next week for Thanksgiving?”
The worry lines etched on her face are at odds with her soft, flippant voice. “Not sure yet. Probably stay home and watch the Macy’s Day parade while eating a whole pumpkin pie by myself. You?”
“You’re not going home to Mississippi?” I question, my eyebrows lifting in astonishment. Today might be my lucky day after all.
“Not this year,” she answers quietly. “As you know, my relationship with my dad isn’t great, so I waited for an invitation from him. I didn’t want to buy a plane ticket before I knew what their plans were. Anyway, when I finally spoke to Monica, my dad’s new wife, she informed me that they’re going to visit her family in Alabama.”
“You don’t want to go to Alabama with them?”
Pain flashes on her face. “I wasn’t invited.”
“That sucks. You can see them at Christmas though, right?”
She shakes her head ruefully. “Dad, Monica, and the twins are going to Mexico for Christmas. They’re staying at a house on the beach, but unfortunately, it only has two bedrooms so there isn’t room for me to join them.” She has a smile on her face when she says the words, but I can see the hurt that she tries valiantly to conceal. “Basically, I wasn’t invited. Again.”
