Page 68 of The Kissing Part
I close my eyes, and images of Owen flash through my mind:
His warm brown eyes gazing into mine while we make love.
Sprawled naked on his stomach in bed, grumbling, “Bye,” as I leave at five a.m.
His smile when I return home that lights up his face.
I’ve got it bad. If things go well in Vancouver, I’m thinking of proposing to him. He proposed to me before, and now it’s my turn. I can do the unconventional and make my own path in life.
My phone rings, and I check the screen. It’s my agent, Will. He’s a bulldog, always fighting to get me more money and better opportunities. He likes to say, “Where there’s a Will, there’s a way.”
I answer. “Hey, Will. How’s it going?”
“Great! You remember the untitled Oliver Nuckowski project that was working its way through the studios?”
I sit up. “Of course I remember.” Oliver is a writer/director known for epic stories with big budgets that kill at the box office. I read the script for his latest project set in a fantasy world with a quest led by a kickass woman, Nala. She’s everything—smart, fearless, funny, but also capable of deep love. The script made me laugh and cry. I met with him months ago to talk about the project. I’m fortunate to have a body of work that speaks for itself and don’t need to audition anymore.
“Did I get it?” I ask.
“You got it!”
I cheer and do a little happy dance in my seat while Will goes over the terms of my contract. I’m barely paying attention, knowing Will has my back, when he says, “Small hiccup. The production schedule creates a conflict withThe Highlighter. I can get you out of your contract with them, and then it’s full steam ahead.”The Highlighteris the indie movie I was set to film in Vancouver in less than two weeks.
And I convinced Owen to go with me for a job with their studio. Shit. I can’t let my career screw things up with Owen again. Things are going so well.
“Will, I can’t leave Craig and Darla in the lurch like this.” That’s the producer and director ofThe Highlighter.
And I can’t leave Owen in the lurch either.
“They’ll find someone else.”
“It’s less than two weeks.”
“Shayla, I know you want to do this little indie film for the street cred, but there will be other indie films. You can do a dozen of them after you land this whale. Nala is a once-in-a-lifetime role. It has franchise potential. I’m talking sequels, a world of interconnected films, comic books, video games, merchandise. You’ll be a role model to little girls all over the world.”
That gets me. I want girls to own their power, especially since I felt so powerless as a little girl with my controlling mother and working with adults in the industry.
“I would hate to miss out on this project,” I say.
“You’re making the right decision. Let me hammer out the details with Spotlight Pictures, and I’ll get back to you when it’s official. And I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of the importance of secrecy while I work my magic on this end. Don’t share your news with a soul, got it?”
I hesitate. I really want to tell Owen. I need to explain the change of plans and that he probably won’t have a job with the indie film studio.
“Shayla?”
“Can I just tell my boyfriend?”
“No one.”
“Got it.”
“Oh, and filming will be in LA, so you can settle in back at home. I’d love to take you to lunch when you get here.”
“Sure, but, uh, do you think Craig and Darla will hold it against me?”
“Shayla, you’re going to be so big after this, no one can afford to hold a grudge. You’ll be gold. Everyone’s going to want you, even Craig and Darla.”
“I’d like to send them a note, saying I hope we can work together again. Oh, I might have the perfect replacement. My friend Vanessa Billings just ended a long run on a sitcom and might like to try an indie film to show off her versatility. I’ll get in touch with her.”
