Page 47 of The Sitcom Star
Some people wrote about her as if she was an overnight success, just because they’d never heard of her beforeChu’s Restaurant, but she had many credits to her name.And in addition to those, there were the countless times she hadn’t gotten the part.She’d dealt with lots of rejection, yet somehow the possibility of this one was scarier than anything else.
Still, that didn’t mean she couldn’t survive it.
Last night, Adrian had dreamt of having Maddie in his bed…and against a tree in a jungle…and on the back of a flying turtle.(Look, it was a dream.He didn’t have control over his subconscious.) When he awoke, he could practically taste her on his lips.
It had only been a few days, but God, he missed her.
Saturday afternoon, he met up with his friends on Devon and Sydney’s back patio.Sadie sat in Devon’s arms as the rest of them helped themselves to charcuterie and wine.Adrian hadn’t expected his friends to want to hang out again so soon, but as it turned out, they were worried about him.
“You’ve been mopey in the group chat lately,” Noah said.
“I haven’t been mopey,” Adrian protested.“What made you think that?”
Noah just shrugged, and Sydney nodded her agreement.
“You could have brought Maddie,” she said, “or is that why you’ve been mopey?What happened?”When Adrian didn’t say anything, her voice became gentler than usual.“Did she turn you down?”
“No, I didn’t give her the chance to do that.I’m too scared to ask her.She’s Maddie Ng, and I’m…” He gestured to himself.
“You don’t think you’re good enough for her?”
“How could I be when she’s so amazing?But I think I could be a great partner.IknowI could be, and she’s never made me feel as if I’m not enough, but…” He shoved his hands through his hair.“She makes me so twisted up!Like I’m not myself.”
“Because you feel more for her than anyone else,” Sydney said, “even if it hasn’t been that long.And you don’t know how to deal with that.”
Noah nodded.“I thought you two were good together.”
“Does this have something to do with Janine?”Sydney asked gently.“You were never cocky, but you have a sort of easy confidence that dimmed a little after she dumped you.”
“She was right to end that relationship,” Adrian said.
“Yeah, you didn’t belong together, but she didn’t have to say those things to you.She wasn’t too good for you.She was too different, and she wanted you to be someone you’re not.You aren’t career-oriented, but that’s not a flaw.”
“Maddie is very different from me, too.”
“Maybe ‘different’ was the wrong word, but you have a lot to offer her.Youfit, don’t you?”
Devon didn’t say anything, but he nodded.
“Sure, you aren’t on some stupid list for hot men like her co-star,” Sydney said, “but I don’t think she cares.She’s attracted to you, isn’t she?”
Yes, the time they’d spent together in bed certainly suggested she was.
Noah patted Adrian’s shoulder.“You have to say something.I think it’ll work out, but if it doesn’t…we’ll be here.”
Adrian looked at the people in front of him, people who’d known him for years—aside from Sadie, but she’d known him all her life; they’d had their first video call when she was three days old.During the months when it had been too dangerous to meet up regularly, they’d still talked often.He trusted these people, didn’t he?
Sydney and Devon had met when they were eighteen and had only ever dated each other.They didn’t know what it was like to be single in your thirties, to be unable to forget your ex’s parting words, to have those words worm their way into the recesses of your mind.
But they did know Adrian, and Sydney had seen him with Maddie.If they thought he had no chance, they would tell him.Sydney was right: he did have a lot to offer Maddie.It was good for her to have someone like him, someone to provide balance in her life.He didn’t have her strengths, but he had his own.And if she rejected him, his friends would be here for him, as Noah had said.
Adrian released a shaky breath.Yes, with their support, he finally felt like he could do it.
Before he could speak, his phone buzzed.It was Maddie.
My parents tested positive for COVID today.I was hoping to see you soon, but since I just visited them two days ago, I’m quarantining.Testing negative so far.
He froze, full of concern for Maddie, for how she worried she must be for her family.
