“Just let it cool off,” Samara said, laughing. “Why did you drink it when it’s too hot for you?”
“Habit,” she said. “So, what’s on the agenda for today?”
“Well, I have a little surprise for you, if you’re interested.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a car picking us up in about an hour. It’s going to drive us around all day.”
“All day?”
“I have six stops picked for you, and we can do whatever else you want to do, too. Technically, Kyla made the arrangements, but I made the plan.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out. A few tourist spots. A few local spots.”
“Yeah? That sounds good. I’m in,” Dana said.
“And do you remember me telling you I have a party to go to on New Year’s Eve?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, you’re my plus-one.”
“I know.”
“And it’s a pretty big deal,” Samara added.
“That I’m your plus-one?” she asked. “Are you coming out at this party?”
“No, when I come out, it won’t be at some party. It’ll be an article or an interview or a post on social media that I control.”
“Then, why is me being your–”
“Thepartyis a big deal,” Samara told her. “It’s Peyton Gloss’s annual New Year’s Eve party.”
Dana’s jaw dropped, and she said, “What now?”
Samara laughed and replied, “She started them up againlast year, and I was on the invite list. It’s not as huge as it used to be, apparently, but it’s still a big beach party, and practically everyone who’s anyone will be there. Last year, she had to hire security for the door because people just tried to get in. Only invitees get to show up, andyouare now on the list.”
“I’m going to a Peyton Gloss party?”
“You’re going tothePeyton Gloss party, baby.”
Dana shook her head and said, “That’s crazy.”
“And since I’m friends with several of her friends who happen to be very well-known actors, I was thinking I could introduce you, and you could talk to them about it. Kenzie and Lennox have had very different experiences. Lennox grew up in the business. Kenzie kind of came upon it in college. Jessica Morrison will be there as well. She was a model first. There will be more, too, but maybe they’ll have some advice or something.”
“Advice forme?” she asked. “Someone who’s done community theater and hasn’t even finished her first film yet?”
“You’ve got to start somewhere, Dana. Everyone does. Jessica modeled, and no one took her seriously as an actor at first. Because Lennox was an industry kid, everyone had just assumed she got her first roles due to nepotism, but she’s a great actress and a really talented writer. Kenzie was about the last person to even think about acting, and now, she’s won all the awards and is incredibly successful. She went to an audition on a dare, and that’s how it all started for her. You auditioned because I thought you might be good, and I was right: youaregood. And not only are you good, but you are also a good scene partner. That’s not always the case. I have worked with some people who don’t seem to care whenever the camera isn’t on them or if it’s not their line, but you’re always in the scene. You’re present. You make it easier to play this character.”
“It’s not exactly a complicated character, Sam. Nothing against you, Sophie,orStella, how Bryce wrote her, but it’s a romance. You’re–”
“Will you just take a damn compliment? I swear, I haveno idea how we’re going to make this work if I can’t ever compliment you on things.”
Samara laughed and took another sip of her coffee.
