“You got the part,” she blurted out as she stood there facing Dana, trying to get the woman to shut up already.
“What?” Dana asked.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. They told me right before I called you. I wanted to be the one to tell you. I hope that’s okay.”
“I… got the part?” Dana asked, looking dumbfounded.
“You are Bray, Dana–” Samara stopped before adding, “I just realized that I don’t know your last name. I put you as Dana Caterer into my phone.”
“Sterling,” Dana told her. “You put me as DanaCatererin your phone? Samara! Wait. You’re not messing with me, are you? Because that would be fucked up, Samara.”
“I’m not messing with you,” she replied, laughing. She plated her tacos, set them on the table when she was done, and added, “Congratulations!”
The next thing she knew, Dana’s arms were suddenly around her, pulling her in for a hug. Samara stood there, not hugging her back at first because she hadn’t expectedthatat all, but when her arms caught up with her brain, she wrapped them around Dana’s neck and finally leaned into the embrace.
“God, I can’t believe this. I–” Dana squeezed Samara tightly and then let her go all too soon. “I got it? Really?”
“Yes,” she said, laughing a little anxiously now because she hadn’t wanted that hug to end that soon.
“I can’t believe it,” Dana repeated before covering her mouth with her hand. “What happens now? What do I do?”
“Well, now we eat lunch,” she said as she plated Dana’s food for her and set it next to her own plate on the table. “So, sit.”
“I’ll give you that one because I actually want to now,” Dana said and sat down.
“I’m going to call my agent for you, but only if you want. I don’t want to push them on you.”
“No, that’s… good. I need that, right?”
“Yes, you should have someone with experience review whatever you’re going to sign, but since Bryce is your friend, I trust what they’ll put in there for you.”
“Holy crap. I’m going to make actual money for acting.”
“Youare, yes.”
“I need to call my mom,” Dana said. “No, Lainey first. Then, my mom.”
“So, you’re going to do it?” Samara asked, sitting down next to her.
“Hell, yes, I am,” Dana replied.
“Good,” she said. “I worried you might not.”
“What? Why?”
“Because you didn’t audition in the first place, you also didn’t exactly do anything to move your acting career along, you–”
“Okay… Can we not bash me right now? I just booked my first movie.” Dana laughed.
“Not bashing,” she said as she poured herself a glass of her water and added some to the glass she had placed in front of Dana’s seat before she’d gotten there. “Just saying.”
“Well, I’m doing it. I don’t even care if they pay me. I’m–”
“Oh, don’t let them hear you say that. This is your first paying role. You’re making that money.”
“I know. I just can’t believe this,” Dana said. “And I’m sure you’re glad I’m taking it because that means there won’t be any more delays and you can wrap this thing up and getback home, huh?”
“What?” Samara asked, surprised. “No, that’s not what I was thinking. I… You’re the one for the part, Dana. I’m glad you got it because you’re the right one to play Bray, and you’ll make the movie better because of it.”
