“Oh,” Dana said.
“Is that okay?”
“Why wouldn’t that be okay?” Dana asked with a soft, encouraging smile. “How long have you known?”
“Not long; maybe a couple of years. I took this movie in part because of the playing gay thing you like to pick on me for, but I might also want to come out later.”
“Oh,” Dana said. “So, this is practice?”
“No, it’s maybe a vehicle to approach those conversations. I don’t know.” She sighed. “I don’t even know why I’m really telling you. I just wanted you to know.”
“But you said you hadn’t kissed a woman. I thought you meant ever. Did you just mean for work?”
Samara shook her head and said, “No. I’ve only dated men. A few boys, too, unfortunately.”
Dana laughed and said, “Been there.”
“Miles?”
Dana laughed harder and replied, “He’s definitely one of them, but that really was only one date, so I don’t think we can call itdating, exactly.” Then, Dana looked serious as she added, “Thank you for telling me.”
“Thank you for… being you.”
Dana smiled at her, and before Samara knew it, she was cupping Samara’s cheek.
“I wish other people got to see this side of you.”
Samara laughed and replied, “Why? I’m a pest.”
“Not all the time.” Dana winked at her. “Sometimes, you’re just like… this, and it’s really nice.”
“Dana?”
They both looked up and saw that Danny was blocking a group of likely Samara fans. Dana’s hand fell away instantly, and Samara knew she’d done that for her.
“It’s okay. We need to head back, anyway,” Dana replied to Danny.
“Yeah,” Samara added and stood, putting on her forced smile. “Hi, everyone. We were just rehearsing a scene from our upcoming movie. This is my co-star, Dana Sterling.”
The phones were already out, and people were recording, taking photos, and asking for selfies.
“You should take Dana’s picture,” Samara said. “She’s about to be all over your screens.”
Dana smiled at her as Danny held back a group of about ten people, and just like that, the night turned into Samara taking a few photos with the fans while Dana held the camera for some. Samara returned the favor, too, and it was niceto see Dana have someone ask her for her autograph. Samara supposed she’d always remember being there the time Dana signed her first one.
Then, it reallywastime to leave because the crowd was picking up.
“Ready?” Dana asked her and held out her hand before pulling it back. “Shit. Sorry.”
“Why?” she asked, taking it still. “Don’t change, okay? Just because I told you, don’t change, Dana.”
Dana nodded.
CHAPTER 18
“Hey, what are you up to?” Bryce asked.
“At eleven o’clock at night?” she asked back with a lifted eyebrow. “After a long day of work?”
