And I knew the show likely only had another two or so seasons before the novelty wore off. Even if the audience was still there, I didn’t want to be playing this role in another four or five years.
I had to get this job.
The lot was bustlingwith various crew members when I arrived on set the next morning. I had barely set my bag down before Naomi, the production manager, spoke over my shoulder.
“I should have known I’d find you here.” She stood a few feet away, at the edge of the padded area where we practiced fight choreo, and motioned towards the staff I was holding. “Did Felix bring out the surprise yet?” Felix was our props master.
“Not yet, but now I’m excited to see it.” The best part about being on a vaguely sci-fi show? The cool fake weapons.
She moved closer. “Anything else you’re excited to see?”
Naomi and I had been casually flirting on and off most of last season, but it had never gone beyond the occasional line and a handful of lingering glances for one reason or another. Her move from assistant to manager had been hard-earned last year, and I suspected she hadn’t wanted to invite the inevitable gossip that would come if we were seen together.
So she’d kept it light, and I had enjoyed the flirtation. This seemed like more, though, but I now found myself not interested in following through.
She moved closer. “You look good. How have you been?”
“Good. You?”
“Busy. Exhausted. The usual.” She chuckled, tucked a stray curl behind her ear. I’d often thought about running my hands through those curls, but it wasn’t her silky strands I was itching to touch now.
“I could use a drink later. I need to unwind a little. You should join me if you’re interested?”
“Thanks, but, uh, I can’t.”
“Well, if you change your mind, let me know.”
A few months ago, I would have jumped at the chance, hell, probably even a few weeks ago. But then, I hadn’t met Audrey yet.
I couldn’t remember the last time I felt anything more than lust for someone, and I didn’t really know what the hell to do about it.
Impulse drove me to many places. Some would call it recklessness. Sarah likely would. It was what convinced me to pursue acting, it had gotten me this role, and it was what led me back to The Basement that night to see if I couldn’t convince a certain bartender to give me the number of her friend.
As I entered the bar,I briefly considered tracing my steps to see if I could find Audrey’s apartment again, but that felt creepy and unnecessary. As long as the blonde was here—what was her name again?—I was sure I could charm her into offering Audrey’s details. I hardly thought I’d have to do much; she’d practically forced us together that night, so maybe she’d gladly help me out.
That said, I had snuck out in the middle of the night without even a goodbye.
I suddenly wondered if this was a terrible idea.
My chance to turn back disappeared as quickly as it had come because the blonde—Tiffany, that was it—in question spotted me. She was serving a couple who were standing at the bar, and as our eyes met, I tried a friendly smile, hoping that if she was pissed on behalf of her friend, the most she’d do was kick me out, not kick my ass.
Especially since there were witnesses here.
Although I somehow doubted that that would deter her.
My stomach unclenched as she waved me over, clearly suspicious. I took a seat at the bar while the couple took their drinks and moved to a booth across the room.
“Well, well, this is a surprise.” Her tone was light, but her gaze cold, sizing me up.
I remembered how blunt she’d been the other night and decided to go for sincerity over charm. “I’m an idiot.”
It appeared to work. She barked out a laugh and visibly relaxed. “That’s for damn sure.”
“I want to see Audrey again, and I thought you might help me get in touch with her.”
If she was surprised, she didn’t show it. She simply leaned back against the cabinet behind her and crossed her arms. At least she was smiling. “And why would I do that?”
“Because you’re a good person who believes in second chances?”
