His phone buzzed in the silence, cutting through the moment. He glanced at the screen, and something in his expression shifted. It was so subtle that I thought I’d imagined it.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” He smiled and tucked the phone back into his pocket. “Just Bob checking in. I should probably call him back before he sends out a search party.”
“Of course.” I stepped back to give him space. “Go ahead.”
He squeezed my hand once more. “I’ll just be a few minutes. Why don’t you pick something to watch? I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
I stayed by the window, staring out into the night, that brief flicker of unease still twisting in my chest.
Maybe everythingwasfine.
So why did it feel like it wasn’t?
40
LUKE
The text arrived justa moment ago, and I already knew it would change everything.
It’s official. You got it, baby. Filming starts in a week. Call me.
My manager’s words were still glowing on the screen, but I couldn’t bring myself to respond. Not yet.
I paced the kitchen, phone still in hand, trying to breathe around the knot tightening in my stomach. This was it. The role I’d fought for, reshaped myself for. The role that could redefine my entire career.
And I got it. So why did it feel like the floor had shifted under me?
I had kept glancing at Anna throughout our day at City Park, trying to memorize how she looked, with her hair catching the sunlight, her smile wide and unguarded. She made everything feel perfect.
And now, everything was about to change.
How was I supposed to tell her I’d be leaving soon? I knew what I had to do. She said she would never leave New Orleans, but what was holding her here? I had to ask her to come with me. But uneasiness flickered in my stomach.
What if she said no?
I rubbed the back of my neck. I thought about how she’d leaned against me by the lagoon, the smell of her hair mingling with the warm scent of the oaks, and I couldn’t shake the ache in my chest.
Before I could even process it, my phone buzzed again. This time it was an actual call. I sighed, knowing I couldn’t dodge Bob for long. I answered, holding the phone to my ear as I leaned against the desk. “Hey, Bob.”
“Hey?Hey? That’s all I get?” Bob’s voice boomed through the speaker. “You, my friend, just landed the role of a lifetime. Gerald Fargo is over the moon. He’s telling everyone you’re ‘a walking metaphor for the tragic comedy of existence’ or some artsy nonsense like that. Translation: you crushed it.”
I shook my head. “Well, I’m glad my helping-my-girlfriend-dressed-as-a-jester moment landed with him.”
“Landed?” Bob scoffed. “No, it soared.”
“Well, I’m glad he’s thrilled,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
Bob caught the hesitation in my voice. “What’s this tone I’m hearing? Don’t tell me you’re second-guessing this.”
“No, I’m not,” I replied quickly, though the tightness in my chest disagreed. “It’s just... the timing’s complicated.”
“Ah, let me guess,” Bob said, his voice dropping into mock seriousness. “The timing involves a certain New Orleans jester-slash-girl-next-door? Listen, I get it. She’s great. But, Luke, this is Hollywood. Opportunities like this don’t wait. You can’t afford to get tangled up. You’ve got a week to prep, and then it’s showtime. No distractions.”
I wanted to argue, but the words caught in my throat. Bob sighed, lowering his tone. “Look, I’m not saying don’t be happy, okay? But don’t forget what got you here. Don’t lose sight of that. You can’t have it all, buddy. Not in this business.”
