Once they finished the scene with the cameo, the crew hustled to get ready for the next scenes of the day. Addie had a few moments to talk to Toni, but before she could do so, Philip walked up to Toni.
Toni shot Addie a smile and continued toward the barriers.
As Toni walked away, he pursued her, not quite hurrying, but Addie knew he was trying to reach Toni before she left the set. “Miss Darbyshire? Toni?”
Addie winced internally when Toni pivoted to meet his gaze.
“Dr.Darbyshire,” she said, correcting him.
“Right.” Philip straightened, as if he could rebuild himself, or maybe he was trying to stand as her equal. He was technically taller, but he looked small as Toni stared at him. “I just wanted a chance to meet you and—”
Toni cut him off. “Why?”
“What?” Philip stared at her, frowning now.
“Whydo you want to meet me?” Toni prompted. “You called my girlfriend a dyke… which means that you likely have no respect for me either, as I’m the dyke who wrote the book.”
“I don’t know what she told you, but—”
“I was on the phone, Philip. She told me nothing.Youdid, when you uttered that slur.” Toni looked at him. “I could kill you, you know. No one would mind that much.”
“What?Did you threaten—”
“In thebook,Philip, I could kill your character off, and no one would miss you.” Toni leveled a look at him that would make sensible people retreat, and Addie realized that Toni had intended it as a threat against his livelihood, but she undoubtedlyalsorealized exactly what he’d hear in her words.
He stood there, gaping at her. “I had no idea you were on the phone or—”
“And since you seem confused, let me clarify. I’ve known Adelaine since well before the book,” Toni said, voice carrying clearly. “She didn’t fuck me for the role, as you have so charmingly suggested. We dated before I sold the book, and I didn’t even know she’d auditioneduntil after she was chosen by Marcela for the cast. She kept it a secret until the day I met both of you. Ifanyonebenefitted from her being cast in the show, it was me.”
Toni’s voice grew louder as she continued, “She makes the show better, and I have the pleasure of seeing her more often because she auditioned.Marcelahired her without me knowing. So if anyone is benefitting here, it’s not Addie. I’m the one benefitting from her presence in my life and on this show. She’s the one gracious enough to audition, to accept the role, and to allow me some of her free time. She’s an amazing, gorgeous, talented, kindhearted woman, not someone who has to lie or connive to succeed.”
Toni didn’t look at Addie the whole time, but Addie was well aware that Toni knew she was watching. She knew Addie was listening—as was half the crew.
And yet, Toni still said those things, those ridiculously flattering things.
Addie wanted to go over and kiss her until they were embarrassing themselves. She wanted to point at Toni and say, “Do you hear that? Shelikesme.” She wanted to melt from how hot her cheeks were burning. Instead, Addie just watched Toni in awe.
“Next time you decide to make a homophobic slur… actually, justdon’t.She’s succeeding because she’s talented,” Toni said to him, more gently now. “And honestly, Philip, who accepts a role in a showwritten by a lesbian about a lesbian detectiveand makes a comment like that?” She shook her head. “I have already told my team that I won’t sit at any events with someone who calls a woman a ‘dyke bitch.’ And if the powers that be try to insist, I’ll explainin publicwhy I refuse. Let’s see how that affects you getting cast in anything else.”
Finally she glanced at Addie. “I’ll be at the hotel.”
Then she turned and left. And Addie couldn’t quite wipe the shocked look off her face. It wasn’t just that Toni had outed Philip for his homophobic remark, but she had also just publicly said she was dating Addie.
She called me her girlfriend!
Chapter 41Toni
When Toni woke in Addie’s bed alone after a good nap, she was tempted to head out to explore the French Quarter. It had been years since she’d been here, and the last time was for an academic conference, so it had not been exactly the sort of free time she had this weekend.
But I want to explorewithAddie.
There were a few museums of note, and Toni was a historian. The Presbytère, The Cabildo, and the 1850 House were all near enough that she could walk there in the time she had.Leave a note for Addie, and…
Toni pulled out her laptop instead.The Widow’s Cursewas coming along well, and there was no need to go wandering without Addie. The last thing she wanted was for Adelaine to be here alone and have to deal with Philip. If they filmed the final scenes with him, they could let him go in a matter of weeks. A few weeks. That was it.
How secure is Addie’s LA apartment?
The thought popped up intrusively. Toni wasn’t even sure she wanted to think about that. Addie in LA, vulnerable.Maybe I should go stay with her.
