"Amazing! I can't wait to see what it looks like after you put it together!"
"Can you come eat with us, and I'll tell you all about it?"
"Hazel, I'm sure Sophia already has plans for dinner."
It comes out harsher than I mean, and I can tell it's confused Sophia when her eyebrows dip in confusion. Thankfully, she seems to understand that I'm hoping for a private dinner with Hazel tonight.
"Oh, darn. I have to go back up to the studio, so I can't join you for dinner, but maybe you can tell me all about it tomorrow?"
Sophia looks up at me to see if I'll object to the mention ofspending time with her tomorrow. When I don't respond, she continues. "Besides, it sounds like it's been an adventurous daddy-daughter day, and I don't want to ruin the vibe."
"Oh, you won't. But that's ok. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow."
Guilt rushes over me as I turn toward the house, but before we leave, I glance back and catch a flash of hurt or maybe confusion sliding across her face. Well, I'm confused too, so join the club.
We agreed to be careful around Hazel. I know I said I wanted to see where this was going, but it's only been a few days. I'm irritated that she seems to be moving ahead like we're already a couple. The last thing I need is for my daughter to get attached to someone who might not be here for the long term.
thirty-five
. . .
Sophia
"Mama!I'm not leaving without you! We're going to fight this storm, and we're going to win. We've survived worse. We're survivors, Mama!"
"And cut!"
Edie's voice echoes throughout the soundstage as the cast and crew come out of the scene. It was an emotional segment, so it's taking a minute for everyone to get back into regular form. I shake off the character and the emotional anger she was holding on to and take a deep breath to release those feelings and get back to core Sophia.
"You're doing amazing on camera," Edie says. "Actually, you're doing amazing off-camera, too. You're knocking it out of the park for your first go at producing."
She gestures for me to sit on the couch as the other actors exit the living room set and head back to trailers, costumes, or whatever is next on their daily schedule.
"Thanks. It's been a learning experience for sure, but is it weird that I love it? All the pressure and obstacles andfighting for what we want—it makes me feel alive in a weird way."
"I totally get it. It's why I'm here with you and not on the set of whatever sequel was next in my sci-fi franchise."
"Do you miss it? The blockbuster set, the blockbuster budget?"
"The budget? Yes. The set? No. I was tired of telling those stories. They lost the heart and humanity in the plot. The deeper the continuation, the harder it is to find a connection with the ongoing saga. This? This, I love. There's no sequel to this. All the emotion that exists can be poured into this story, and that allows it to connect universally with so many people. This, my friend, is going to be a hit. And I'm not just saying that to pat myself on the back."
"I agree, Edie. I can feel it. So many scenes are clicking. You can feel the deep connection to the characters. I'm so thankful you agreed to do this with me."
Before launching her own talent agency, Blair worked at the prestigious TWA. During her time there, she discovered Edie's script—a departure from the blockbuster sci-fi films that defined Edie's career despite her earlier work in different genres. Though Blair saw the script's potential, TWA's layoffs cut short her plans to champion it. Six months later, with her own agency established, Blair signed both Edie and me. Her first major success? Packaging us together for Grant and Wonderland Studios.
That Grant would take on such an unknown factor in me was a shock, but now I'm guessing he saw the potential. Although I admit that some days, I worry his interest in me helped drive some of his decision making.
And now we've crossed all sorts of lines, some I'm not even aware of based on how he was acting last night. I'm still irritated by how he shut me down for dinner. I might have readily accepted, but I saw the trepidation and irritation on Grant's face. A high-powered studio exec, he may be, but an actor, he is not.
I knew when I wasn't wanted, so instead, I made up the excuse of needing to head up here for some work. Then I ended up driving out to Blair and Wyatt's house for a pity dinner. If I'm being honest, I'm growing attached to Hazel. She's such a great kid, and it's hard to tell her no when she's asking you to hang out.
"We have two more days for this set; then we wrap up in Santa Clarita for location scenes. I'm still impressed that Grant was able to help secure some controlled disaster scenes at Honey Pine. I wanted to make sure you are feeling good about it all and ready for that to start next Monday."
"I'm ready. I can't wait?—"
"She's living with the guy, and you're telling me there's no special favors for her?" A male voice drifts from behind the interior living room wall frame.
"I'm sure lots of special favors are being exchanged all around," another voice replies, laced with amusement.
