Right now, though, I don’t smell anything except “hospital” due to the sterile neutralizer I sprayed up my nostrils. It’s disgusting, truly, and if I hadn’t shoved my Omega far down and drank an entire pot of pre-heat tea before I got called on set, I know she’d be whining and pushing me to go to the bathroom to blow my nose and wash off all the different de-scenting agents I layered over my scent glands and under my armpits. I hope Jett doesn’t cringe when he meets me, not that I would blame him. I’d cringe if I smelled me, but this is the only option I have right now, so I’ll have to pretend like it’s normal.
“Do you want to do a secret signal if you need more neutralizer or I have to make an excuse to get you off set?” Sadie asks quietly from beside me as we follow a PA through another door of the soundstage to where Juliette’s bookshop set is.
I shake my head. “I think I’ll be fine. It says it lasts a few hours so I should be good till lunch.” I want to say if she needs to find a way to get me off set we’re going to have way bigger problems. But like I said earlier, I have no pre-heat symptoms and despite the horrible smell in my nose and the nerves of a new job, I’m feeling better. My Omega is quiet, my strawberry scent is locked down, and I won’t be able to smell even a hint of any Alpha orBeta scents. I can’t even smell Sadie’s and she’s right next to me not wearing any sort of de-scenter.
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
I squeeze her hand. “Thanks for being here with me.”
“Of course, not only is it my job but I’ll admit I’m excited too. This is so much different than your usual jobs. Already there’s a bunch more people and the energy is buzzing.”
She’s right. The soundstage is bigger, the equipment is nicer, and with that they have more people working for the film.Knot Hollowswas a popular and long-running TV show but it didn’t have the biggest budget and our A-list guest stars were few and far between.
“You’re a Jett fan too, right?” I ask.
Sadie blushes. “Like most people.”
“That’s true.” I laugh. “Sorry I didn’t ask sooner.”
“You’ve been busy with everything, and it’s not like it really matters anyway.”
Busy is a nice word for frazzled. I’ve been so in my head about the suppressants and learning lines I didn’t even think about the fact she gets to be on set with me and meet famous actors like Jett and the others hired for the supporting cast.
“Let’s hope he’s as nice as people have said,” I say. Normally I’d know more about my leading man beyond what I’ve learned from the media and through the grapevine of other actors I know. We would have had a chemistry test and done a table read, but nothing about this job has been normal so far. Ever since I was offered the role it’s been a whirlwind of contracts, doctor’s appointments for my failed suppressants, line learning, and wardrobe fittings.
We approach the outer facade of a fake wall that I’m assuming is the bookstore. The PA in front of us slows and steps to the side so we stop with her. “Pack Quinn is right through this door, Ms. Walker,” she says. “I’ll come and collect you when they call lunch to show you where the main meals will be served. CraftServices is on the other side of the soundstage if you or your assistant need anything.”
“Thank you, um—”
“Maria.”
“Thanks, Maria.”
“Of course.”
I gesture to Sadie. “Do you have a place where Sadie can stay while we shoot?”
“We do.” She smiles warmly at my assistant. “You could go to Video Village just over there to watch the live feed of the cameras.” Maria points to where there’s a couple people, cameras, and an empty director’s chair that readsWilder Quinn,along with another one that readsAugust Quinnprinted on the fabric.
“Or I can take you back to Iris’s trailer,” she finishes.
Sadie looks at me and I nod, knowing she’s staying like we discussed.
“Video Village, please,” Sadie says.
“Of course, you can head that way and take a seat, I’ll let the crew know who you are. Iris, you can go on in.”
Sadie hugs me and I promise to let her meet Jett and the rest of Pack Quinn later, though she'll be sitting right next to two of them in Video Village. Hopefully she won’t combust like I probably would if I was in her shoes. I’m already going to be trying not to combust and I have to work with them and act normally, harder given I no longer have suppressants to take.
Nope. No. Not going there.
"Sounds good. Now go break a leg,” Sadie whispers.
I squeeze her a final time before I pull back. After she and the PA have departed I put my hand on the fake door that will lead onto the set. I could probably walk around to the open front but this is where the PA brought me so I guess this is where I’ll enter.
I take a large inhale through my nose and immediately decide that was a bad idea because the neutralizer stings my eyes. I fistmy hands and blink a few times so they don’t water. I don’t want to look like I’m crying or ruin my makeup. I gently inhale through my mouth when I’m sure my eyes are clear and mutter, “You can do this, Iris.”
“I have no doubt about that.”
