Irina could use the acting credit for her resume, and Courtney could use a buddy on tour.
Win. Win. Win.
“Fine. I’m so far in I might as well already be in Colorado,” Irina confirmed. “I’ve needed a break anyway. Things here are slow.”
Irina went through the Tisch School of the Arts. A brilliant actress who, like many others, had struggled to find her way in Hollywood. Find that breakout role. That breakout anything.
Her résumé was chock-full of community theater, commercials, roles as an extra in blockbuster films. Yet she had never quite made it past that initial level. Which was ridiculous, because Irina was the shit.
She could cry on command. She could do any accent she wanted—probably even give Bax a run for his pirate money. And she was a dab hand with theatrical makeup. She could make herself look twenty years older or ten years younger with just a little purse of makeup.
The problem Irina ran into was that she really loved carbs as much as pre-baby Courtney. That was part of the reason they bonded. All that was to say, Irina didn’t fit into the size structure that Hollywood preferred.
Courtney figured if the whole acting gig didn’t work out, Irina could probably work for the CIA or something. Though Courtney wasn’t entirely certain what the government thought of agents who liked to go clubbing with the same commitment as Irina.
“Well, get your ass out here because we are ready to take off,” Courtney said.
“Any special requests?” Irina asked.
“Would you stop by Compartés and grab me a box of chocolates before you head out? It’s the only chocolate I’ve been craving. One of their bars with the fruit and nuts and…” Yum.
“Caramels too?” Irina asked, because this was Courtney, and if there was sugar involved, she was usually in.
However.
Tiny Badass wasn’t keen on caramel.
“Stick to dark chocolate and fruit. This kid enjoys anything that looks like it came from nature.” What Courtney wouldn’t give to crave a French fry.
“I’m never getting pregnant,” Irina announced. “I like the bad stuff way too much.”
Well, never say never. That was what Courtney discovered.
“Also, I actually meant acting requests?” Irina said seriously. “Any particular accents? Wardrobe? What should we call me?”
“Surprise me,” Courtney said. Then she stopped. Rethought that statement. Actually… “Surprise me, but make it believable.”
“Consider it done,” Irina said with an impressive French accent.
“Oh, and no pink hair. Go with a natural color, please.” Courtney hated to make the ask, but given Irina’s love of changing up her locks, she could decide to go neon before boarding the plane.
Actually, Courtney wouldn’t put it past her to dye her hair while actually on the plane.
“Natural hair. Make it believable. Bring chocolate. Check. Check. And checkity-check.” Irina paused, then said, “I’m not actually going to have to deliver your baby, right?”
“No.” Absolutely not. “If there is an issue, we’ll be in bigger cities. The most you’d have to do is drive me to a clinic or something. I think we could call you my birth guide. What do you say? It’s not a lie, and it’s not illegal.”
“I can totally handle that.”
“Bax will also want you to harass me about vitamins and water consumption, but you’re not allowed to give me shit. That part is acting. Agreed?” Because the last thing Courtney needed was her birth guide telling her what to do or where to go or how to get there.
“Aw, that’s no fun. I’d rather give you crap.”
“You give me crap, I’ll give you crap.” The laughter was clear in Courtney’s tone. “No one wants that.”
“Agreed.” Irina chewed at her bottom lip. “Linx isn’t going to tell our secret?”
Courtney shook her head. “Linx took my side on this one.”
