“You’re kidding. Were you up for the same part?”
“Nope,” she says, popping the p. “The movie is about two sisters. Adopted sisters,” she amends, likely knowing I’d question that since Nat is Chinese-Canadian and Selma is Black. “After we auditioned, they called us both in and told us we did great.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“It gets better,” Nat says. “They told us they’d been thinking about how the movie would work even better with three sisters instead of two. And they wantyouto play the third sister.”
Shock makes my body go numb. My phone slides from my limp fingers, and I manage to grab it before it hits the table. “Why would they wantme? I mean, I know they wanted me to audition in the first place, but for them to rewrite the script with a part just for me? That’s not…I can’t…you’re joking, right?”
“I’m dead serious, Joss. They said they think the three of us would make indie movie magic. They know you and I are close, and they said the so-called feud between you and Selma would create a huge buzz around the movie.”
“What did Selma have to say about that?”
“Well, first she made it clear there trulyisn’ta feud between you two,” Nat says. Some of the tension eases from my shoulders at that. “And she agreed it could work in the movie’s favor, not only to draw interest from viewers, but from investors too. You know how indie movies are always looking for extra funding.”
When Natalie says my name a few seconds later, I realize I’ve been sitting here bobbing my head silently as I contemplate what she told me. “I’m here. Just…processing.”
“I know you said you were afraid of what fans would think if you veered too far from your regular roles, but actors do it all the time. You may not have aspirations of being a big movie star, but you also don’t want to be type-casted forever, do you? Or be stuck doing the same From the Heart movies over and over until you’re too old to play romance leads? Think of some of your favorite actresses, the ones who never do the same role twice, whose versatility you admire. This could be your chance to break free of being known for your sweet-as-pie roles. From being known as the Queen of Christmas.”
“I-I’ll think about it,” I stammer. “I need to talk to my agent. And the Pascals, obviously, if this is the direction they really want to go. When do they want to start filming?”
“They’re still scouting locations, but they’re thinking early next year.”
“Do they plan to shoot in Toronto?”
“They’re actually thinking of going for a small town,” Natalie says. “They prefer doing movies in places where they can boost the local economy, you know? Hire local tradespeople and extras.”
“Right,” I murmur, staring out the window at the townspeople bustling by. I consider suggesting Honeywell, but dismiss the idea almost immediately.
“Now that I’ve dropped this giant bombshell on you and have given you plenty to think about, I need to run to meet my publicist. I’ll tell the Pascals to give you a few days to think it over and then get in touch with you. Do you want me to have them start talks with your agent in the meantime?”
“Yes. Yes, do that. Thanks, Nat.” I’m still so stunned, I can barely get more than a few words out. If the Pascals were to call me right now, I’d probably just stammer out a bunch of nonsense that would have them second-guessing their desire to hire me for their movie. There’s also the fact I’m still technically on holiday. It’s been nice hiding out here in Honeywell, forgetting about the outside world and the demands of my job. I’m not quite ready to get back to that way of life yet. I’d like to prolong this peace and quiet for a while.
And, as I glance over my shoulder and see Liam striding across the café toward me, I think of how I’d like to enjoy other things for a while longer too. Liam catches me looking at him, and his serious, far-away expression morphs into a slow smile that has my heart rate escalating.
“I’ll talk to you soon, okay?” I say to Natalie. “Thanks for calling.”
“Of course,” she says. “Call me if you need to talk this over. It’s a lot to think about and it’s ultimately a huge, potentially career-changing decision, but…wouldn’t it be amazing tofinallywork together on a movie?”
“It would. It really would.” We’ve talked about it over the years, but our role choices have always been vastly different. “Talk soon. Love you.”
Liam hears that last part and raises one eyebrow in question as I disconnect and put my phone away.
“My best friend,” I tell him as he slides into the seat across from me and takes my hand. “How’s Thea doing?”
Liam sighs, looking down at our joined hands and playing with my fingers. “She’s okay. I ordered her some breakfast and told her to be sure to eat all of it if she can.”
“Should we join her?” I ask.
Liam shakes his head. “She wants to be alone.” He sits back in his seat, fingers still loosely gripping mine. He runs his free hand through his hair, fisting it at the back of his neck. “She says she’s going to check herself into rehab. We’ve done the research before and found a facility she agreed to, although she’s never actually gone. I told her we’d make arrangements for her to go in January, but she said she wants to go now if there’s an opening.”
“Now?” I ask. “So she’d be gone over Christmas?”
Liam makes a sound of assent. “I don’t know what to think. She’s told me she’d get help a thousand times before, and nothing has ever come of it. If she does decide to go, she’ll have my full support, but Rex will be devastated.”
Poor Rex. He’s too young to understand that Christmas without his mom, while painful and strange, is better than a lifetime without her if something were to happen to her as a result of her addiction. My heart aches for him and for Liam, who will be left to deal with a brokenhearted little boy.
“If Thea does go, we’ll all double down on our time with Rex,” I say. “We’ll keep him busy, get him doing as many fun things as possible. It won’t be the same, but hopefully he’ll at least understand how loved he is.”
