The town car stopped, and she turned to see that they were in front of a giant house, and there were two cameras, held by the camera people whom Jessie had hired, waiting for them to get out.
“Let’s just pause this conversation until after we get back home, okay? I don’t think we should even talk about it in the bedrooms. I know Jessie wouldn’t use any of it, obviously, but if someone overhears and decides to risk breaking their NDA, we’ll be worse off than we are now. I’m not worried about Ray here. He’s heard us say worse things and hasn’t ever told a soul. Right, Ray?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” their driver, who’d been with Kennedy for well over a decade, replied.
“Thanks, Ray,” Cameron said.
“No problem, Ma’am.”
The car door opened then, and Jessie stood there with a smile on her face.
“Okay. So, we’re not filming yet. I’d like to get a shot of you two coming out of the car, but smiling. God, what is going on? You both look like you ate bad fish or something.”
“We’re fine,” Kennedy lied.
“You want a shot of us getting out of the car?” Cameron asked.
“Yes. We already got the car pulling up, so we’ll just close the door, and I’ll open it for you and move out of the way. Cam, when you get out, remember to turn and offer Kennedy yourhand. Kennedy, look like you skipped that bad fish and smile at your girlfriend.”
“No problem,” Kennedy said.
“Good. Then, walk up the stairs. And, Cam, open the door. I’ve got another camera in there, so let’s get your real initial reactions to the house.”
“Is the other couple here?” Kennedy asked.
“No, we staggered you so we could get both entrances. I have marks on the floor I want you to hit. Take the tour, so to speak, and follow the tape arrows. Entry way to the living room, to dining room, to kitchen. Then, you’ll step outside and look at the water. Cameron, I want you to pull her into your arms as you look out from the balcony, okay? You two should also say a few things. The place is beautiful, you’re glad you did this, or something like that. Then, walk down to the French doors. That’s your room. Open it, check out the bedroom, and then, we’ll cut.”
“Damn, Jessie… This was supposed to be no pressure and low-key,” she noted and turned to Kennedy, who seemed unaffected.
“I’d like to get it all in one take, if we can, so that it’s much easier to edit and we can get this out faster.”
“It’s fine. We’re professionals. Close the door and yell action. We’ll get it in one,” Kennedy offered.
“Great,” Jessie replied with a fake smile and closed the door.
“Professionals,” Cameron whispered as she faced forward.
“Come on, Cam. Let’s just do this. We can argue later.”
“Whatever you want, babe,” she said. “Are you ready?”
“I’m ready.”
“Action,” Jessie said loudly so that she could be heard through the closed door, which was then opened for them.
“Oh, wow. Nice!” Cameron exclaimed when she got out of the car and held her hand out for Kennedy like she’d done thousands of times without thinking.
“Yeah,” Kennedy echoed when she got out as well and stood next to Cameron, entwining their fingers.
“Want to check it out before the other couple gets here?” Cameron asked, putting on the best smile she had, trying to remember how her smile must have looked years ago when they’d been happy and attempting to recreate it.
“Why? Want to claim the best bedroom or something?” Kennedy teased, resting her head on her shoulder. “Just like you, Cam.”
Cameron tried not to let her face show that Kennedy’s comment was an odd one, so she pretended to laugh and said, “I’m sure all the rooms here are great. Let’s take a look.”
Both of them were entirely used to cameras following them, so they didn’t give a look at any of them as they walked by. Cameron followed her blocking instructions and pushed the door open, averting her gaze from the camera Jessie had positioned right there.
“Nice,” she repeated because she couldn’t think of any other word to use.
