“So, do you not want to do this double date thing because you’re worried it’ll be awkward for both of you to be there with another couple?”
“It seems like a lot of pressure to put on a couple that doesn’t know where it’s going, you know?”
She took another drink of her coffee.
“You said you both wanted to work on it, though.”
“We do. I mean, wedid, at least. After the stupid public fight, we went into reaction mode with you and Jessie, and it became about protecting an image, not rescuing our relationship. We haven’t talked about it since.”
“Maybe this can be part of the work. Not trying to put pressure on you here, but having the two of you around another couple, talking about how you met and how you fell in love, might help rekindle the spark.”
“Rekindle the spark?” Kennedy laughed a bit. “I’m not even sure the spark is still there.”
“Do you want it to be?”
“I don’t know. I think I do. I think Cameron does, too. I mean, she’s not exactly packingherbags, either.”
“Then, I think you should do this. It’s something that could help your careers, because for the first time ever, I’ve got nothing coming in for you. As much as I wish Hollywood wasn’t a town that cared about women’s ages, that’s just not reality. You’re almost thirty-seven. You’re in the in-between. You’re too old to play the parts that are your actual age and too young to play the roles that older women get offered and rack up the awards for. This is a bad time for you to be going through a public divorce. I know you’re not married, but you basically are. Five years as a celeb couple is essentially married for twenty years.”
“I’m well aware,” she said and sipped her coffee. “But a mom? My last role was a badass DA who helped fight corruption. There wasn’t even a love interest in the movie, which was remarkable. Once I play a mom… Zane, that’s all they’ll ever offer me. You know how this goes: one mom role, and the next thing you know, you have six new offers, all of them moms, and the movie’s about their kid or their husband’s midlife crisis that leads him to buy a farm or a zoo or something. I don’t want those movies. Not yet.”
“I’ll do what I can,” he replied. “I promise, I’m looking. Cam has an audition lined up, but I’m not optimistic. They are only letting her read for it because she’s the exact right casting for this. It’s based on a book, and everyone has been screaming to cast Cam for years. Now, it’s finally happening, and by letting the audition happen, they can always tell people that they tried, but she wasn’t right for the role. That’s what I’m predicting, anyway.”
“It was one fight.”
“I know. But like I said earlier, you two haven’t exactly been media darlings for a while, so this is all the press has to talk about.”
“I was nominated for a Golden Globe that night.”
“For a supporting role in an indie film you wanted to do that I supported you taking but no one saw.” Zane shrugged a shoulder. “Sorry, I doubt anyone even remembers you were nominated that night now.”
“So, you’re saying doing this charity double date thing is the only way I can revitalize my career?”
“Not the only way, but it’s a good idea. It’s also pretty instant and low lift. We can post about it tomorrow, get people participating, and pick the winners soon. Then, we rent the house Jessie found, and we do the whole thing. We edit it quickly and put it out. I think it’s a win-win if you and Cam can pull it off.”
“Well, we’re actors. I’m sure we can at least convince people we have regular sex and like each other, even when I’m not sure we do all the time.”
“Hey,” Cameron said when she walked into the kitchen. “You okay? Jessie said she needed to take a call, so I sent her outside because she gets so loud.”
“I’m okay, yeah.” She nodded. “And yes, why does she have to yell into the phone like she’s calling someone on an old landline in another country and it’s 1943?”
Cameron smiled at her and said, “You’d have to ask her.”
“You’re really good with this crazy idea she has? Us with another couple?”
“How about I give you two a minute?” Zane said and stood up. “Actually, I’m sure I have a few phone calls I need to make myself. How about I get Jessie out of here, and you two can talk?”
“That would be great. Thanks, Zane,” Kennedy replied.
“Want me to order dinner?” Cameron asked.
“Sure. Italian place?”
Cameron nodded and pulled out her phone.
“I’ll see you two later. Text us when you decide,” Zane said. “And decide soon so that we know which way to go.”
“We will,” she replied.
