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Oliver directed me to my chair in front of the green screen. "I know we just had you do these two weeks ago, but I didn't quite get what I wanted. So let's just start from the top." Oliver sat in his chair across from me, with his notepad in hand and his pencil tucked behind his ear. Next to him was the cameraman, Joe, who had spent a lot of time filming me kissing a bunch of girls.
"Okay, for this first one, I want you to remember back to Holland and your picnic by the windmill. It was a chilly day in late September. Melanie told you about how she had been raised by her grandparents since her parents lost custody of her and her brother." Oliver read from his notes. “So what I want you to say is: Melanie looked gorgeous today, and I was honored that she would tell me about her family. I feel like we got a lot closer on our date."
"Uh…" I started, trying to remember everything I was supposed to say. "Melanie looked gorgeous today on our date. I felt like we got a lot closer when she told me about her family." I knew the words sounded stiff coming off my lips. It usually took me a few tries to get them right, trying to use the tricks Kate had taught me.
"Cut," Oliver instructed Joe. Then he turned back to me with a half-smile. "That's one way to say it, I guess."
"Sorry, it was a lot to remember. Will it work?" Because from the line-up of outfits on the table, it looked like Oliver had plans to keep me busy for the rest of the day.
"Let's try it one more time just to make sure we get what we need. Try again when you're ready." Oliver gave Joe the signal to start recording.
My thoughts scattered for a moment before I pulled them back together. I tried to picture the date with Melanie. We had walked all over a small town in Holland, had a picnic in a field next to an iconic windmill. The date had been great; Melanie was very down to earth and gorgeous with her long brown hair and cute knit hat. We had great chemistry, but I had a hard time fully being myself around her. She was such a well-bred Southern lady that I didn't know how to joke around with her. Which was why I'd had to let her go home a couple of weeks later.
I cleared my throat. ”Melanie looked gorgeous today. My heart went out to her when she told me about growing up. I'm amazed at how well she turned out given the difficult childhood she had. I really appreciated her sharing her story with me. I felt like we got a lot closer today, and I can't wait to spend more time with her tonight," I finished, hoping I'd given Oliver enough to go on that time.
Oliver gave me a slow clap and I shook my head and smiled at the ridiculousness of the situation. Since when did a twenty-eight-year-old guy get a standing ovation for saying a few silly lines?
"That was amazing." Oliver smiled. "Just keep that going for another fifty of these, and we'll be in good shape."
"Fifty more?" Did they likeanyof the ones I'd done last time?
A guilty expression formed on Oliver's face. "Sorry. We decided to spin the story a little differently, focus on different aspects of your dates, so we do need a lot more."
My shoulders slumped.
Fifty more lines?
If I didn't get some magical acting skills quick I might not get to watch tonight’s episode air live with the world again.
Oliver had me do a few more lines in my current outfit before having me change into a plaid button-up from my roller skating date with Ella.
"How's it going?" a voice said from behind me as I was buttoning up my shirt.
It was Kate, wearing black rimmed glasses that I'd never seen before. How did I not know she wore glasses?
She seemed to take in the part of my exposed torso as I continued buttoning. Was it possible that her eyes had lingered on me for more than a curious second? That hadn't happened since she was in high school. Thank goodness I’d worked out this morning.
"It's going to be a long day," I finally managed to say once I'd found my tongue.
Was Kate still checking me out?
Because now I knew she wasn't married, I didn't have to feel as guilty about that thought as I would have just a day before.
She smiled. "Still not a professional actor yet? Somehow, I kind of like that about you."
She stepped forward and helped me straighten the back of my collar.
So, she wasn't checking me out. She was inspecting me. Doing her job.
I willed the flush away from my cheeks that came when her finger grazed the skin at the back of my neck.
Get a grip, Drew. Just because Kate also looks really good wearing glasses, it doesn't mean you need to care about it.
"Well, I guess I'll let you get back to your pickups. Alexis is probably wondering where I am with her coffee." She held up the cup in her hand.
“Hey, wait,” I said, not wanting her to leave so quickly for some reason. I looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to us before saying in a low voice, "We never decided when to go over your pitches."
"About that…” She grimaced.
