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Nothing compares to this feeling. Not intense fight scenes, not jumping out of buildings, not escaping near-death accidents.
Zoey has it all beat by a long shot.
Chapter Eight
Epilogue – Zoey
“Zoey! Zoey!” the chorus of voices shouts. “Over here! Give us a whirl!”
I do a quick spin, smiling as the flash of the cameras goes off all around me, and then give Dean a quick kiss on the cheek. The moment I do, flashes from dozens and dozens of cameras explode from the sidelines, the white almost strong enough to drown out the bright red from the carpet.
“How are you guys dealing with all the success?”
“Care to share any stories from the wedding?”
“Will you two be working together on your next project?”
There are so many questions thrown at us, and they come so suddenly, that I don’t even know where to turn to. Lead actresses are used to this kind of scrutiny, but not me. I’m a simple stuntwoman and I never thought my name would be known outside the industry.
Even now, I’m struggling to accept the fact that we’re walking down the red carpet, a privilege that’s usually not extended to those doing the stunts. But William’s movie—which the studio aptly namedRoad Flames—was a massive hit with the critics, and as most of them were quick to point out, it was mostly due to the exciting stunt work.
Some even say there should be a push to have a category for stunt work at the Oscars.
I appreciate all that. But at the end of the day, all that glowing praise pales in comparison to the joy I get from being with Dean. We’ve been married for a few months now, and as lovey-dovey as it might sound, our relationship truly just keeps on getting better and better. I have no idea how that’s possible, but that’s what’s happening. Dean changed my life for the best, making my insecurities and fears vanish into thin air and showing me how powerful true love can be.
“Any idea about what your next project might be?” a reporter asks, her voice cutting through all the others. Knowing that this is a question I can answer easily, I lace my arm through Dean’s and walk toward the stanchions lining the red carpet.
Not a second later, there are a dozen microphones in front of my face.
“We’re actually taking a short break from stunt work,” I reply, and I can’t stop myself from glancing at Dean. He’s doing his best not to burst out laughing. “We want to do some traveling.”
“Traveling? Where to?” the reporter asks. “Any destination in mind?”
The maternity ward, I want to say, and I have to resist the urge to drape one hand over my growing belly. My baby bump isn’t noticeable yet, but I can feel the glow of a new life deep inside me already.
Yep—Dean and I are going to become parents, hence our break from stunt work. As much as we love our jobs, nothing compares to bringing a new life into this world.
“We’re still deciding,” I tell the reporter, then pull Dean away with me before the reporter has the chance to ask another question. We still haven’t shared the news of my pregnancy with Dean’s family, and I don’t want them to find out about it from some gossipy website.
Dean and I pose for a couple more photos. When a limo stops at the end of the carpet to drop off a couple of A-listers, we use the distraction to make our way into the cinema.
We’re still looking for our seats when I notice one of the actors in the movie standing to the side, talking to someone else. I immediately recognize her as Becca, the young woman who had to jump out of Dean’s way in his last scene.
I give Becca a little wave, which she doesn’t notice, and then I overhear a snippet of the conversation she’s having.
“I workedsohard,” she’s saying, a sad tone to her voice. “I just don’t understand. The director seemed to like me. All I got was positive feedback. And yet I was still cut out of the movie. I mean, sure, I wasn’t inthatmany scenes. But I never expected this.”
I can’t help myself.
“Gimme a second,” I tell Dean, slipping my arm out from his. I make a beeline straight toward Becca and tap her on the shoulder. She turns around, both eyebrows shooting up as she recognizes me.
“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation,” I tell her. “That’s happened to me before, too, being cut out of a movie. The first time that happened I actually cracked a couple of ribs during shooting, and the scene didn’t even make the cut.”
“Ouch.” Becca frowns.
I place a hand on her arm and give it a little squeeze. “It’s just a matter of keeping at it. You’re a wonderful actress, Becca. Just keep putting yourself out there. Things will happen for you someday.”
She gives me a nod, and a smile slowly spreads across her lips.
