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For all the mental buildup, the scene goes off without a hitch. If anything, Connor blows everyone away. When I look through the camera at the playback, my producer mind can’t help but think what an incredible star he could be on screen. The fact he has no interest in it whatsoever most likely gives him the electric vibe we’re capturing.
Because he could really give two Fs.
“Thanks for letting me borrow your man, Ronni. If you don’t need me this afternoon, I’m gonna jet.” Clover sneaks up behind me and throws her arm around my waist. “Wouldn’t it be great if they cast him opposite my character next year?”
I purse my lips playfully. “Oh, I’m not sure he’d be down.”
“Well, if you want to know the gossip, everyone’s convinced you picked the best rockstar in LTZ,” she teases.
I shoo her away. “I don’t care about gossip. Everyone knows Ty and I were just a publicity relationship. Connor’s my man.”
“A fine man he is. And funny. You did amazing, my friend.” Clover pulls me into a hug. “See you on Monday.”
“Thank you.” I wave as she leaves.
I stroll around the set as the crew gets the afternoon shot set up, looking for Connor. I don’t get far. Kris stops me to get feedback on PR and marketing materials. Before I know it, an hour’s gone by. I have no idea where Connor is. As it stands, I have just enough time to grab a piece of fruit before it’s time to shoot the next scenes.
My phone buzzes. It’s a voicemail from Connor.
“I’m in a car on the way home, I didn’t want to interrupt your meeting with Kris. Yolanda called, Tristan fell. He has a little gash on his forehead. Apparently, it’s not serious but I wanted to get him to the emergency room right away.”
Instant. Total. Panic.
I dial my husband. He answers on the first ring. I don’t give him a chance to even say hello. My fury level is on eleven. “I’m on my way. In the future, if one of my sons is hurt or sick, that is more important than anything I’m doing at the minute. It’snotcool to leave a message telling me you’retaking my baby to the ER,and you didn’t want to interrupt me. That will never. Ever.Ever. Be. Okay.”
“Look Mae, I’m home already let me…” Connor sounds a bit panicked.
“Find what’s going on and text me where to meet you.” I’m nearly out of breath as I run to the production office to grab my purse. “We are going to have aserioustalk about Yolanda’s judgement.”
“Okay, sure…I’m at the door now. I’ll call you...” He yells for Yolanda and the phone goes silent.
He hung up.
If furious described me before, multiply that times one thousand. I’m irate. Fuming. Incensed.
Scared.
That prickly thing along my spine that always tells me when something’s off is engaged in a big way. In my rush to get to the car that’s waiting for me, I don’t notice the slight, waif of a woman who grabs my sleeve as pass her.
“Veronica Miller?” she says loudly, causing a couple of the crew to look up.
“Yes. Look, I have an emergency, I’m in a hurry…”
She shoves an envelope into my hand. “You’ve been served.”
It’sstrange to think we won’t live here for much longer.
Today is unusually windy. I don’t mind, I’ve always loved the smell of the ocean out here on the deck. Not that I have time to enjoy it much. Too much to do. Too many decisions to make. Another deep breath and I walk up to the house where movers are packing up our—Ronni’s—furniture under Paxton’s direction. His final task as her PA. So I overheard. Apparently, he's taking a job with a PR firm.
I set the baby monitor down on the kitchen counter. The boys are still sound asleep so I make myself an espresso before the kitchen gets packed up. Sit at the counter and watch a guy wind cellophane around the living room furniture. Reflect on what an insane turn of events the past two weeks have been.
Don’t get me wrong, as happy as I am we’re temporarily moving into the Seattle townhouse—we’ll get to celebrate the twins’ first birthday with my family—Ronni’s swift, unilateral decision has my brain feckin’ whirling.
She’s been mental since the day Tristan bumped his head in Vancouver. I’m still working through what brought us to this point.
Never, in a billion years, did I think I’d enjoy the acting gig. But I did. It was fun. I got into it. When Ronni told me I’d be shirtless? I was surprised, but I work hard to stay fit. I’m not ashamed of my body, so it didn’t matter a whit to me.
Of course, it took me by surprise when Ronni got weird about my kissing scene with her friend Clover. It wasn’t even remotely feckin’ real. My wife’s the one who taught me about love scenes years ago when she was still on her sitcom,She’sAllThat. For this show, we rehearsed with the on-set intimacy coordinator. Everything was set. I was nervous. I’m not an actor, after all, but I felt okay. I was willing go outside my comfort zone for Ronni.
