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“Your office sent that to me a couple of weeks ago. I want the male lead.” It’s been a long time since I came to Levi with any prospects for a movie that I want to actively pursue. Usually, he brings the scripts to me, and it takes more than a few minutes for him to convince me to take the role. This isn’t our usual exchange.
“What about the Reese Witherspoon movie? The rom-com. They’re still casting and afterUnrestrained, I think the producers want you even more.”
“Yeah, but I read this script, and I want to do this.”
Levi reaches for the script and flips through the first couple of pages.
“You’ve never done anything like this.” He looks at me, surprised. He’s right. I’ve never had any interest in starring in a tragic romance-drama. My IMDb list is full of action and rom-coms that’ll bring enough entertainment for my fans to last beyond my lifetime. But I finally want to branch out. I fell into this romance between Aurielle and Thom, her husband. It’s a story of soulmates.
“Okay, I’ll call the producers, see if they want to see you.” He sighs. “But I still think you should consider the Reese Witherspoon movie. I think you’d be a shoo-in for the part.”
“I’ll think about it,” I agree. There’s a beat of silence between us. “I also have a little favor to ask. A personal one.”
“Shoot.”
“You think I could use The Ladybird today?”
“Today?” He nods. “Sure, I can make a call and have it ready in a couple of hours.”
“Great, thanks.”
“Big party planned?” he asks.
“No, more like a date.” I smile, thinking of Ellie.
“Is it the girl from the party? Ellen, is it?”
“Ellie. Yeah, it is.”
He doesn’t say anything as he shrugs his shoulders.
“Is there something wrong with that?”
“No, nothing wrong.” His tone is unconvincing. Like he wants to say something but he’s keeping his thoughts to himself.
“What?”
“Just take things slow,” he finally says after a hesitant pause. His advice is guarded, one that he wants to give but doesn’t feel comfortable meddling in.
“You’ve never seemed too concerned about my personal life before.”
He hesitates before speaking again. “Yeah, but she’s not from here.”
“She grew up in LA.”
He lowers his chin, causing his brows to furrow as he keeps his eyes on me. “You know what I mean. She doesn’t understand your life. It’ll only be a matter of time until she realizes how different things are in our world.” His words hit me like a rock, straight to the chest while pouring over the guilt of hoping, even for a second, that Ellie and I could have evolved into something.
I huff, which comes out as a light scoff.
“Listen,” he continues. “You’re an adult. I’m not here to tell you how to live your life. Just don’t rush into anything.”
“Yeah,” I answer, my gaze aimed at the floor, away from Levi.
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. It’s as if the second I landed my first leading role, I made a deal with the devil, selling my soul in exchange for stardom. Any hint of a life that doesn’t revolve around notoriety was left in the dust, the possibility of me and Ellie buried under it, making me realize that we don’t add up.
“And be careful,” Levi adds.
“Will do.” I pick up the script and walk towards the glass doors, leaving behind the shrill sounds of ringing telephones that never seem to stop and the obvious doubts that surround whatever is blossoming between myself and Ellie.
