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Candy and I already filmed most of these scenes, too, which sucks even more. The less time I have to spend with that insipid girl, the better. She waltzed out over an hour ago to get coffee, which is ridiculous. She has a personal assistant who could do that for her, and all she drinks is Starbucks sugar lattes, which she can get from the studio lot.
When she finally returns, the director is pissed. He stomps over to her as she’s walking in, with no sign of a coffee in hand.
“We’ve been waiting on you!” he yells, his face red. “We’re already behind with this rewrite. Where have you been?”
“I had to get coffee; I told you that.”
“Send an intern next time!”
“They’d get it wrong. I had to go to a special shop on 1st Street. They’re the only ones who can make my coffee right.”
My stomach drops. That is where Leila’s design shop is. It can’t be a coincidence that Candy, whom I know will drink nothing but Starbucks, went downtown in mid-morning traffic to get coffee from some random shop.
The director screams at Candy some more, but she’s nonplussed. The girl is used to getting her way, and she seems to know that no one would dare fire her or even really yell at her, though the director is coming close.
When he’s finally done, Candy saunters over to me with a grin on her face.
“Where’s the coffee?” I ask her.
She shrugs. “Must’ve lost it on the way here.”
“I know why you went to that shop specifically. Leave Leila alone. She has never done anything to you.”
“She stole my man, but it doesn’t matter now. You both tried to tell me your relationship was fine. Funny, it sure seems like you’ve both moved on. It’s only been a few days. Was your thing ever real, or were you just trying to make me jealous?”
She paws at my shirt, and I step away. “I mean it, Candy. Leave Leila alone. We’re doing fine like we both told you.”
“Then why was Leila out on a date with a very handsome man today? Sure seemed like she was getting nice and chummy with him. Bet you didn’t know about that. Either she moves on quickly, or she was two-timing you while you were together. That wouldn’t matter if it were all fake, would it?”
“It wasn’t fake,” I shout. “And it still isn’t. I doubt you saw Leila with anyone, but if you did, he was a friend, colleague, or client. She’s not cheating on me.”
Candy blows out a breath. “You two are impossible. She said the same thing when I told her about our date.”
“We’ve never been on a date.”
“That’s not what I told her. Looks like it’s time to film!”
“Have you memorized the new script?”
“I’ll wing it.”
I heave a frustrated sigh. Candy is impossible to work with. I don’t know how or why she was ever hired for this role. Well, I guess I do know, and it has everything to do with her famous father. Nepotism is real in Hollywood, and the threads run deep.
I step onto the living room set, and when the director says ‘action,’ I try to get into character and be the guy who is falling in love with Candy, but it’s not working. After four takes with a disappointed director, he climbs down from his chair and trudges over to us.
“I want it on record that the two of you should never be in another movie together. I have never seen two people with less chemistry.”
“That’s not true!” Candy defends desperately. “We have so much chemistry. Maybe we’re just struggling to hide our attraction.”
“I don’t buy it for a minute. But if it’s the case, stop struggling. I need you two to make this work. Your characters are best friends who are falling in love. Not complete strangers.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” I say. “I’ll try to do better.”
The director nods. “That’s all I ask. I don’t care who you need to pretend you’re talking to but do it. I want these scenes cut today so we can slow down. And I’m not letting this movie flop because you can’t pretend to like each other.”
“I’m not pretending,” Candy mumbles. I roll my eyes. She knows how to put it on thick.
“I can do it.”
“Good. Now, back to one. This better be our last take!”
I get to my spot and close my eyes, taking a few deep breaths to get myself into character. It’s not easy, but I finally think I’ve got it. When I open my eyes, Candy is there, looking at me like a woman in love. I hate it. It’s all wrong, but this is my job. I’m good at acting, and I need to act like the sight of Candy doesn’t make me sick.
Instead of my terrible costar, I imagine it’s Leila standing in front of me. My face softens, and I nail every line because I’m talking to her and not Candy.
