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“I’m fine, despite all evidence to the contrary.”
A few minutes later, the crew reassembled, and Harper and I joined the other three actors in the car. Taylor whispered, “Could you maybe not fuck it up this time, Kandinsky?”
Harper snapped, “Stop being such a douche, Taylor.”
The two of them bickered until the assistant director called, “Quiet on the set.”
When Lang called, “Action,” we all piled out of the car.
Jack said his line, then Emma and Harper said theirs. I could practically feel the tension on the set as I turned to look at the house and said softly, “It’s beautiful. I always thought it was the most wonderful place in the whole world.”
Everyone held their breath for a beat as we all waited for Lang to stop the scene for the millionth time. But that didn’t happen, so Harper delivered his second line, and Taylor finally got to recite his. In the next instant, Lang called, “Cut,” and Harper and I grinned at each other.
* * *
The rest of the day proceeded at a slow pace, and we all began to realize that was Lang’s style. I’d been told he liked to do a lot of takes, and that was no joke. We still managed to finish shooting that first scene before lunch, and the rest of the afternoon was spent on a scene with the five of us playing cards around the dining room table. It was one of the more lighthearted parts of the film, and Taylor got called out by the director twice as often as I did, so I was in good spirits by the time we finished for the day.
After I changed out of Alex’s grunge-inspired wardrobe and back into my own clothes, I took off my makeup, then searched my trailer for my phone. When I didn’t find it, I assumed Phoenix had taken it with him for some reason, maybe to charge it, or to alphabetize my apps, or whatever he’d thought of to keep himself busy.
By the time I went back outside, it was starting to get dark and the set was pretty empty, except for a handful of crew members who were putting away the last of the equipment. Harper joined me as I locked up and said, “I didn’t bring a copy of the pages for tomorrow. Do you need them?”
I shook my head. “I have my lines memorized.”
“Nice, me too. So, have you ever filmed a love scene before?”
“No, and I’m dreading it.”
He chuckled and said, “I’ll try not to take that personally.”
“Not because it’s with you! I just know it’s going to look and feel incredibly awkward, especially with Lang and the whole crew staring at us.”
“I’m just teasing. Also, we can request that they pare down the crew to essential personnel only if you want. Other than that, we just need to get comfortable with each other,” he said, as he held his arms out. “Let’s start with a hug. I promise this isn’t me putting the moves on you. I just really don’t want to shoot five hundred takes tomorrow.”
“Neither do I.” I hesitated before wrapping my arms around him, then snuggled close and joked, “You should have led off with the fact that this sweater is cashmere. I’d have been all over you much faster.”
He chuckled and said, “Oh, I see how it is. I’m only worth hugging if I’m wrapped in silky softness.”
Once we let go of each other, I looked up at him and said, “This was a good idea. I already feel a little better about tomorrow.”
“Bad news, I’m about to make it weird again,” he said, with an embarrassed grimace. “I should warn you that I might get an erection while we’re filming, since I’ll probably be rubbing against you while we simulate having sex. Apologies in advance.”
“I can’t believe Lang thought it would be a good idea to shoot that scene on day two. Where’s the logic in that?”
Harper shrugged. “There’s no logic, but at least we can get it out of the way.”
“True. Then all I have to dread is my love scene with a girl. Talk about uncomfortable.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were gay.”
I said flatly, “Right, because I’m super butch.”
“I never assume anything.”
“That’s a wise policy.”
He asked, “While we’re at it, do you want to try a kiss?”
I frowned and muttered, “I don’t know about that.”
“It’s up to you. I just thought it’d be good to get the first one over with before we have a camera on us.”
He had a point. I hesitated before stretching up and experimentally pressing my lips to his. Then I stepped back and muttered, “That was awkward.”
“It really was.”
“No offense, but it felt like kissing a cardboard cutout.”
Harper burst out laughing, and then he said, “I really don’t have to worry about developing an overinflated ego with you around.”
