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“Skylar Ford provided the vocals and the guitar and piano sounds.”
“Do I know her? Is she from here?”
Blake knewheremeant the Hollywood industry. She shook her head. “No, actually Skylar’s from Moonflower Cove. She was part of a band a while ago but is on her own now. This is her first credit in anything, I think.”
“Hm, maybe I can snag her up for a show one day.” He laughed and took another bite of his sandwich. “So, we film an episode a week and your character is slated for four episodes. That’ll put you at four weeks, barring any reshoots.”
“Oh.” She tried not to let her emotions overtake her but it was almost impossible. The idea of spending a month or more away from Alexis and Harper was too much. They were more important than any job Blake could ever be offered. “Oh.”
Shawn smiled empathetically. “I can tell by that look on your face you're going to turn down this role, aren’t you?”
Blake nervously laughed.
“I’ll be honest with you. My wife and I are trying to have a baby. My priorities are my family, and I can’t imagine spending a month away from them during this time.”
“I can make your character pregnant if that would help seal the deal.”
“You’re too kind, but my wife is actually carrying.” She pondered for a moment whether to say any more to him about the topic. It was private, but she wanted him to understand where she was coming from. “We decided she would carry because I had this audition and a couple more lined up. I really thought I’d get back to work and would be okay with that. But being here now, knowing Alexis is home alone and we’re a week away from this whole procedure, my heart is there. Not here. And it wouldn’t be fair to you or the cast or crew for me to take this job. My heart just wouldn’t be in it.”
Shawn nodded and chewed on the last bit of his sandwich. “I want to be mad you’d turn down this offer but I can’t. You’re a good one, Blake. And as long as I’m still around producing shows, I’d love to have you back on one whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Shawn. That means a lot to me. Thank you.”
“But promise me one thing?”
“Of course.”
“You let me help you if you decide to become a producer. Hell, you can even work for me and produce out East if you want. I want to be involved in such a bright future you have.”
“That means so much, Shawn. Thank you. I’ve actually been toying with the idea of filming some indie movies in my town. It’s the perfect setting, in my very biased opinion.”
“Well, I think we can probably figure something out.”
They chatted for a few more minutes as Shawn finished his lunch. Thanking Shawn again, Blake returned to her trailer with his business card tucked into the pocket of her jeans. When she opened the door, Isla was reading on the couch but quickly discarded the book when she saw Blake.
“How did it go?”
“It went great.” Blake sat beside her, pulling her legs up under herself as she put her arm on the back of the couch. “He offered me the job, but…”
“Blake, that’s great!” Isla quickly hugged her as she cut her off. It must have taken a minute for her to register Blake’s hesitation, because when she pulled back, she looked confused. “Wait, did you saybut?”
“I did.”
“Talk to me.”
“I turned it down.”
“What?” Her voice was a mix of sadness and shock. “I thought you really wanted this job?”
“I thought I did. But the filming schedule is a month long for the four episodes my character would be in. That’s a month away from Alexis, possibly when she’s pregnant. And I can’t do that, Mom. Alexis and Harper and our future kid are more important than that.”
“Your father is rolling over in his grave hearing you say that.”
Blake laughed. “Be nice.”
“I’m proud of you, honey. I know this wasn’t an easy decision.”
“Actually, it was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. And you want to know the best part?” She pulled out Shawn’s business card and handed it to Isla. “Shawn wants to help me become a producer. He loved the documentary and said he’d love to help me. He even seemed open to filming movies in the Cove, so who knows what could happen with that.”
