Chapter 19
Chapter nineteen
Audrey Rayburn
I’ve always been drawn to the background players in this industry. The ones quietly doing the real work in Hollywood.
As a planner, my mind is always spinning. Crafting the idea, managing the concept, orchestrating everything from start to finish.
I never imagined orchestrating my own love life. Aidan is far into the distance, talking with someone with a fancy title and Holden is somewhere in the crowd, watching me from afar.
This lonely tabletop is looking better and better.
To think Aidan and I had a whole six-hour plane ride to bridge the gap between us. Now Holden is here begging me to choose. A piece of paper or a key.
It’s not lost on me that Chris knew exactly where I was.
A gust of wind hits me all at once as I am pushed into the table I am leaning against, steadying my balance from these god-awful shoes.
“A luz sabe” chants to me as my body collapses against the side of the table, shaking the tablecloth holding a plate of food that belongs to the person next to me from the table to the ground.
My feet are standing near a bunch of mini crab cakes. The woman’s back is turned to me as I scramble to pick up a couple before she notices.
When I finally stand back up with handfuls of food in my palms, the words “holy shit” slip out of my mouth.
She is fully aware I just dropped her food.
“Excuse me?”
I see her vividly—her cascading red hair and gold, sequined ball gown. The distinctive face that anyone in Hollywood would recognize.
“Would you like me to get you new ones?”
“No, thank you.”
Her gaze drifts somewhere over my shoulder.
I try to follow where her eyes go. It takes me a few moments to realize she is staring at another man—speckles of salt in his dark brown hair, clearly in shape for someone that is probably pushing fifty.
My eyes dart from her to this man, watching the both of them exchange looks across the room.
I need to say something. Anything. It’s Audrey Rayburn in the flesh. The odds of me running into her again are slim to none. My mouth can’t seem to open.
“Want me to push you again?” Skye says daringly.
Audrey remains unmoved from our little hideaway from the party as I stand next to her, deciding what I should say. The pulsing around my neck is getting more painful with each passing moment.
“Uhh, what brought you here?”
She looks up, expressionless. “I am trying to secure some financing for my next movie.” She looks at me for a split second before hurriedly texting on her phone.
“Oh cool.”
I have no follow-up. Nothing to add to this riveting exchange except “Oh cool”? I am hopeless.
She’s still texting as she goes on. “Yeah, the Whitmores are being a little stingy this year, but I think if I can meet their son, then things might take a turn,” she reveals to me and my mouth drops.
“Aidan?”
“You know him?”
I hesitantly nod as I look for him in the crowd.
Great, my big moment with the best producer in town is because of my boyfriend.
“He’s not really in the investing world.” Diverting my attention to the tiny straw in my drink, I fiddle with it in the glass. “Look, you don’t need Whitmore’s money.”
My confession comes out in more of a stammer, knowing full well this will backfire on me.
Audrey runs her fingers through her hair and looks back into the crowd to find where I am looking now.
“And why not?” Her tone is firm. Assured.
The kind of voice that makes you wonder why you don’t talk like that too…
“Well, uh… Aidan isn’t much of a movie guy. He is much more into video games these days. I am not sure if this would pique his interest.”
The rush of heat hits my cheeks. The layers of foundation on my face can’t hide the panic that shows up in red splotches all over my skin.
Audrey stares at me for a split second, deciphering what to do with this information. I don’t even know what to do with this admission.
Aidan would probably be thrilled at the chance that someone was interested in working with him.
Every awkward second that passes, I keep speaking, doing what Skye dared me to do.
“Your work alone speaks for itself. You need to get backed by someone who will truly see your vision and has experience in the industry.”
The glass of champagne must be going to my head, because I catch myself saying this before my own thoughts have caught up to me.
“You think?” Audrey asks with a hopeful smile. The room suddenly feels so small. I’ve trapped myself in a box. My forehead practically reads, “Don’t ask the Whitmore’s for anything.” There is no stopping me now.
Mrs. Whitmore is surrounded by her high-society friends.
Mr. Whitmore is nowhere to be found as per usual.
Greer is near the garden where all the smokers gather.
Aidan is still talking to the Fairchilds.
“I would have no reason to lie to you. You would do better with attaching a big name to your film or going through a private investor that has a proven track record.”
Audrey sets her phone on the table, turning her body away from the dance floor. Her full attention to me.
“What would you know about my vision?”
She’s now crossing her arms and I want to die inside.
“I am going to take off these heels. I hate them.” The pain alone from these shoes would make anyone lose their mind.
“Tell her how much you like her work. Don’t stop now!” Skye chimes in. I stare at my glass, which no longer has champagne in it.
“I know you are meticulous with every detail. The way you got Alexander Green to direct Two-Skilled after being retired for ten years!
How you managed to turn Stonewall from an indie movie barely scraping by at Sundance to a major box-office production.
“How you got all new writers to curate a script for Under the Mistletoe after the movie had two previous producers drop out.”
My whole body feels elated, every cell in my being buzzing with anticipation.
“You know your stuff.”
I nod.
“Have you produced any of your own films?”
I shake my head.
“She’s going to think you are a mime, Charlotte,” Skye whispers.
“Well, random stranger, I couldn’t agree more. I need someone who just gets it.”
Pushing my shoulders back, I straighten my back.
“To be real with you,” she says, “I am getting outside pressure to secure the financing faster. But you’re right—I can’t be callous about this. They could change my whole vision.”
“Now, who is that guy?” I say, and Audrey lets out a sheepish giggle and starts to blush. Before she says anything she stares at her own glass, fidgeting with it.
“He’s a director that I have worked with a few times and I don’t know, just, um…”
Audrey Rayburn—complete icon that she is—has a crush, just like everyone else and is somehow fumbling over another man. I am glad this is a universal experience and not just a me thing.
“I don’t blame you. I mean, look at him.”
We both look at each other for a split second in silence before we break out in laughter when we catch the man staring at us, confused. A pure laughter that can never be recreated. My chest lifts before I exhale a large breath.
I hear the words, “Well done” from Skye, and that brings a smile to my face. My smile falls instantly when Audrey waves a finger at me that she has to pick up this call before walking away. I didn’t even get a chance to tell her my name.