Chapter 26
Lin’s calling me on video chat, and I’m afraid to find out why. “Sorry.” I glance at Noah. “I need to take this.”
He nods and gets up from the couch. “I’ll go order the pizza.”
When he’s out of the room, I tap the screen to answer. “Lin,” I say in greeting.
“Hey, I guess you’ve seen the news.” She cuts straight to the point.
“I did. It’s pretty hard to miss.”
Lin sucks on her vape, then exhales before speaking again. “Took off faster than expected, that’s for sure. No one connected to the film can go anywhere in this town without getting a microphone shoved in their face. Good thing you’re not here.”
She shakes her vape at me. “But listen, the story may have broken, but you still need to keep a low profile. And don’t talk to anyone about what’s happening. Not a word.”
Cringing inside, I glance at the hallway where Noah just disappeared. “Right. I won’t.”
“Especially since I just heard from casting.”
I whip my eyes back to the phone. “Casting?” My legs shake, making me glad I’m already sitting down. “About my audition?”
That was fast. Too fast.
“They passed on me,” I say, finality deadening my voice.
“No, no, no.” She gives me a smug look. “I called to let you know you made the final cut for consideration.”
“Really?” Now my voice goes up an octave, floating on pure elation. “I can’t believe it. I only sent in my audition last night.” But six p.m. in France is nine a.m. in California. They had all of yesterday to review submissions.
“Yeah, you and three others are in the running.”
“Do I know them?” I ask, already sizing up my unknown competition.
“They didn’t share the names, but don’t worry, your tape was good. Still, there are no guarantees. You know how these things go.”
I do. I remember my mother once ranting about the unfairness of Hollywood, how she wasn’t cast because she was too tall for the leading man.
“You doing okay over there?” Lin asks.
“Learning my way around.”
“Good, good. Okay, I’ll keep you updated.
Just hang in there. Eventually, the vultures will grow tired of chasing interviews and quotes about The Last Wave.
Plus, a high-profile couple just announced their divorce, so that’s diverting some of the attention.
Before long, the news cycle will have moved on, and you can come home. ”
She winks at me. “Hopefully to prepare for your new role.”
My heart squeezes and flutters, excitement fizzing in my chest like Champagne about to burst. “Thanks, Lin. Thank you so much.”
“You got it. Talk soon.” And with that, she’s gone.
I’m too thrilled to stay seated, so I hop up and trot to the kitchen. Grabbing the door jamb, I swing around, just in time to see Noah hang up.
“Pizza will be here in—” He breaks off when he sees me. “That must have been some phone call.”
“It was.” I ball my hands together and walk over to him. “That was Lin, my agent. She had some good news. Well, pretty good. Not the best. But still good.” I hear myself babbling and press my lips together.
Taking two calming breaths, I gather myself, though I still feel like I’m coming out of my skin.
“There’s this part I auditioned for. Actually, I didn’t even know about it until I got here, but Lin sneaked the script into my luggage.
Anyway,” I say, realizing I’m still prattling.
“I’ve spent the last few days preparing to send in my video. ”
“And?” Noah steps closer, holds out his hands in anticipation.
“I made the final cut. It’s down to me and three others.”
“Congratulations.” Noah moves in and hugs me, and for a split second, it’s like we’ve known each other for years. Just two good friends sharing a joyful moment.
Then in an instant, things change. A shift in electricity, generating heat in every place where his skin touches mine.
I ease back, arms still looped over his shoulders. A current passes between us, and I swear I can feel his heart beating against mine. Hard, fast, insistent.
His fingers grip my waist, and he pulls me closer, dark eyes never leaving mine. His expression softens as he leans in, his lips inches from mine.
Then the kiss.
My blood warms as it travels through my body. I push closer. He slides his hand to my back.
A loud ting! sounds behind Noah’s neck. We both freeze, then pull apart.
My phone is still in my hand from my call with Lin, so the push notification chimed right in his ear.
Noah gives me a kiss, but just a peck on the lips, as if he’s putting a bookmark where we left off. “I’ll pour us some wine.”
He crosses the kitchen and opens a wine bottle, giving me time to check my phone. And space to consider what just passed between us.
While he takes two glasses from a cabinet, I open the app and tap the little red dot at the top of the screen. I have a new follower.
I read the notification.
All the heat from the kiss is replaced by shock.
Doucebête started following you.
It’s French, but I remember that name. I remember because I typed it into my translator.
Douce bête.
Sweet beast.
The person Rose mentioned in her post, saying she would always treasure their time together. Time they spent here. In Paris.
“Do you like sangiovese?” Noah asks, holding up a bottle. “It pairs well with pepperoni.”
“Sure,” I say slowly, still focused on my phone.
Noah can tell I’m distracted. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, sorry.” I glance up at him. “Someone just followed me, but I don’t know who they are.” I try to pronounce the name but butcher it.
Noah repeats the words, working out what I’m trying to say. His brows shoot up when he gets it. “Douce bête.” His pronunciation sounding nothing like mine.
“Right,” I say, tapping the generic photo. Not a face but a swirl of colors.
“Sweet beast.” Noah comes over with the glasses of wine. He looks over my shoulder and says, “Yeah. That’s Luci.”