Thanks, Kelly said. This whole job is really taking a toll on my ego.
Youre gorgeous, Jane assured her. Look. That classic profile, that perfect nose. Those cheekbones couldnt get any higher. She grabbed a pot of lip liner. And look at this mouth. All those women who get their lips plumped up have got to be green with envy when they see yours.
All right, my ego is soothed, Kelly said with a laugh. No need to overdo.
Jane carefully filled in with lipstick then handed Kelly a tissue to blot. Youre set. Come on, Ill take you out and introduce you to Nicole. Shes the segment producer.
Kelly looked at herself in the mirror. She still looked good. There were plenty of actresses her age that looked older. Drawing a deep breath, she cleared her mind of all the insecurities and self-doubts. This was just another acting job. And though it might be the last of her career, shed be the consummate professional.
And later, when she got back to her hotel, she could give in to all the emotions that raged inside of her and have a really good cry.
ZACH HAAS STOOD in the shadows of the set, staring through the lens of the television camera at the woman sitting on the park bench. Since shed walked onto the set, he hadnt been able to take his eyes off of her.
He zoomed in on her face, which was turned in profile, and studied her features. Hed worked behind the camera at Just Between Us for six months now and he couldnt recall ever seeing a more extraordinary woman. Every feature of her face was in delicate balance with the others. Perfection, he mused. And just slightly exotic. He couldnt put his finger on her heritage, but it was a tantalizing mix that had given her deep mahogany hair and pale green eyes and smooth porcelain skin.
All right, Nicole Reavis said, lets get started. Why dont we do a quick run-through while George adjusts the lighting and then well roll tape? We have four short little scenes here. Cultural references, life experiences, sexual compatibility and future happiness. In this first one, youve just met and youre talking about music. Kelly, this is where you realize that Bryan has never really listened to the music that defines your life. And it makes you uneasy. Nicole stepped back and walked back toward the control room. Whenever youre ready, she called.
They were taping with two cameras and Zach waited to hear Nicoles voice through the headset he wore. Shed give him and John the cues for close-ups and wide shots, as well as calling out directions to the actors over the P.A. system in the studio.
All right, lets get this on tape, Nicole called after theyd run their lines.
Kelly glanced over at the cameras with a nervous look. IIm used to rehearsing a bit more. Can we just run it a couple more times?
Dont worry, Nicole said. Well fix any problems in editing. From the top.
Zach focused on Kelly and smiled to himself as she began to deliver her lines. Hed spent a lot of time looking through a camera at all sorts of people and places. Nearly six years in film school, first undergrad in Colorado and then graduate school at City University of New York, had taught him that not everyone looked good on film. But no one had ever looked quite as beautiful as this woman. She was like one of those movie stars from the thirties, glamorous and alluring.
He felt a frisson of desire shoot through him and he drew a ragged breath. Ever since hed come to Atlanta, hed been careful to avoid any serious entanglements with the opposite sex. There had been women hed felt mildly attracted to and women hed taken to bed. After all, he was twenty-four years old. A guy had needs. But hed avoided anything that came close to a real relationship.
His needs. Thats what had gotten him into trouble in the first place. Or maybe it had been all about the risk, the danger, the kick of seducing an older woman especially a woman with power. But hed never expected her to use that power against him. It had cost him everything hed worked for, everything that meant anything to him.
Zach!
Im here, he murmured to Nicole.
Pull back a bit.
Zach did as he was told, the murmur of Kellys voice serving as a soft counterpoint to his thoughts. The day hed left New York, hed decided to give up his penchant for older women, but now he had cause to reconsider. Kelly Castelle was the first woman hed seen in a long time that had caused an immediate and intense reaction. Though she couldnt be that much older than he was. She looked thirty, tops, and what was six years?
Im sorry, Kelly said, rubbing her forehead. She looked up. Can we go back and do that again?
If youd read the line right in the first place, we could all get out of here!
Kelly gasped, then turned to look at Lockwood. I just think the pacing is a little quick for this scene.
Cut! Nicole shouted.
Zach frowned, then stepped out from behind the camera.
Bryan Lockwood stood up and shook his head, throwing his hands up dramatically. This is ridiculous. Im just not feeling it. Shes not giving me anything to work with here. Whats my motivation? Why would I even take a second look at a woman her age?
Im sorry, Kelly said, her voice trembling slightly. IIm just used to a bit more rehearsal. Lets do it again. Im sure Ill be able to get it right
No, Bryan replied, Im used to working with professionals. Its obvious you dont know what youre doing.
Zach felt his temper rise. Just who was this jerk? He had no right to talk to Kelly this way. But before he could speak up, Kelly stood up and whacked the guy over the head with her script.
Listen, youyou littleshit. I was studying acting with some of New Yorks finest teachers while you were still watching Barney. I was doing Shakespeare in the park while you were playing a munchkin in your grade-school production of The Wizard of Oz. Dont you dare question my professionalism or my talent. Ive been at this for fifteen years. When youve been a working actor for that long, buster, you come and see me and then well talk.
The names Bryan, he muttered. Bryan Lockwood. Remember it. Youre going to be hearing a lot about me in the next few years.
The only person wholl remember you in ten years will be your mother.
I dont need this job, he muttered. Get yourself some community-theatre castoff to do this. With that, Bryan Lockwood turned on his heel and strode off the set.
And you better look into hair plugs right now, Kelly shouted after him, because youre going bald!
The door slammed behind Lockwood and the studio became eerily silent. Kelly, wide-eyed and flushed with temper, glanced between Nicole and the assistant producer. She swallowed hard, then attempted a smile. Im sorry. II dont know what got in to me. Ive never, ever spoken to a colleague that way. Tears swam in her eyes. II dont know what to say. Please forgive me. IIll just be going now.
Hold it, Nicole said. Youre not going anywhere.
II just assumed youd befiring me.
Well call in another actor. Well have to find someone local. And make a note. We are not paying for Mr. Lockwoods plane ticket home. Geez, what an ass.
Im so sorry, Kelly said. I just dont know what got in to me. Ive never done anything like that before, I swear.
Nicole rubbed her temple as if to ease a tension headache coming on. Were not going to be able to stick to our taping schedule if we have to wait around for another actor.
Ill do it, Zach said. The words were out of his mouth before he realized hed said them. He slowly stepped out from behind the camera. Hey, it doesnt look that hard. And I took some acting classes in college. Im here and youre paying me anyway, so why dont you let me give it a shot.
He met Kellys gaze and saw a look of gratitude in her pale green eyes. A tiny smile touched the corners of her sensuous mouth and at that very moment, Zach wondered what it might feel like to kiss her. Hed soon find out since there was a kiss written in to the script.
I suppose we dont have anything to lose, Nicole said. Are you sure you want to appear in front of the camera?
Itll be an interesting experience, Zach said. And Larrys been looking for a chance to get behind the camera. He can take my place.
All right, Nicole said, glancing at her watch. Im going to give you two an hour to work this all out and then well try taping it. If it doesnt look good, well call in another actor for tomorrow. She handed him her script.
A few moments later, they were alone in the studio. Kelly sighed softly. Thank you. I dont know what to say.
No problem, Zach said. He was afraid to look at her, afraid that once he did, hed never be able to drag his gaze away. So, I guess we should rehearse.
She held out her hand. Im Kelly Castelle. Extremely embarrassed actress.
Zach took her fingers into his grasp. The moment he touched her, he felt his blood warm and his pulse quicken. She had such beautiful hands, perfectly tinted nails and long fingers. His mind flashed on an image of her fingers skimming over his chest, then moving lower to his belly, and then lower still. Zach stifled a moan. Zach, he murmured. Zach Haas. Accommodating cameraman.
A long silence grew between them. Maybe we should start? she said. We dont have much time.
As they read their lines for the first segment, Zach found himself distracted again and again by a surreptitious study of her face. Even with the cheesy dialogue, she managed to find the true emotion in the script. Her acting seemed so natural and effortless on the surface, but he could sense her analyzing and adjusting as they went along. Obviously the jerk theyd hired to play opposite her hadnt been smart enough to see what she really was. Careful, nuancedreal.
Its your line.
Zach shook himself out of his distraction. What?
You. Its your line. She paused. Im really sorry for this. If you dont want to do this, you dont have to.
I do, Zach answered. I do.
She closed her script and smoothed her fingers over the cover. I dont know what got in to me. Im usually a very calm person. I cant remember the last time I blew up at someone.
Reaching out, Zach smoothed his palm over the back of her hand. He hadnt thought twice about touching her. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world, to soothe her regrets. If its any consolation, he deserved it.
She stared down at his hand, a hesitant smile on her lips. Still, thats no excuse. Drawing a deep breath, she closed her eyes for a moment. Maybe Im having a midlife crisis. Not that I want to run out on my husband and have an affair, but Im just feeling so restless. Like I need to make a huge change in my life or Ill just go crazy.
Do you have a husband? Zach had never considered that prospect. She wasnt wearing a wedding band. But then, she wouldnt wear it if she were playing a single woman in the skit.
No, Kelly replied.
Good. He smiled as he traced a long, unbroken line up her forearm with his fingertip. I mean, good that you havent broken any marriage vows. Not good that youre not married. Unless, you dont want to be married. Then its good.
She giggled and fixed him with a sultry look. How old are you?
Very old, he teased. Ancient by teenage standards.
Im old.
How old? he asked.
In Hollywood, everyone is twenty-nine. Besides, its not polite to ask.
Zach leaned back, stretching his legs out in front of him and linking his hands behind his head. I dont think age makes any difference.
The only people who say that are too young to know better, Kelly said.
Zach clutched his chest. Ouch. That was cruel.
Age makes all the difference, she said with a serious expression. At least where I come from.
You are, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful women Ive ever met. And Id still think that, no matter how many candles you put on your birthday cake.
Kelly blushed. You may not be old, but you are charming beyond your years.
How about we just pretend were the same age?
That would be a bit difficult considering the casting of this skit. She glanced down at the script. We should probably get back to work. We havent gone over the last segment.
The bedroom scene? I figured you were saving the best for last.
This time she laughed, a light, musical giggle that echoed through the studio. You are so cocky.
He grabbed her hand and laced his fingers through hers. I love it when you talk dirty to me.
Change of plans!
Kelly yanked her hand from his and stood up, nervously clutching her script. Nicole swept into the studio and regarded them both with a curious expression. Her eyebrow rose as she gave Zach a disapproving look. Were going to have to put off taping until tomorrow afternoon. Weve got to retape a remote interview for another show before the end of the day. Kelly, well have your driver take you back to the hotel. Well change your plane ticket and get you another night at the hotel. I hope thats all right with you?
Fine, Kelly said. Ill be ready to go tomorrow, I promise.
Then youve rehearsed everything? Nicole asked.
Not everything, Zach quickly said. But we can get together tonight and run lines. Your hotel?
His request took her by surprise, but Zach knew she couldnt refuse extra rehearsal, especially in front of Nicole.
I really think we should keep this on a professional level, she whispered, just out of earshot of Nicole.
I wasnt suggesting a date, he said, grinning.
We can meet early tomorrow, before were scheduled to tape.
Zach wasnt about to give up so easily. He wanted to explore this attraction he had to Kelly and that would take some time outside the studio and away from the prying eyes of his coworkers.
Zach, can I see you in the hall? Nicole asked.
He sent Kelly a smile, then followed Nicole. When they reached the hallway, she turned to him.
Are you sure you took acting classes? she asked.
Zach nodded. Three semesters.
Then you must have missed the lesson where they taught you not to hit on your costars.
Zach chuckled. Im just trying to get the best performance I can out of Miss Castelle.