NATALIE

“She doesn’t have the vulnerability you need for the addict,” I sigh at the end of another unsatisfying audition for his lead female role.

Rubbing his eyes, Max leans back on his couch. I’m on one of his side chairs and we’ve moved things around for actors to be able to work. A point-and-shoot video camera sits high on a tripod next to him, waiting to be disappointed again.

“I don’t know, Natalie. She was really beautiful. I could see the hero falling for her.”

My stomach tightens but I shove the jealous reaction way, way down. “You’re just losing hope you’ll ever find the right girl. But think about it, the scene she just read was far into Marnie’s addiction.”

“She was too in control.” Max nods. “The cocaine is in control of her. You’re right.” Concentrating on the headshot she left behind he mutters, “We haven’t found our leads yet. How many people have we seen, fifty?”

“If you count the submissions—”

“I don’t have that kind of time,” he sighs, stretching so far back that his shirt rises above the top of his belt buckle. I stare at the happy trail for a hot second, then blink away.

“Why do we still need these in paper? It’s archaic.”

“Easier to organize when you’re pairing up couples, family members. You shuffle them around and bam, easy.”

Standing up I stretch my body, bend to one side then the other, enjoying the pull against my tight rib cage, how my hips are loosening up. “I’ll get the next girl in here.”

“Hang on,” Max says, his voice throatier.

I look over and find green eyes tinted with desire. Like a predator stalking prey he rises from his chair. Stepping back I cock an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

“Natalie,” he murmurs closing the distance with each sure step.

“We’ve been so good. It’s been a whole week. Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” he half-smiles, hungry gaze falling as he brushes his lips across mine and sends a shiver into my blood. “This? I didn’t see you for four days of that week you’re so proud of.”

“You’ll find your lead actors.”

“Not that kind of frustration. This kind.”

A gentle knock interrupts us.

As he walks to answer, Max shoots me the sexiest smile over his shoulder. “Saved by the knock.”

He opens the door for a delicate blonde with blue eyes so pretty and long-lashed I instantly fix my hair.

Max cocks his head. “Hello.”

She smiles and my jaw slackens. I swear the girl glows with crystalized fairy dust. “Sorry, I was waiting for an audition and I have to go to another one right after this, but I didn’t want to miss yours, so I knocked.”

“Come in…”

“Colleen,” she offers.

Hypnotized he says, “I’m Max,” as legs-for-miles does the runway walk to where I’m standing by his couch with the green-monster on my back.

“Hi, I’m Natalie, the producer.”

She brightens up because everyone knows the producer has a lot of say in who books the job. “So nice to meet you,” she gushes, handshake stronger than I would have expected.

“Are you available for the shoot dates?”

“I am totally free, yes.” Colleen walks to her mark, a line of tape on the floor that shows her where we’ve focused the camera. We’re shooting medium shots, which I’ve learned is lower ribcage up.

Max walks to the camera and asks, “And you’re willing to work for low-budget rates?”

Her huge eyes go wider in curiosity. “It’s a union project, isn’t it?”

“Yes, we’re using modified low budget contracts from SAG-AFTRA.”

She relaxes like it’s the biggest relief. “Yes, of course, then. I just don’t want to jeopardize my standing with SAG, you know how it is. Takes you so long to get in, you don’t want to be thrown out.”

“Did you bring a headshot?”

Those big eyes again. “Oh, do you need one? I thought everyone used the photos that were submitted through the website.”

Max’s lips tighten with pride as he shrugs, “Right. We do. That’s all we’re using. But some people are bringing them in, so I didn’t want you to feel bad.”

She blinks at him. “I don’t.”

I hand him his script and don’t broadcast that I know he’s lying through his teeth to protect his wounded ego, finding out that she might be more advanced in how things are really done than he is. That wouldn’t be kind and I want his confidence high.

Hitting record, he takes it from me without looking, and I realize he hasn’t looked at me once since she arrived. With every other girl he’s sought my opinion, reading my eyes with a curious glance to see if I thought she was a true potential. But not with this actress. She has his full attention as she turns away, locking her eyes on the ground to prepare.

Max has been reading the other character’s lines during all of the auditions. I told him there was no way I’d do it, and he laughed at me. But now as Colleen turns around with tears already in her eyes, I purse my lips and wish it wasn’t him that beautiful vulnerability was directed at.

“Jaden, no! Don’t leave me!” Her body bends slightly like she might fall, arms reaching for him. “I’m sorry. I messed up again, I know, but I’m trying. Don’t you see I’m trying? I need a fix. I don’t want it, Jaden, I need it! I need it. Please you have to help me!”

Max acts the part well, his eyes stricken but firm, “I’ve got no money left to give you.”

‘Marnie’ buckles at the knees. Reacting quickly, excitement in his eyes, Max lowers the camera angle to capture her as she sobs. Truly cries with all of her heart like he just killed her chance at happiness. I sit forward in my seat, stunned as she weeps and reaches for him, looking like a bird with broken wings. “Don’t say that! You have to give me more. Just a few dollars! I can make it last. I’ll stretch it! I promise! Just this one time!”

“You said that last time.”

She wilts, voice weakening. “Okay,” she whispers.

“Okay? What does that mean?”

“Nothing,” she whispers again, eyes down, tears silently streaming.

“Marnie, what are you gonna do? I don’t like this.”

“I need a fix, Jaden. I need one.” Her eyelashes rise. “You didn’t mean it when you said it was over between us, did you?”

“Yes,” he rasps, wincing. He hates hurting her and I don’t think he’s acting.

I stare at him a second, then look back to watch ‘Marnie’s’ eyes harden a little. Just a hint, but it’s deep and powerful.

“You need to go, Jaden. I want to be alone.”

He demands, “What are you going to do?”

“You said it’s over,” she sneers then shouts, “So go! Leave! Get out of here!” Breaking down she hugs her knees, rocking. “You don’t love me anymore. You don’t love me.”

“Marnie, my brothers, they’re making me stop seeing you…I can’t throw my life away just because I love you.”

“Go!” she screams, red faced.

I’m speechless as she wilts and stays quiet, sniffling. Glancing from me to Max, Colleen wipes her cheek and gives him the sweetest smile. “Was that okay?”

“Wow,” he whispers, lowering his script, paper brushing his grey jeans. “Wow.”

My heart is slamming in my chest as I stand up. “That was very good, Colleen. I hope you make your other audition in time.”

She smiles at me, rising up. “Thank you. It’s for another film, so I don’t want to miss it.”

Max comes to life like somebody kicked him from behind, rushing to her and saying, “It doesn’t conflict with my film, does it?”

She tucks flaxen hair behind her ear and nods, “Yes, but—”

“—But nothing! Tell your agent you can’t make it. You’re Marnie! You’re exactly who I envisioned for this role.”

“Really?” Amazed, she glances from him to me. “I’ve got the part?”

My lips are thin as I smile, “Mmhmm.”

“Yay, because they loved your script and sent it right over the second they read it. I devoured the thing immediately. You’re such a great writer, Max, really! It was so moving and heartfelt and I hoped I would get a chance, you know? This is so exciting! Thank you!” She touches his arm, gazing up at him with such beauty that I have to look at the floor.

It’s Max who’s in that sunbeam. And he’s basking in it.

Faking an incoming call I dig my phone out and head for the door. “Excuse me, I have to take this.”