“Max! Hey Max!”

I turn around to search for who could be calling my name. The voice sounds familiar. Natalie points me in the other direction and I mutter, “Oh shit, it’s Ivan, that guy I told you about.”

The film school pal I called a Little-Brain is at this very moment maneuvering through a packed party of the Hollywood elite, toward us.

“Hey buddy, I saw your name in the schedule. Couldn’t believe it,” he smirks. “Thought you didn’t care about festivals, huh? Yet here you are, all the way in Park City, Utah!”

“Hello Ivan.”

“This your lead actress?”

“No, I’m his girlfriend and his producer,” Natalie purrs for the fun of it.

He scans her red sequined mini-dress and black heels, then lifts fuzzy eyebrows to me. “Jeezus, Max, you hit it big time huh?” To her he asks, “What, did you hook up with this guy after you found out his little picture got into the biggest fest there is?”

The old me would’ve punched him. I’m so happy with my life that impulse doesn’t even twitch. Instead I ask Natalie, “You want to enlighten him or should I?”

She gets on her toes and licks my cheek, super sexy look on her face before she turns to Ivan and says, “I met him when he had nothing. Fucked his brains out that day. Became his producer. Oh, did I mention I had no money either? So we shot his film. Actually he started filming while I was being threatened by the mafia.” She waves her hand as if that’s not a big deal. “But as soon as that silly stuff was over, I joined the shoot. We moved in together. Filming wrapped last January. And when I saw the footage I submitted his movie to Sundance without his knowledge and here we are!” Glancing to me she tilts her head. “That about right?”

“Hmmmm, yep.”

Ivan is confused. But suddenly his eyes light up and he wags a finger at us. “Ahhh, you’re messing with me. I’m just sorry you didn’t win, buddy. I was at the awards ceremony today. Was really rooting for you. Bummer.”

My lips tighten.

Natalie leans toward him, feigning innocence. “Did your film win, Ivan?”

He quickly explains, “I didn’t have one to submit this year. Next year, next year.” Scanning the party he smiles, “I’m hoping to meet some investors. This is where you meet the big people, big money.”

Natalie and I exchange a look.

“Max Cocker?” a female voice comes up behind us.

I turn around and see a svelte woman in an all-white suit.

“Yes?”

“I’m Virginia Peters, I represent Amazon.” She extends her hand and I shake it. “I saw your film. A couple times, actually. Cried my eyes out both times,” she smiles.

“Really? Thank you! I was wondering with all the showings if anyone came back.”

“Well, I did. Would’ve a third time if my screening schedule wasn’t spread so thin,” she laughs, glancing to Natalie and Ivan. “Did you work with Max on his feature?”

“Natalie’s my producer. Wouldn’t have been what it is without her help.”

Ivan shakes his head.

Virginia turns to Natalie. “I really loved the film,” she smiles.

“Thank you! You saw it twice? What brought you back?”

“Well, to be honest, I have a family member who likes to drink, mmm, a little too much let’s say. I related to the story. I think most people could relate on some level, because most of us know someone who can’t stop the thing that’s hurting them. And we’d love to help them! Max, I loved the raw emotion. You didn’t give us a lot of fluff, and you gave all ‘the feels.’ I’d love to offer you a deal. We know that filmmakers really want to be in theaters so you go ahead and find a distributor for that, but what we want is for you to come back to us after. Release your film online exclusively with us for ninety days. Then if we don’t find your audience you don’t have to renew. And we’ll give you an advance, of course, in order to keep your loyalty with us.”

Without hesitation I tell her, “I don’t need to be in theaters first.”

Ivan hisses, “Max!”

But I ignore him like I did his advice before. “I’ll sign up to be exclusive with you. See how it goes.” Turning to Natalie, I ask, “Sound good?”

“I support whatever you want, Max. This is your baby now.”

Can’t help but kiss her for that.

Virginia reacts, “Oh!”

I laugh, “Did I mention my producer and I are living together?”

Laughing she says, “No, but great! I’ll give you my card, which I already had in my hand as I walked up because I never take no for an answer!”

She hands it to Natalie, “Make him call me.”

We watch the powerhouse stroll away.

Ivan mutters, “Max, you really blew that.”

“Ivan, there are many ways to do a thing. You just gotta follow your heart and be your own man.” Touching the small of Natalie’s back I lead her away. “I hope you get a film into Sundance next year buddy. Don’t let perfectionism get in your way.”

He stares after us.

Alone.

And afraid to take risks.