I scrunch up my face. “And why is that?”
“Do I have to say it?” He gestures toward the screen, bobbing his head.
My body clenches. “I think you do.”
“She’s … overweight, Archer. There aren’t big girls in leading roles on prime time television. Well, unless part of their storyline is to be the fat girl.”
“She’s not fat, bro. She’s curvy. I think she looks amazing.”
“Wren, you played a Viking king in your last film. She’s not the type of actress that plays opposite guys like you.”
My fists ball at my sides, body tight and tense. When I twist my neck, a crack pierces the silence between us. Show Business can be cutthroat. It’s filled with political bullshit and injustices, alike. It looks like hiring Billie is going to be a fight, but like any battle I’ve ever stepped up against, I donotintend to lose.
“But, it’s cool for someone like Kevin James to be married to a hot, skinny woman?He’snot exactly leading man material.” I use his air quotes against him—as I have nothing against Kevin James. He’s a great guy. Had a beer with him at an after party once. “We see that on television all the time. But heaven forbid we put a woman who isn’t a size two in a leading role. She’s gorgeous, and she’s charismatic, and she’s who I want to play opposite me in this series.”
I stare my partner down, hoping my mini-rant convinces him. When you’re co-executive producing something, both parties have to be pleased, even if I am the one who’ll be on screen, and Wren behind the scenes.
After a long pause, Wren finally speaks. “Okay, Arch. I see what you’re getting at.”
“Good!” I throw my hands up in the air.
“Diversity is in. I think it’s a great idea to cast a non-traditional body type.” I open my mouth to object, but he keeps going as he rolls his chair back in front of his laptop. “It might give us brownie points with the network, too. Award committees will absolutely eat it up.” He grabs his coffee cup and raises it. “You’re a genius, man. On-screen and off. If you want Billie…”
“Wyatt.”
“Billie Wyatt as your co-star, I’m not going to stop you.”
I’m about to object to his absurd thinking, but maybe it isn’t worth it to object. Those superficial reasons are the furthest thing from my mind. I want Billie cast as my love interest in the series, because I’m completely and totally captivated by her. It’s a strange sensation, but something tells me that she’s perfect for this project, and maybe for me.
“Hit play.” I tilt my head in Wren’s direction. He does what I ask, and we both watch Billie light up the screen. A smile spreads across my face when I realize that not only is she the most radiant woman I’ve ever seen in my life, but she’s a damn good actress, too.
Thank God.
2
Billie
My cellphone shakes in my hand. “Are you kidding me? I’m going to star opposite Archer Bain?TheArcher Bain! How did this happen?”
My agent’s voice pings in my ear. “You auditioned and he loved your read. It’s as simple as that, Billie my dear.”
My bare feet dig into the shag carpet surrounding my bed. I wince when I spot my chipped toenails, which could use some serious love. Now that I’m going to be on television—a fact I still cannot quite believe—I’m treating myself to a pedicure this afternoon. After eight long years of shuffling my butt to auditions all around the city, and not booking much more than a few non-union commercials here and there, I freaking deserve it!
“Laura, I thought I read the sides for the neighbor. How did I end up landing the lead?”
“The details aren’t important, I guess. They didn’t tell me. All they said was that you were their number one pick.”
My mouth hangs open as I peer out of my bedroom window. Yellow cabs litter both lanes of traffic on Broadway and 148th where I live. The call came right after I finished my yoga class. Being an aspiring actress in New York City crushes your soul in many ways. Yoga’s one of the only activities where I can block out my own ambitions and concentrate on the present moment.
Right now, however, my brain spins into future mode. What will I wear to the Emmys? What will I wear to my first day on set? What will Archer Bain look like in person? Will he be as hot as he is in the movies? A shiver of excitement washes over me. He’s the Hollywood hunk who’s known for dating his co-stars. Holy moly, I can’t even imagine.
“Earth to Bille!” My agent’s voice knocks me back to the present.
“Sorry, I zoned out.”
“You need to get your butt down to midtown for a costume fitting. The project is moving very fast, and they want to shoot your first scene tomorrow.”
I almost audibly gulp. “Tomorrow? That’s so soon.”