Missed

by Tess Thompson

  Sasha, sitting on her other side, leaned close. “Bravo, kid. Bravo. You better buckle your seat belt. What’s to come is going to move faster than a freight train.”

  They couldn’t talk further because the theater crowd had broken into applause. Soon, they were ushered out of the building and into the waiting car.

  The minute they were inside, the driver popped the champagne and handed it to Rafael through the window. Lisa could barely move. The adrenaline of the press experience and then two hours of watching herself on screen had left her limp. Sasha handed Rafael a couple of glasses, and he poured champagne for the ladies and then into a third glass for himself. He set the bottle in the bucket of ice the driver had prepared.

  Once the driver was in his seat, they took off, meandering down the crowded street toward the party located somewhere in Beverly Hills.

  Sasha lifted her glass. “You’re going to be the toast of this town, but for now, allow me to be the first. To you, Lisa Perry. May you never turn into a Raven but always remain the kind and compassionate woman you are.”

  They clinked glasses, and all took a drink.

  “I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t that,” Rafael said. “I may sleep with one eye open tonight.”

  Lisa laughed. “It’s called acting.”

  “They never put the pretty girl in a role like that. It was kind of All About Eve, right?” Rafael asked.

  “Yes, except the way it was written, the audience isn’t sure what’s going on until that last shot,” Lisa said.

  “I almost gasped out loud when the camera showed the murder weapon in her hand.” Rafael clutched his chest. “No, not Raven. Not caring, supportive Raven.”

  “You didn’t suspect?” Lisa asked.

  “I did, sure,” Rafael said. “But then she’d do something that made me think it was one of the others. I mean, you would do something.”

  “Me playing Raven,” Lisa said.

  “Again, one eye open.” He winked at her.

  Lisa had never seen Rafael this animated. He’s proud of me. He was into what she was doing instead of totally focused on himself. I’m in love with this man.

  How had that thought slipped in there?

  She took another sip of champagne. Think about that later.

  “What did you use as inspiration for her?” he asked.

  “Over the years, I’ve met some actresses that ambitious,” Lisa said. “I modeled her after them.”

  “I’m glad you were brave enough to take it, especially given Glynnis’s reputation,” Sasha said.

  “She lived up to it, that’s for sure,” Lisa said.

  “Man, she was good, though,” Rafael said.

  “Too bad she’s a raging bitch,” Sasha said.

  “No wonder she hates you,” Rafael said. “The subtlety of your performance—just everything. And it may just be me, but I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

  “It wasn’t just you,” Sasha said. “This girl’s a scene-stealer.”

  Was that bad? She didn’t want to be an ungenerous actor. Her heart sank. Was she a scene-stealing diva? “I don’t mean to take away from others. That’s the last thing I want, especially if it doesn’t serve the story.”

  “Darling, that’s not at all what we mean,” Sasha said.

  Rafael touched her knee. “Hey now, no apologizing, remember? Don’t make yourself small so others can feel big. You filled up that screen. There’s no reason for you to ever feel guilty because all your hard work and innate talent are being recognized.”

  She anchored herself in his brown eyes. He was right. No more apologizing for her existence. She’d made a pact with herself. Old behaviors didn’t melt overnight. This would be a lifetime effort.

  “I want you to relax tonight and have fun,” Sasha said. “Rafael, pour us another glass.”

  He did so, and they talked more about the movie, going over every plot point and parts they loved. Lisa listened mostly, enjoying Rafael’s enthusiasm and Sasha’s excitement about the future.

  Before she knew it, they were pulling into the hotel.

  Her chest tightened as they waited for the driver to open the door. “Will there be a lot of people?” she asked Sasha.

  “Yes, and they’re all going to want to talk to you.” Sasha applied a layer of lipstick without looking into a mirror. “If you get overwhelmed, come find me and we’ll take a little breather.”

  She looked over to see Rafael watching her.

  “I’ll be by your side the whole time,” he said. “If you need me.”

  The driver opened the door, and Rafael slid out before her. He reached back in to take her hand and help her out of the car.

  Doormen stood at the entryway. Cameras flashed from somewhere, blinding her. She almost stumbled, but Rafael held her steady. Then they were inside the hotel. A young woman greeted them and ushered them out of the main lobby to the restaurant, which had been closed to the public.

  The party throbbed with laughter and music. People were crammed into every inch of the dimly lit restaurant. Sasha disappeared into the crowd, leaving her alone with Rafael. They lurked in a corner. She looked around the room. Servers carried trays of appetizers and champagne. She blinked, remembering all the events she and the girls had worked to make extra money. Now she was here as a guest, not a worker. “It’s surreal,” she said under her breath.

  “It is,” he said.

  Groups sat at tables drinking and eating. The bar was lit in blue lights. She saw some of the crew in one of the corners doing shots. For a split second, she wished she had the freedom to merely have fun. Those guys didn’t have to worry about how they posed for photos.

  “I have to look good and say the right things and make sure no bad pictures get taken.”

  “Stardust, it’s impossible to get a bad picture of you.”

  “Do I need to remind you about my seventh-grade photo?”

  He lifted her chin. “Again, it’s impossible to take a bad photo of you. Then and now. Your beautiful soul shines through, no matter what.”

  “When we go back to Cliffside Bay, I want to have a party. At the brewery.”

  “Done,” he said.

  Sasha approached and grabbed Lisa’s hand. “Don’t look now, but Rob Cunningham wants to talk with you about a role in his new movie. He’s sitting over there. I told him I’d bring you over.”

  “Rob Cunningham? Me?”

  “Yes. You,” Sasha said.

  Lisa looked at Rafael, anxious. Would she freeze up and not be able to say a word?

  “You’ve got this,” Rafael said. “Pretend that it’s a role. You’re playing a famous actress who holds all the cards. You have the power.”

  She smiled. “Yes, I have the power.”

  He gestured toward the bar. “What can I get you ladies?”

  “Two white wines.” Sasha pointed to her mouth. “Teeth, darling.”

  “I’ll meet you over there.” Rafael gave her a soft nudge in that direction.

  Lisa’s legs went numb as they crossed the room. Rob Cunningham was seated at a large table with a half dozen people she didn’t know. Lisa recognized his wife from award shows. Blonde and well-preserved, she sipped a martini and listened to the conversation with a bored expression.

  The men at the table rose to their feet when they arrived. Sasha introduced her to the table. She resisted the strange sensation of wanting to curtsy. Keep it together.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Cunningham,” Lisa said. Her voice shook. Great.

  “Call me, Rob. Please sit.” Other than his wife, the other people around the table got up and left. Weird. “This is my wife, Toni.”

  “Hi, Lisa. You were wonderful in the film.”

  She thanked her as she took one of the vacated seats, which was still warm. Sasha sat in one of the others.

  “I like to get straight to the point,” Rob said. “Gennie Banks called me this morning all lit up about your performance in Indigo Road. She told me I nee
ded to see you for myself, so I came to the premiere. She’s right. You’re quite the talent.”

  Oh my God. Genevieve Banks had made a phone call about her?

  “Gennie’s playing the lead in my new film. She wants you in it.”

  “She does?” Lisa asked.

  “Yes. So do I,” Rob said.

  “Oh.”

  “It’s second billing, but the role’s juicy. Gennie found the script and is one of the producers. All the main roles are for women. She doesn’t choose to work much these days, but this script’s special.”

  Rafael arrived with their drinks. She introduced him, remembering to say he was her boyfriend. When he sat next to her, she placed her hand on his thigh.

  “The chance to work with you and Genevieve Banks would be a dream come true,” Lisa said.

  “How kind,” Rob said. “I need someone who can sing and dance. From what I hear, you can do both.”

  “She’s a triple threat,” Sasha said. “No question.”

  “I’ve mostly been in the chorus,” Lisa said. “I didn’t think I’d ever be in a film.”

  “The medium suits you,” Rob said. “You’re subtle. Some theater actors are too big.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Lisa said.

  “Sir? Now you’ll make me feel old,” Rob said.

  “She’s from Iowa,” Sasha said, as if apologizing for her good manners.

  “A Midwesterner,” Toni said. “Always the best people.”

  “Agreed,” Sasha said in a tone of collusion. Suddenly being from Iowa was a good thing.

  “Whatever it is, there’s a transparency about you that translates on film,” Rob said. “Don’t let this town harden you.”

  “It will,” Toni said. “Unless you surround yourself with people you trust. Be wary of everyone from this moment on. Everyone will want something from you.” Toni’s eyes flickered to Rafael. “And keep the ones who knew you before close. They’ll keep you grounded. That’s what I do for Rob. We were high school sweethearts back in Georgia. Without me, he’d be a total jerk.”

  Rob’s eyes twinkled. “All lies.” He took a card from inside his jacket and handed it to Sasha. “Call my guy next week to get everything started.” He turned to Lisa. “I’ll have the script delivered to you. Where are you staying?”

  Sasha wrote down the details on the back of one of her cards and slid it across the table.

  “You read the script and tell me if you’re interested,” Rob said. “And we can go from there.”

  “Okay, sure,” Lisa said. “Thank you for the opportunity.”

  “Now, go enjoy,” Rob said. “This is your night.”

  It was one in the morning when they returned to the hotel. Two bouquets of flowers were on the table. She ran to see who had sent them. The first was from Maggie and Jackson.

  Congratulations on your dreams coming true. No one is worthier than you. Love, M and J.

  The second bouquet was from Pepper.

  I know you rocked it, doll. Love you. Pepper

  Rafael was in the process of taking several small white bags out of his jacket pockets.

  “What are those?” she asked.

  “I brought home some snacks. One of the caterers wrapped them up for me.” He reached into a bag and pulled out one of the miniature quiches they’d served earlier.

  “You talked one of them into packaging up food for you?” she asked, laughing.

  “Once I told her that my girlfriend, currently the star of the room, was starving me to death, she felt very sympathetic.”

  “You did not tell her that,” she said.

  “I did. Then I fixed my sad, starved eyes on her, which she couldn’t resist.” He pulled out a half dozen of the bite-size flourless chocolate cakes they’d passed around at the end of the night.

  “You stole cakes, too?”

  “Not stealing,” he said with his mouth half full. “Saving from the trash dumpster.” He plopped down with his long legs spread out over the length of the couch. “She practically begged me to take them.”

  “That poor girl’s probably in love with you, all for the sake of a few appetizers.” She giggled and set the cards from the flowers aside, then kicked off her heels. “I want to spend time celebrating with you. All those people kept coming up to me. I didn’t even know where you were half the night.”

  He lifted his head, like the groundhog coming out of his hole. “I was securing the snacks.”

  She clapped her hands. “You know what we’re going to do? We’re going to have drinks and the contraband appetizers and have our own little party.” She went to the refrigerator and found a bottle of red wine. “We’re drinking red with no regard to our teeth.”

  “You’re wild, Stardust. A devil in an angel’s body.” He’d disappeared into the couch again.

  “Angels don’t have bodies, do they? Aren’t they spirits?”

  Rafael’s hand appeared, holding a quiche between his thumb and finger. “Do you see this? This right here is heaven in a tiny pie.”

  “It’s a quiche.” She found a corkscrew in the drawer and used it to rip the foil off the wine bottle as she crossed around the couch.

  He had his neck resting on the arm of the couch and his feet crossed at the ankles. He’d taken off his shoes at one point. Even tipsy, he’d lined them up neatly under the coffee table. “No, it’s a pie. They have a crust and everything. The girl at the party knew what I meant when I asked her to wrap up the tiny pies.”

  She tweaked his big toe. The man even filled out his socks well. “She was probably drooling over you, which clearly skewed her judgment. She didn’t want to hurt your masculine pride, therefore she pretended they were called pies.”

  He ate another one, making appreciative grunts. “You’re missing out. I’m telling you.”

  “For heaven’s sake. They can’t be that good.” She grabbed one from the stack and popped the whole thing in her mouth. Butter and cheese and bacon all mixed together teased her taste buds. “Those are amazing.” Her stomach growled. Had she eaten anything at the party? The entire night had been a blur.

  “Did I eat anything tonight?” She twisted the corkscrew and pulled out the cork, nearly falling backward from the force.

  “No. Don’t you remember me bringing you a plate when you were at the table with the punk in the green suit?”

  She twisted her mouth into an apologetic grimace as she poured them both a glass. “No, I’m sorry.” The entire night had been a revolving door of people congratulating her and asking to take pictures with her.

  He covered his heart with his hand and gave her a doleful look. “This is why I had to drown my sorrows in tiny pies.”

  She lifted his feet and sat, taking them in her lap. “How do you have such perfect feet?” She reached under his pant leg to pull his sock down to his ankle so she could play with his leg hairs.

  “They’re not perfect. Maybe a little stinky.” He watched her with a soft expression on his ludicrously gorgeous face, his chin propped against his chest. “You smell like heaven all the time. Did you know that?”

  “I’m glad you think so.” She took a generous drink of wine and stroked the arch of one of his feet.

  He jerked his feet from her lap and sat up straighter. “No touching the bottoms of the feet.”

  “You’re ticklish?”

  “I am not ticklish. I have sensitive feet, if you must know,” he said.

  “This is good information.” She grabbed another quiche and let it melt in her mouth.

  He picked up his glass of wine and settled into his corner of the couch. “You’re eating. This is weird.”

  She ate another, suddenly starving. “How are these this good?”

  “I told you,” he said.

  “It’s the bacon. Stupid bacon.”

  He watched her with his chin resting in his hand. “Damn.”

  “What? Do I have something on my chin?” She felt for crumbs.

  “You’re even beautiful when yo
u’re chewing. And I hate watching other people eat. The sound of chewing makes my skin crawl. Not you, though. Have another one.”

  “You’ve had way too much to drink. I’m not sexy when I’m eating.”

  “I said beautiful. But you are sexy. Mind-blowingly sexy.”

  She flushed with heat. “You, sir, are incorrect. My jaw makes a little clicking sound when I chew.”

  “No way. I have excellent hearing, and I can’t hear it.”

  She grabbed one of the chocolate cakes and scooted from one end of the couch to the other until they were inches apart. “Listen.” The cake melted in her mouth, but she chewed anyway. “Do you hear it?”

  He lifted his head and tapped her cheek. “A very faint clicking, yes. But still sexy as hell.” He raised his glass. “To you, Stardust.”

  “To you.”

  They clinked glasses and drank.

  A shadow crossed his face. He smiled, thinly. “A couple of those guys looked like they wanted to eat you for dinner. That skinny dude in the green suit kept putting his hand on the small of your back.”

  “You have nothing to be jealous about. They’re all a bunch of phonies.”

  “I’m a jealous man. What can I say?” The lighthearted lilt to his voice stole the tension from his words. Yet a steely glimmer in his eyes hinted at a deeper emotion. He was like the ocean on a calm day. Under the glassy surface, an entire world existed. Little by little, he was pulling her into the deep waters, allowing her to see the complex man under his precise outer appearance.

  “Those jerks with their five-thousand-dollar suits and sports cars parked outside are the men you’re going to be around now. I wish it didn’t, but it bugs the hell out of me. So I had a few drinks. I figured they’d take the edge off. They didn’t. All they did was make me want to punch that pretty boy wearing the green suit right in the face.”

  Her stomach hollowed. She’d made him feel invisible because of her vapid flitting about the room. “I’m sorry I neglected you.”

  He wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “Hey now, don’t say you’re sorry. My jealousy has nothing to do with you. You didn’t neglect me. You were doing your job. No more apologizing, remember?”