“That looked so neat,” Kerri said waiting by the dismount area.
“It totally was. Come on, Kerri. I can’t be the one having all the fun. You’ve got to try it.”
Kerri took a deep breath. Her thoughts wavered from ‘let’s go for it’ to ‘absolutely no way’. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“That’s a girl. Amber will totally help you. Just do what she says and remember, you have two sets of safety lines. You’re safe. It’ll be such a rush.”
A nervous giggle erupted from Kerri’s throat. She walked to the ladder.
“Come on up, Kerri,” Amber called.
Kerri slowly ascended the ladder. “Don’t look down. Don’t look down. You can do this. Don’t look down,” she chanted. Before she knew it she was at the platform. “Whew, that wasn’t so bad.”
“Come this way.” Amber helped her onto the platform.
“Oh my God. I don’t think so.” Kerri looked down at the net below; her hands gripped tightly back in the rungs. “No way,” her voice got louder.
“Take a deep breath.”
“You take a deep breath. There is no way I am doing this.” She hugged the ladder, staying as far from the edge of the platform as possible.
Aspen could see something was wrong, even from her lowered vantage point.
“Get me down. Get me down, now!”
Amber looked at Max and shook her head back and forth. “Are you sure you don’t want to take the easy way down?” She smiled as sweetly as she could.
Kerri pointed to the net below. “That is not the easy way down.” She started back down the ladder. When she reached the bottom she appeared more angry than scared.
“Is there something I can do?” Aspen tried to console her.
“Let’s just get our things and go. I want to go home!”
~~@
“I made such a fool of myself, Wren.” Kerri hid her eyes in her hands.
“What happened?”
“I totally freaked out. The net looked so little. I just…I just couldn’t do it.”
“It’s okay, Kerri.”
“No it’s not. It’s totally not. I freaked out and wanted to come home. Aspen must think I’m a total dork. I barely talked to her on the way home. I was just too mad, and then embarrassed, and then mad again. I was totally out of control.”
“I doubt Aspen is the type of person to hold a grudge. Talk to her. I’m sure she’ll understand.”
“That was the worst date…ever, and it’s all my fault. I was totally scared. I couldn’t even think straight.”
“Well duh, Kerri. You? Think straight?”
Kerri smirked. “True.”
“Look, don’t be so hard on yourself. Really, if you think about it, it’s my fault. I am the one that planned the date.”
“No, Wren. Even if I was too afraid to do it, I could have totally reacted differently. I was such an idiot. I mean…she was having so much fun. She was so good at it. She looked so good. Even the instructors were impressed with her.”
“There’s nothing you can do about changing it now. It happened. Now all you can do is go talk to her and let her know how you felt and how you’re feeling now.”
“I so can’t. I don’t know what to say.”
“Tell her what you’re telling me.”
“Yeah, right. Aspen is sure to cringe the next time she sees me.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Wren, it was that bad. Seriously.”
“I think you’re exaggerating. Maybe you should consider auditioning for a soap opera.” That comment did leave a faint smirk on Kerri’s face.
“I am beginning to think that you have more in common with Aspen than I do. I can’t seem to play it cool around her.”
“It’ll be fine. Just don’t beat yourself up over it.”
“Will you talk to her for me? Let me know what she’s thinking?”
“Kerri, I really think this is something you should handle.”
“Pretty please? For your BFF?” Kerri blinked her eyes and cupped her hands together in front of her.
“God, Kerri.” She sighed. “I’ll see what I can do, but at some point you really need to initiate and handle the communication between you two. On your own.”
“I totally will. Next time.”
~~@
Wren wasn’t sure how she should approach the ‘disaster date’ subject with Aspen. Aspen certainly wasn’t bringing it up. She wanted to pop herself in the jaw for allowing Kerri to talk her into trying to smooth things over on her behalf. She couldn’t quite figure out why she even let herself get even more involved than she already had.
“Well, here goes nothing,” she said under her breath as she approached Aspen. She stood over Aspen, who seemed to be performing maintenance checks on her dirt bike. “Hey, Stunt Girl. Watcha doin’?”
“Checking these nipples.”
“Right.” Wren didn’t know if she heard her right.
“You’ve got to spend a lot of time on your tire parts when you ride. You’re no good without ‘em.”
One of Wren’s eyebrows shot up. “Show me what you’re doing.”
“Want me to teach you how to tighten loose spokes?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, come on down here.” Aspen patted the ground next to her and Wren dropped into place.
Wren listened while Aspen explained the process. She almost forgot what she came over to talk to her about before Aspen continued.
“Here, you give it a try.” She handed Wren the spoke tool.
“Am I tightening it too much?”
Aspen pinged the spoke with her fingernail. “Nope. That’s perfect.”
“So, how was your date the other night?” Her gaze remained fixated on the wheels.
“It was fine. I feel bad that Kerri didn’t enjoy herself. Did she tell you what happened?”
Wren nodded. “I guess the heights got to her.”
“Yeah.” Aspen frowned.
“Are you upset?”
“Yes and no.”
“You were hoping for a different result, I’m sure.”
Aspen nodded.
“May I ask how you thought or hoped the date might end?” A lump caught in her throat.
Aspen looked at Wren with questioning eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I know I’m being a bit forward here. All right, I am being a lot forward. What I am asking is—up until the ‘Kerri freaking out’ moment—did you see yourself being romantically involved with her?”
“In all honesty?”
Wren’s heart started to get a sinking feeling.
“No.”
“No?”
“Wren, Kerri is a real cool person and all. She’s funny. Entertaining. Smart. I just don’t think I feel for her in that way.”
“Because she’s female?”
“Not necessarily.” She looked up at Wren and a mixed look of fear and confusion displayed across her face. “It’s just…we don’t seem to have much in common. I can’t talk to her like I can talk to you. It’s important that I feel comfortable opening up. You know? I’ve got to feel that connection.” She fidgeted with a buckle on her boot.
“I know. And it’s really okay to feel that way, Aspen. No one is trying to pressure you. I care about you and don’t want to make you feel like you have to do something you don’t want to, or be someone you’re not.”
When Aspen’s stare didn’t turn into words, Wren suddenly realized she didn’t really want to have this discussion after all. “Oh, about tomorrow?”
“Yeah?”
“In the next scene I will be realizing just how much I want JT.” Wren rolled her eyes. “I am so not looking forward to kissing him. He always takes advantage by slipping in some tongue, even though I have requested him not to. It’s happened multiple times already.”
Aspen frowned. “You have to kiss him?”
“Oh, trust me. It’s pure acting. That boy does not heighten anything in me but my temper
.” She squeezed Aspen’s shoulder in the palm of her hand. Its petite impression surprised her. Her riding gear always made her appear so much bigger. “Aspen? Are you okay?”
Aspen nodded. “Sure. Yeah, sure.” She tried not to appear unsettled.
“You don’t have the hot’s for JT, do you?”
Aspen shook her head. “JT? What? No way. Totally not my type.”
“What is your type?”
Aspen almost spoke, but then looked away.
“Do you have a type?”
“Certainly not a womanizer like JT.” She laughed and then realized that her words may have crossed the line. “I’m sorry, Wren. I shouldn’t have just said that. I know you and JT are close.”
“What gave you that impression?”
“Well, you guys spend a lot of time together. Off set, even. When you go out…you hold hands. Like at the coffee shop when I first got into town.”
That day felt like years ago to Wren. “So, you think we have some sort of on and off relationship?”
Aspen shrugged. “I guess so, but it’s confusing because you don’t seem to mind when JT hits on other girls.” Aspen hoped her revelation didn’t sound judgmental.
“Well, except for the fact that I feel bad for the girls he charms so easily, it really doesn’t bother me.”
“It doesn’t?”
“Aspen, no. He’s not my boyfriend. Zoltan has requested that we hang out with each other, appearing like we’re a couple. It keeps the tabloids full of gossip, which in turn helps with publicity. Zoltan is a penny pincher. He’ll do almost anything for free publicity. Really, it’s an understatement when I say JT is totally not my type.”
“So, you guys are acting outside of acting? You guys aren’t…an item?”
“Nope. Not an item whatsoever. I am totally single.”
“Me too.” Aspen blushed, not sure why she disclosed that last piece of information.
“I figured as much when you agreed to go on a date with Kerri.
“Oh, yeah.” Aspen giggled.
“Aspen?”
“Yes?”
“Can you do me a favor?”
Weary of where the conversation was headed, Aspen answered sweetly, “Sure, whatcha need?”
“Well, I was actually hoping you would teach me some of those skills you have. I really want to ride. I’m talking off set as well as on set.”
“You want to motocross?”
“Not necessarily soar through the air like a bird…which I do find totally cool, by the way. What I am looking for are techniques. You know, like the one that kicks up a fan of dirt when you stop. During takes I think it would be great to skid into place and take off the helmet all in the same frame. It’ll look more realistic during shooting…less camera angles. Besides, why should you have all the fun?”
“I can do that. Will Gideon be upset? He is extremely protective of you.”
“I think he will be very pleased. Just think, he won’t have to cut away from our scenes so often. Besides….” She reached for Aspen’s hand. “I trust you. You’ll be a great teacher.”
“Are you sure about this?”
Wren nodded. “It would be an honor to learn from the best.” She squeezed Aspen’s hand.
“Okay, then. I’ll teach you.”
“Thank you.” Wren lunged forward, wrapping her arms tight around Aspen. For a brief moment, they both held very still as Aspen thought she could feel Wren’s lips press against her neck.
Wren pulled away first. “Can we get started tomorrow?” Her smile broke the tension.
“Tomorrow it is.”
“I can’t wait.” Wren got up, wiped the dirt from her pants, and turned to walk away. “By the way,” she spun around quickly, catching Aspen staring at her. She held back a laugh when Aspen’s eyes darted up to meet hers. “I’ll be over around seven o’clock tonight to give you your first cooking lesson. Be hungry.” She returned to her actors chair and began talking with the boom operator on the other side of the set.
Aspen took a deep breath and dropped the tool she had been holding. She had been clenching it so hard it left indentions in her hand. She reached for the part of her neck where she thought she felt Wren’s lips resting moments earlier. She wanted the overfriendly gesture to mean nothing, but a simple mistake, and then she wanted it to mean a lot more than just something.
~~@
“Well, what did she say? Does she hate me?” Kerri plopped her make-up bag down on the floor and sat with Wren in the trailer.
“Kerri, of course not.” Wren set her script on the nearby counter. “She feels bad too.”
“What does she have to feel bad about? I was the idiot.”
“Aspen is sweet. You said so yourself. She feels bad that you didn’t have fun.”
“Do you think I should give it another try? Ask her out on another date?”
Wren shrugged her shoulders.
“What does that mean?”
“Don’t get upset with me, Kerri. You asked me a question and I’m trying to be honest here.”
“Okay, then. Be honest.” Kerri cocked her head to the side and folded her arms.
“I think you should wait.”
“Why?”
“Aspen is really focused on this production. It’s not for me to tell, but just trust that she needs to concentrate on her career. That’s her primary concern right now and will probably continue to be way after we finish here.”
“So, you guys are just all buddy-buddy now?” Kerri scowled.
“No, you keep having me go talk to her, so I get the dirt. If you actually took the time to approach her, I am sure she would tell you herself,” Wren snapped.
“All right. I deserved that.”
“Well, don’t get mad at me because I know more about her than you do. It was you who decided to not take me up on my advice in the first place. You know, the one where I told you to handle things on your own? I don’t know how you expect to get to know someone if you don’t ever talk to them face-to-face.”
Kerri sat in silence. She tapped her fingertips on the table. “I’ve got it!”
“What?”
“I am going to make her jealous.” Kerri’s eyes grew big.
“Are you serious? Why on earth would you do that?”
“Well, I want her to know that I’m desirable. And sometimes people are more receptive to their attraction to someone when they think others want them. I’m going to make her crave me.”
“That’s just silly, Kerri. I really don’t think that type of behavior will work on someone like Aspen. She’ll just be happy for you…and that, my dear, will piss you off.”
Kerri placed her index finger against her lips in thought. “Aspen is the protective type,” she nodded. “Maybe I get her to feel happy for me…that I have met someone, but then have that person treat me like crap. Her protective side will take over, and poof, she’ll come to my rescue.”
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea. Why don’t you just be honest with her?”
“Well, duh, because I’m a happy, go-lucky person. That’s boring. If I appear to be in emotional turmoil, she’s bound to console me. Then I’ll make my move.”
Wren tried to keep the irritation out of her voice. “Do you really think playing games with her will be in your best interest, or hers?”
“I’m not playing games. I’m just figuring out a way to get her attention. It will work. I know it.”
Wren dropped her forehead in her hand. This scheme was sure to backfire. “Just do me a favor, Kerri.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t ask for my help anymore.”
“Fine.” Kerri shot up and grabbed her overstuffed make-up bag. She left in a huff, stumbling as her heel caught on the step leading from the trailer. She bent down and snatched her high-heeled boots from off her feet and disappeared around a corner.
“Good luck with that attitude,” Wren spoke in her direction. She realized she had become more involved in
the matter than she wished she ever had.
~~@
“Okay, Chef Wren. What will you be teaching me to cook today?” Aspen gripped the handle of a whisk, speaking into it as though it were a microphone.
“Well, that depends, Sous-Chef.” As the queen of improv, Wren had no problem jumping into character. “What products do you have to build a fine cuisine this brilliant evening? We will simply start from there.”
“Ah, well—” Aspen thought for a moment. “You know, that’s a really good question.”
“Stand back.” Wren dramatically pushed Aspen to the side, barely touching her. “I shall investigate by raiding the pantry.” Wren started opening and closing cabinet doors until she reached the refrigerator. As she opened its door, she rested her index finger on her chin and stuck her butt out. “Mm-hm. Okay. Nah. Maybe. I’ve got it!” She yelled out. “We will be fixing a delectable grilled cheddar cheese sandwich with a hint of pickle.” She kissed the tips of her fingers. “It will be magnificent.”
Aspen laughed.
Wren presented the jar of pickles and then rested it on the countertop. She pulled out the sliced cheese and three pats of wrapped butter. “I know there’s got to be sandwich bread around here somewhere.” She rubbed her chin.
“Allow me the honor.” Aspen sprang to the microwave and pulled out an entire loaf of bread. “Iron Kids Delight?”
“That’ll do.” Wren snatched it from her hand. “Before we begin, what would a Sous-Chef be without her culinary attire?” She pulled out a heap of white fabric from her oversized purse and sized it up against Aspen. “Looks like it’ll fit just fine.” She tucked the hat under her arm and proceeded to assist Aspen with fitting the white jacket over her shoulders. She tugged the loops around the white fabric buttons, feeling a bit embarrassed as she passed Aspen’s taut belly and fleshy chest.
“A Chef’s hat and jacket? Where did you get these?”
“Sh, borrowed ‘em from wardrobe. Try not to make a mess,” she warned. “Gotta return ‘em tomorrow.” She winked.
Aspen patted the material by her stomach and laughed.
Wren pulled the hat out from under her arm and then fluffed it on Aspen’s head. “Perfect. You’re ready.” She gave her a quick pop on the butt and held out her hand. “Skillet?”
“In the oven.” Aspen collected the skillet and set it on the closest burner. She looked at it as though it were a foreign object.
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