Her Perfect Gift

God, it feels like this film has been my life for so long, even though it’s only been a few weeks, but it has utterly consumed me. More than anything else which has come before. It’s definitely a passion project of mine and I hope that shines through. It’s going to be challenging to say goodbye to it though.

“Wow, that really is something,” I declare. “Craziness. But it will be a relief too, I’m sure.”

“So, anyway we better get out to dinner now before the director changes his mind.”

As she skips off, I fire off a quick text to Darcy to see if she wants to come along to the dinner. Since we are making much more effort to spend more time together, this feels like a good way to start. But it doesn’t take long for me to get a negative reply. Darcy has some meetings involving her makeup line that she has to attend. Much as I am disappointed by that, I am also happy for her. She needs this. I really want Darcy to start having some real success with her business because I just know that will make her happy. I want that for her. I know it will make her life in LA much better which in turn, will make our relationship better. Not that it’s in a bad place, I really do feel like we are getting over our teething problems now and finding our feet.

Well, tonight I guess that it is just me and the guys from the movie. That might be for the best anyway because we are all going to want to be talking about it which might bore the shit out of Darcy. At least we have something positive to go with today, to celebrate. I didn’t know that was coming any time soon…

“Seth, where the hell are you?” Sierra calls down the other end of the phone, trying to be louder than the music in this bar. “I have been trying to call you all afternoon. I even went on to set.”

“Oh, sorry.” I plug my finger into my free ear to try and hear her better. “We wrapped up early today. It seems like we did such a good job that the director wante

d to take us out for dinner and that has turned to drinks…”

“Oh… good.” She sounds happy for me but surprised as well. “That’s good to know. I’m happy to hear it. I actually have some more good news that I need to discuss with you today. That’s why I have been calling so frantically. I have more offers for you, but they need really quick answers.”

“Oh really?” I want to fist pump with excitement. “That’s awesome news. Like what?”

“I will send you over some stuff and you can see it. Let me know what you think.”

“Fab, thank you. That’s great. I will give you answers as soon as I have them, but I have a feeling that it is going to be positive answers. This has been challenging but very rewarding.”

I see everyone smiling at me as if they can tell that this is good news, which only makes it that much more exciting. I don’t know if I want to think about my next project while I am in the middle of this one but at the same time it’s nice to know that I have more options. This isn’t going to be the end of me.

“Great, well I look forward to it, Sierra. Thank you so much for letting me know. I will let you know when I decide.” All of a sudden, I feel bad that I didn’t even think to invite my agent out with us. That isn’t good. I really shouldn’t get so wrapped up in myself. “You know, you should come down…”

“No, I have stuff going on. But thank you, Seth. I just need your answers to this, that’s all.”

I don’t know if she is pissed off or not, but she hangs up the phone quickly and leaves me alone for a while with this good news circling through my brain. It’s good to have options, to know that I haven’t totally fucked up my career by changing the direction of my movies but it’s also going to be very different. I will be saying goodbye to this family and trying to bond with another one. Hopefully, I will do it right.

“All good?” Winter asks me by offering me another drink. “Looked like it was a good call?”

“It was Sierra. She has told me that I have some scripts to look at for after this movie.”

“Uh, should I be offended?” she teases. “Because you are already thinking of moving on to another leading lady? I thought that I had such an impact on your life, but obviously not.”

“Oh, shut it you.” I bang my hip against hers. “You know that no one will ever be the same.”

She gives me a look and I can’t stop myself from beaming back at her. Yep, no one will ever be the same as it is with Winter because we have an actual bond here, a proper friendship.

“Me and you are always going to be in touch, anyway, aren’t we?” I ask her. “So, it won’t change.”

“True.” She nods happily. “So, anyway, to celebrate that, let’s drink some more. Blow off some steam before we get back on set and it’s back to the grind. You know what little down time we have.”

I roll my eyes and nod before glugging back the rest of my bottle. I am going to take full advantage of this…

“How come me and you are the only ones left?” I laugh at Winter. “When did everyone else bail?”

“I don’t know. They are all light weights. We are the only people that can handle their booze. We made it to last call.”

“Oh shit! So, the bar is kicking out?” Oh my God, how late are we? This was only supposed to be dinner, now I’m here late and not with Darcy like I want to be. I guess I got carried away. “Oh my God, we should go.”

“I know right.” Winter giggles girlishly. “We are bad today, aren’t we? So bad.”

I finish the rest of my drink and stagger to my feet, with Winter holding on to me to stop me from falling. We chat easily as we leave the bar, our friendship shining through, which makes me smile. I grin at Winter as the cool night air brushes passed us, trying to find the right words to tell her how much I appreciate her.

“Seth.” But it’s Winter who ends up talking first and the seriousness of her tone stuns me. She hasn’t been like that all night long which makes it super weird. “I like you; you know. You are awesome.”