Reel (Hollywood Renaissance 1)

“Everything okay?”

She jumps and drops the mirror. It shatters on the floor.

“Hey, easy.” I walk forward carefully, picking my way around the glass, and lift her up onto the bathroom counter. “I don’t want you to cut your feet. Stay right there.”

I walk back out to the bedroom, slip on my sneakers, and go downstairs to get a broom. I probably look ridiculous, running butt-naked wearing nothing but Jordans.

The mirror broke in big chunks, so it’s easy to clean up. I sweep the area thoroughly, but still bring Neevah’s flip-flops to her just in case. She hasn’t moved or spoken throughout the whole process, and I tweak her toe. I’ve never seen this look in her eyes before. Worry or fear. I’m not sure what it is, but even the day she was so shaken shooting that difficult scene, she didn’t look like this.

“Baby, you okay?” I reach up to touch the spot she was looking at in the mirror, but she jerks away.

“Don’t,” she says, her voice low and curt. She jumps off the counter and walks to the shower to test the water temperature with her fingertips before turning back to me.

“I’m sorry.” Her throat moves with a deep swallow. “I didn’t mean to be short. I’m frustrated with myself, not with you, because I stayed out in the sun too long and it can aggravate my skin.”

“It’s okay. God knows I’ve been abrupt a time or two.”

She gives me a wry look.

“Alright, many times I’ve been abrupt.” I laugh, but sober, struck by the concern she carefully smooths away from her expression.

She did tell me about her skin condition. I’m kicking myself for not thinking of it.

“You sure everything’s okay?”

“It really is.” She brightens, but I’m not sure I buy it yet. “Let’s get dressed and bring in the New Year.”

40

Neevah

Downtown Santa Barbara did not come to play this New Year’s Eve.

The massive crowd swarms the waterfront, moving to the DJ’s music, reveling on the oceanside dance floor and drinking enough liquor to float the Titanic.

“Just a friendly reminder,” I yell in Canon’s ear to be heard over the music. “We could be home fucking right now, but noooooo.”

He tips his head back, laughing, his expression as open as I’ve ever seen it. Canon has a whole league of frowns I could spend hours categorizing. The distracted frown, indicating anything you say to him right now will be forgotten five seconds later. The we can do better frown, when he’s looking at something that isn’t quite up to his standards and trying to improve it. The fuck off frown when he cannot comprehend that you would actually bother him while he’s doing something this important. The no your ass did not frown he reserves for actors who come unprepared or are (gasp!) late to his set. Fortunately, I’ve never been on the receiving end of that one.

“You not enjoying yourself?” His breath feathers over my ear. I shiver and press our bodies so close, not even the cooling night air intrudes between us.

“I am because you’re here, but we’re back in LA tomorrow, and then things return to normal.”

“Do you want things to go back to normal?” The question in his eyes goes beyond the one he’s asking, but he’s my frosted glass, so I can only guess what that question could be.

“Don’t they have to? I mean, since you don’t want to go public.” I hold up my hand to stem the flow of words I know is coming. “And I get all your reasons, but if there’s a storm when and if this comes out, I’m ready to weather it.”

“I think that may be the new ride or die.” He chuckles, guiding us off the dance floor and toward a row of reserved tables at the water’s edge. Canon actually dances and is pretty good. Surprised the hell outta me. Even though I teased him about this crowd, it’s nice being out having fun and enjoying New Year’s Eve like a typical couple. Canon wears a baseball cap just in case, but says he’s not the brand of famous people usually immediately recognize unless they’re in the business or want to be. Since half the servers in New York and LA are aspiring actors, the chances are better. The cap tonight is an extra precaution.

“Soon you’ll be the one recognized when we go out,” he says, sitting at the table and pulling me onto his knee.

The announcement in The Hollywood Reporter that I landed the role didn’t raise my profile much. My agent got a few nibbles, but beyond some curiosity, the industry is largely waiting to see how I do. Canon has been relatively tight-lipped about the movie, so while there is some anticipation, people don’t really know what Dessi Blue is or what to expect. We’ve had a few entertainment shows come on set to get behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews, but usually under the condition that the spots air closer to release.