script. I know how it feels to lose control of your life and get swallowed up by addiction. I know the disappointment that comes with failed attempts to get clean. I know what unrequited infatuation feels like. I know how hard it can be to hold on to hope when the world has given up on you. But I’ve never loved someone the way this character has. And I’ve never lost anyone who meant the world to me. If I screw it up, that ruins the entire movie, and you’ll get your hashtags and viral moment for the wrong reasons.”
The eccentric director chuckled and waved his hand around in the air. “I like your honesty, young man. That’s one of the reasons I was interested in this script. I’m also a fan of Ms. Copeland.” He grinned at the woman sitting next to me. “I’ve always wondered what you could do with a script you could really sink your teeth into. I think you’re both interesting, separately and together. Maybe you’ll figure out how to make fake love look real, or you can make real love look so glorious and painful, no one is going to want to experience that in their lifetime.” He put down the glass and got to his feet. He did a weird little bow thing and excused himself, saying he had to get to a birthday party for his daughter.
He stumbled a little as he walked away, the mimosas obviously having kicked in. I told Maren I was going to make sure he didn’t drive in that condition, but she used our linked hands to tug me back into my seat. She told me that she’d already texted Arrow to arrange a car service for him, and once again, I was impressed by her efficiency and handling of a situation.
She finally wiggled her fingers free and reached for a strawberry on the plate in front of her. She cleared her throat lightly and cast a look my way out of the corner of her eye. “He’s not the only director in town, far from it. Heinrich wasn’t even someone we talked about when you gave me your list of dream directors. You don’t have to change your script if you aren’t comfortable with it, Salinger.” She stretched out a hand like she was going to touch my cheek but stopped right before she made contact. Her eyes widened, and she blushed a little, so I couldn’t resist the urge to snatch her fingers out of the air and bring her hand to my lips so I could kiss the back of it.
“Never in a million years would I think that you’d end up being my best cheerleader.” It didn’t seem possible when I was chasing her around and begging for her forgiveness. “I like it. Having you on my side is much more enjoyable than having you as an enemy.” Though, I had heard a hate fuck was something one couldn’t forget, so I did have a twinge of regret that I hadn’t tried to seduce her when she still loathed me.
She pulled her hand free and looked away. It was cute when she got flustered and shy. I especially liked it because she hadn’t been like that in bed at all. She was demanding, vocal, and super responsive. She didn’t hesitate to tell me what she wanted or ask for more when I got something super right. She really had to be out of her mind if she thought once was going to cut it for me. I felt like I would never be satisfied or get enough of her, and I had a feeling she was the same, only deep in denial. She’d disliked me for so long; it seemed like she might be having a hard time coming to terms with the fact she wanted to sleep with the enemy.
“Heinrich is a mastermind, but I fell in love with your story the way it was. People can be touched by a good romance as much as they are moved by a tragedy. Romance gets a bad rap, in my opinion. Love stories are just as important as any other kind. As long as you tap into the heart of the emotion, you can get a reaction and bring people together. I can see either ending having an impact. But if we put the film in Heinrich’s hands, I worry that we’re moving too far away from the story you want to tell.