can’t help but feeling like this whole show idea has run into one brick wall after another.
Faye lights up like a Christmas tree. “While I was brainstorming in LA, someone at the network gave me a lead on a young actress looking to break into reality television. She’d make a perfect cohost for you, Desmond.”
The word perfect triggers me to glance over at Maggie. I half-expect her to jump in and demand the role for herself. No such luck. She keeps her head down as she attacks the kitchen island with a scrub brush.
“What are you suggesting?”
Faye straightens her shoulders, her businesswoman negotiation posture. “I’m suggesting that I bring her in today, along with a crew, and we start to shoot some tests for the pilot. Get you two comfortable with each other and get you used to the cameras. If all goes well, then we can aim to shoot the pilot tomorrow, starting with a trip to the market.”
“You want to shoot the pilot tomorrow?”
“I warned you, I like to move fast.”
“Haven’t we already been moving fast? Last week you were determined to cast Maggie, and now you’re just going to bring in some random actress?”
She leans over and places a hand on my thigh, her cleavage spilling out of her low-cut black blouse. My eyes betray me, but I tear them away quickly. What was once a fun flirtation with Faye now just feels wrong.
“You’ll need to trust me, Desmond. I’ve only got your best interests at heart. You still want this, don’t you?”
She’s asking me the same question Maggie just asked, and I can’t help but truly think on it now. Sure, the show could do wonders for my kitchen, but do I still want it if we aren’t going about it in a way that I’m comfortable with?
I swallow before standing up. My eyes flick to Maggie’s for a second, and I almost wish they hadn’t. She should be the one standing next to me during production, but the last thing I want to do is put any kind of pressure on her, especially after all the progress we’ve made. Plus, she’s made it clear that she’s uncomfortable in front of the camera. Just because she’s opened up to me behind closed doors, doesn’t mean she’s ready to do the same for the public.
Ugh. I feel like there’s a rock in my gut, and not even I am strong enough to move it.
“Of course I want this,” I finally say to Faye, suddenly feeling completely helpless. “Bring in the crew, then. Let’s do this.”
33
Playing the Part
Maggie
Desmond is still locked away in his office when Faye’s crew arrives and completely takes over the kitchen. The second Desmond walked out, Faye made a quick phone call and opened the door for them all to start piling in: hair and makeup, wardrobe, director of photography, three different cameramen, lighting crew, audio people, and craft services. The entire scene brings me right back to my modeling days.
While my nerves are rattling around inside, I’m also trying to be there for Desmond. So when Faye asks me to run and “fetch” her food and flowers from the market, or when she requests that I run and grab an apron for Desmond’s cohost, among various other tasks, I do it with no argument or delay, even though I’m quickly growing more and more worried about Desmond.
When Faye gets into a deep conversation with the director of photography, I slip into the back room and tap lightly on Desmond’s office door. “It’s me,” I say quietly, hoping my voice is loud enough for him to hear. The last thing I want is for Faye to come back here and start barking out more demands, not until I know where Desmond’s head is at.
There’s a click of the door, and it opens just enough for me to slip inside. Then Desmond shuts it behind me and leans against the door with a heavy sigh. “Is it over yet?”
I tilt my head and hug his waist while staring up into his eyes. “No, but I can make her go away if you really want me to.”
He smiles at that and leans down to press a kiss on my nose. Flutters erupt in my chest, and I just don’t know how we went from mortal enemies to each other’s comfort. I feel like Desmond needs me, and I need him, maybe in ways neither of us have experienced before.
I blush when I think about the way