went my whole career without every trying something like this.”
“You’re good at dramatic acting,” Caitlin said. “I’m surprised you haven’t done more of it before.”
“My old agent led me to believe I needed to stick to comedic work,” Curt explained. “He was following the money, but I didn’t know that at the time.”
“Oh,” Caitlin said. “That sucks.”
“Well, that’s why I got new representation.”
Among other reasons.
“Actors back on set, please!” a voice called.
Curt turned his head from side to side so that Caitlin could examine her work. “Am I good?” he asked.
“One sec…” She grabbed a pencil and made a quick adjustment. “Okay, yes, perfect. Knock ’em dead.”
Curt stood up and made his way back toward the set. He was about to take his position to restart the scene when a faint buzzing caught his ear.
Fortunately, he was primed to pick up on that sound. He had been listening intently for it for weeks now. Several times, he’d imagined he was hearing it when he really wasn’t. But this time, there was no mistaking it.
His phone was ringing.
“Hang on,” he called to the rest of the production team, and hurried toward the bag he’d left over by the wall. He rummaged inside it and pulled out his phone.
Dimitri Belov would have hated this, he couldn’t help thinking. He would have gone nuts at the idea of a cell phone on his set.
But the current director said nothing. He just waited.
He knew just as well as Curt did who was on the other end of this call, and how important it was that the call be answered.
“Hello?” Curt said.
“Curt, it’s Janette,” the familiar voice came over the line, and Curt was struck anew by how much her voice sounded like her sister’s and yet how different she managed to sound at the same time.
He would never have confused them for the same person. Janette was bubbly and effervescent. Annalise was serious, and when she spoke, you could tell that she was giving you her full, undivided attention.
“What’s going on?” Curt asked Janette urgently.
“We’re on our way to the hospital,” Janette said. “She’s in labor.”
“You’re kidding.”
Janette laughed. “Of course I’m not kidding! That’s what happens when someone is nine months pregnant! To be honest, I’m surprised she was able to carry them as long as she did. Remember, the doctor said it wouldn’t be out of line to expect a premature birth, given that she’s having triplets.”
“Right.” Curt had spent weeks worrying about that very possibility.
“Can you meet us at the hospital?” Janette asked.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Curt promised. “Is Annalise okay?”
“Doing well so far,” Janette said. “I’ll keep you updated.”
“Thanks,” Curt said. He disconnected and turned around.
The entire production team was beaming at him.
“You heard that?” he asked.
“You’d better go,” the director said.
“It’s okay?” Curt asked. “I don’t want to blow off the shoot.”
The director smiled. “Family comes first. You know that.”
Curt let out a sigh of relief. Even though it had been months since he had parted ways with Jacob and embarked on this new, kinder version of an acting career, he still wasn’t used to working with people who understood and agreed with his priorities.
It’s amazing that they can all be so dedicated to what we’re doing and still care so much about the human side of life.
“Get to the hospital,” the director advised. “And give us a call when it’s over. We’ll all be thinking of you.”
“Thanks,” Curt called over his shoulder, already running toward the parking lot.
James drove him to the hospital in record time. Curt felt as if his feet were hardly touching the floor as he ran up the stairs and down the hall to the room number Janette had texted him. He skidded to a stop outside the door and went inside.
Annalise was reclined on a bed, her sister seated beside her and weaving her hair into a braid. “Curt,” she gasped, reaching out for his hand. “You made it.”
“You know I wouldn’t miss it.” He hurried to her side and took her hand.
“I thought you might not be able to come until you finished shooting for the day—”
“Everyone was really understanding,” he said, grabbing a chair and pulling it up beside her bed. “They ended the shoot early for the day. We’ll pick it up again in a few days, when I’m able to go back. And I’m sure they’ll give me a light schedule for a little while so I can be at home with you.”
“Janette and Raúl will