Page 58 of A Little Bit Extra

I can’t talk to Marcy about it because she’d likely just glare at me and tell me I’m “making a dumb mistake and I’ll regret it.” She would then later regret what she said and be supportive of whatever I do, but she can be a little bitter in the moment, especially on a substantial change like us no longer working together.

Tyler, Lane, and Max would understand, but I don’t know how to explain it. It’s different. I can easily go to them about other issues, like when I disagree with a script or have contracts I need advice on. This is a more intimate issue. It’s personal. And for some reason, Cassie is the only person I want to talk to about it.

Well, I know the reason. I like her. A lot. More than a lot. A metric ton. I like her more than most people and I’ve known her for the shortest amount of time.

I sigh into my palm. I have it bad.

My phone buzzes with a text back from Cassie. She’ll be over around six. That leaves me eight hours until I get to have her alone again. To distract my mind, I spend the next hour reading lines and doom scrolling on my phone.

The door to my trailer swings open. Marcy walks up the stairs. I side-eye her from where I’m sitting.

“What are you doing just sitting there? You’re supposed to be on set.” Marcy glances at her clipboard. No one around here would survive without one. She slides her pointer finger in various directions on the page. “Ah, yes, 10 minutes ago, hence why I’m here.” She looks up from the clipboard, a giant grin plastered on her face.

“You could have radioed me.” I stand up from the stool and push it back under the island. I walk toward her. She turns back toward the door, opens it, and starts walking down the stairs as I follow.

“I could have, but I was getting ready to head off-site and Ed asked me to check on you. He said you two talked and you still haven’t decided what you’re doing after this?” She glances back for a moment to see my reaction, which is why I ensure a neutral reaction. No one needs to see my struggle.

Also, why is everyone so worried about my next contract? My dad, Ed, Marcy, and I’m sure there are a few others that just haven’t bothered me yet. I can make my own damn decisions and I have enough money to be without a job for the next few years if nothing happens immediately with my writing.

“I’m working on it.” I keep it vague, hoping she doesn’t decide to press me for more information.

Thankfully, she doesn’t and just asks me about my week so far while we walk toward the studio. I scroll on my phone while giving her one-word answers, not in the mood for small talk today.

“Hi, Cassie!” Marcy greets and my eyes snap up to find Cassie coming out of the studio door, walking toward us. Marcy embraces Cassie in a hug. I find Cassie’s gaze and raise my eyebrows in question. I wasn’t aware Marcy was a fan of Cassie. I thought she still held some sort of grudge against her.

Cassie’s cheeks flush in response as Marcy steps back from their hug. “Hi, Marcy. I’m excited to get lunch later.”

Marcy turns to me. “I asked Cassie for lunch today to get to know her better. I figure if she’s going to hang around the group more, it would be nice for us to become friends.”

“Carla is joining us too!” Cassie chimes in.

Marcy turns to Cassie. “Oh! Great! Wonderful.” She turns back to me. “Sorry Emmett, ladies’ lunch. I’m sure you’ll be fine with the guys.”

“I have a scene during lunch today. You should know that, Marcy, queen of schedules,” I tease and send Cassie a wink while Marcy is looking at her clipboard to check the schedule.

“Bye ladies!” I wave as I walk through the door to the studio set, the door closing as Marcy asks Cassie what she did last night after work.

I stand by the door momentarily, trying to figure out if I can hear what they are saying, but Ed calls my name from the other side of the room. Since I’m already late, I strut over to see him. I’m hoping today goes by quickly because I have dinner tonight with Cassie and I think we need to define what’s going on between us and the rules for our being exclusive.

17

Cassie

After an awkward lunch with Marcy and Carla, I felt like I didn’t stop walking for the rest of the day. Carla needed something from casting, so I had to go visit Max. Max didn’t know where it was, so I had to track down Lane. I finally got some envelope to deliver to Carla, who left a note saying she had to run an errand. I took a literal five second breather before Ed’s voice came over the radio to ask me to come to set to help catering restock dressing rooms, the long table on set, and find out if anyone has any dietary restrictions for dinner that evening. Why was I doing all of this? I didn’t even have time to ask, and honestly, I didn’t care.

It kept me busy. If I stopped for a moment, my mind would flash to last night. The memories set my body ablaze, making me feel like a walking inferno, and I couldn't shake the feeling that everyone could see it. So, I said yes to every task that was asked of me because that meant my mind had something to focus on before our dinner tonight.

Dinner. Tonight. Butterflies swarm my stomach, circling from one side to the other. My heart races even though I know it’s just Emmett and it’ll be like every other night we hang out.

I’m glad I get to talk to Lucy before heading over. I need to confide in someone. Lucy already knows I’ve been hanging out with Emmett, so I know it’s safe to tell her. Plus, she’s kind of an outsider to the studio crew. Sure, she’s hung out with everyone, but she doesn’t have to see them every day. I don’t know if she still talks to Tyler. I’m waiting for her to tell me about what happened there when she’s ready.

She has enough on her plate with her fall art showcase coming up. Likewise, my audition for the acting showcase is this weekend, which I find hard to believe. The actual showcase will take place in a few weeks. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was struggling with my scenes and trying to figure out how the fuck I was going to pull them together.

Then Emmett came along, rehearsed with me last night, which led to…yeah, and now I’m feeling great about this weekend. I’m motivated, more motivated than I’ve been the last year. I’m actually looking forward to this weekend instead of dreading it.

When I get to my apartment, my phone buzzes. I look to find Annie’s name on the caller screen.

“Hi, Anns,” I answer. I hold the phone in between my right ear and shoulder as I sling my bag over my opposite shoulder. We’re lucky to live a few blocks off the main drive, so it’s fairly quiet. I smile at a few others who enter the building at the same time as me and press the elevator button to go up to the 5th floor.

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