Page 75 of Off Script

Since Tristan and Jada had already rehearsed together like crazy, this option was ideal. Furthermore, it wasn’t uncommon for contenders for a role to audition jointly, usually to see if the actors had chemistry with one another. They eagerly jumped at the opportunity and Logan led them away, much to the surly receptionist’s discontent.

When Logan escorted them into the casting office, a bespectacled man and a lanky woman awaited them.

“Jada, Tristan, I’d like you to meet Zora, our casting guru, and Donnie, the director ofLove and War.” Logan introduced them.

Tristan and Jada traded greetings with the execs who would decide their fate. Tristan didn’t have a read on them yet, but he knew he and Jada would knock their socks off.

“You can begin when you’re ready,” Zora said graciously.

Tristan traded a knowing look with his partner. The piece for the callback involved their characters debating how to take down the movie’s villain. But overall, the scene was merely a higher stakes performance of their previous time acting at Jada’s apartment. Together, they would nail it and become the stars of this future billion-dollar film.

With ease, Tristan picked up the scene, playing off of Jada’s witty sarcasm as if they’d been doing it their whole lives. Their newfound sexual discovery of one another only heightened the underlying desire between their two characters. It was undeniable: he and Jada had kick-ass chemistry.

After some suggestions from Donnie and a few more run-throughs—which they killed—Donnie thanked them for their time. Logan walked them out, giving them another sly wink.

“Great job, guys. We’ll let you know later, all right?” Despite the casting team’s positive response, as soon as Tristan and Jada were outside, Jada’s trusty anxiety kicked in.

“Do you think it went okay?” she asked uncertainly.

“Putting a Jada Berklee–Tristan Maxwell match to the test? We aced it,” Tristan said. “And, although I would love to rejoice in our victory . . . I have to go meet Doug.”

“Oh.” Insecurity flitted across Jada’s face but she hid it swiftly.

“You can come with me, but it’s going to be a boring business meeting.Rival Warriorscomes out in a few days and he wanted to check in with me before the press junket madness starts.” Tristan would have preferred hanging out with Jada over doing a PR blitz for his upcoming action film. Especially so soon after finishingLove Locket. But hey, that was the way of the industry and its horrific time constraints.

“Sounds like you’re going to be pretty busy.” Jada stared down at their feet, but Tristan touched her chin, encouraging her to look at him.

“I’m not bailing,” he promised. “If you’re worried that I’m going to disappear after we’ve connected, you’re wrong. Sure, things will be busy with the film’s release, but who do you think I’m taking to the premiere?”

Jada pointed at herself, feigning disbelief. The whole Who? Little old me? routine.

“Yes, you silly.” Tristan pulled her in for a kiss. “You gonna be my date?”

“Eh . . . I guess if there’s nothing on TV,” Jada said before apprehensively hopping back on Tristan’s “Doomsday Ride.”

While they were both reluctant to part, they did. Tristan safely brought her back to his place, and Jada headed home in her much safer Infiniti. Tristan promised to call her later, and for once, it didn’t feel like a line out of a Don Juan playbook. In high spirits, Tristan headed to his meeting with Doug, arriving at a hole-in-the-wall Indian restaurant.

He found Doug at a corner table by the window, tapping away at his smartphone.

“Hey, Doug! Beautiful day, huh?”

Doug raised a suspicious brow. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing. It’s a nice day, that’s all.” Tristan gestured at the busy sidewalk outside. While the weather had been bright and sunny earlier, storm clouds were making their way across the horizon.

“If you say so. How did the audition go? Did you see Jada?”

“See her? We read lines together.”

“Perfect!” Doug said. If they weren’t in public, he’d probably have clapped his hands with glee.

“After Logan and the director have seen what you’re like together, there’s no way you won’t get taken on as the leads.”

“Agreed,” Tristan said, tearing off a piece of naan bread. His mind flickered back to how their lively portrayals had brought intensity and life to an otherwise stale white casting room. His gut told him their success was a guarantee.

“Jada will be happy. Although this may mean you’ll have to masquerade as a couple together for a lot longer than we imagined.”

“That’s okay,” Tristan said, unfazed.

---