Page 42 of One Pucking Chance

“Mom. Oh my gosh, I’ve been trying to get ahold of you forever.”

“Oh, Anna, hi. Sorry, just been so busy.” She sounds winded.

“Why haven’t you called or messaged back? You’ve literally been ignoring me for a month,” I say. I realize I don’t have time to get into this now as I only have about ten more minutes of break left, but I have to say something.

“I’ve been busy, Anna. You know how it is.”

“I’ve been busy, too, Mom, but I’ve called. I just don’t understand. Is this because of Dad?”

She scoffs. “No. Don’t get me wrong, the way you treated your father was unacceptable, but I simply have a lot going on. That’s all.”

“So Dad’s still mad?” I toss the rest of my protein shake in the trash can.

“Can you blame him? You humiliated him. You ran out on him after all he did to set everything up for you. And then ignore him?”

“You haven’t even heard my side, Mom.”

“I know.” She sighs. “But now is not the time. I have a spa appointment. I have to go.”

“Mom!”

“Yes?”

“Today is my last day of shooting, and then I’ll be back. We’ll get together.”

“Sounds good, Anna. Have a good last day. Chat soon.”

Before I have a chance to respond, I hear a click, and she’s gone. I stare at my phone’s screen, bewildered.

Miranda rounds the corner. “Anna, there you are. You’re wanted in makeup, and you have a visitor.”

I push my conversation with my mother to the back of my mind. “Oh, he’s here? Great.”

Jaden’s wearing a fitted black T-shirt and jeans. His hands are in his pockets as he looks around the set.

“Hey, you.” I lean forward and give him a small peck on the lips for show.

“Hey.” He scans my body. “You look very 1970s.”

“Good.” I grin. “Then our costume department knows what they’re doing.” Raising a hand, I tousle his damp hair.

“Practice ran a little late. I showered and came right over.”

I take his hand in mine and give it a squeeze. “Perfect timing. We’re getting ready to do our last scene, and if all goes well, we’ll wrap today. You can just hang out here. There are tables of food if you’re hungry. If you need anything, just text Miranda.”

“I’ll be fine. Have fun.”

“I will.” I give him another kiss and retreat to the makeup chair.

Once filming starts, I’m transported to a 1970s boardroom where a brilliant woman defends her appointment to CEO of a major company. I channel what it must have felt like to be the first woman to do so. I imagine it would’ve been terrifying but infuriating to fight so hard for something I deserved. To have to prove time and time again that I’m more qualified than any of the men sitting around me. Chest out, voice strong, I deliver the monologue as if I was personally the one who made this company what it is. My voice quivers with a pent-up rage that the role deserves.

We film for hours, and it’s so fun. The time flies by. My favorite scenes to film are the emotionally charged ones. In order to give the performance the film deserves, I have to truly get lost in the character, and that’s my favorite thing to do.

When the director cuts and says it’s a wrap, the entire cast and crew cheer. I hug Simon and all the other actors on set. There were moments in this project when I wasn’t sure how it’d turn out, but I believe it will be an incredible movie.

Jaden is all smiles as he waits for me with open arms. I lunge into his embrace, and he hugs me tight. “You are amazing. Fucking chills, Anna. God, that was good.”

“Thank you.” I melt into his hug.

---