Page 40 of Prelude of Love

“You’ll be fine,” he reassured me, which was a greater kindness than I expected from someone as professional as him.

“Places, everyone,” Tennyson called out. “Chance, Rook, come here.”

We gathered around him as he outlined the scene. “This is Cade and Grady’s first meeting. Cade’s here to check out the venue before open mic night. There needs to be an immediate attraction, but Grady’s confused by it since he’s never been attracted to a man before. I want tension, curiosity, and that delicious uncertainty of new possibilities. Got it?”

Rook nodded, already sliding into character.I tried to mirror his professionalism, but my hands trembled.

“Let’s run it,” Tennyson said, stepping back. “And…action.”

I walked toward the bar, trying to channel Cade’s easy confidence. But with every step, I grew more aware of the cameras, the crew, Tennyson’s critical gaze, and Duke watching from the back. It was like I had forgotten how to walk.

I’d performed in front of thousands, commanded entire stadiums with just my voice and presence. Acting should have been easy. Instead, my skin prickled with hyperawareness of every detail, from the weight of the cameras tracking my movement to the subtle shifts of the lighting as I passed through it. But my eyes drifted to find Duke.

“Cut!” Tennyson’s voice was laced with irritation. “Chance, your attention needs to be on Rook, got it?”

My cheeks heated in humiliation. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Let’s go again from the top. Action!”

I reset my position, rolling my shoulders back. Cade might be nervous about performing later, but their first meeting was his element. I could relate to the thrill of catching someone’s attention, the game of seeing how far that interest might go. Duke distracting me had to stop.

Keeping my focus on Rook as I approached the bar, I let Cade’s confidence wrap around me like afamiliar jacket. I’d played the role countless times in real life of the flirtatious musician who could charm his way into anyone’s good graces. The only difference was now I had a script.

Rook stood behind the bar, polishing a glass the same way Duke had been the first day I met him. In character, Rook asked, “Looking for something specific?”

And in that split second, I forgot every word in the English language. I could only stare at Rook with scared eyes.

“Cut!” Tennyson growled in frustration. “What’s going on, Chance?”

“Sorry, I’ll—I promise I’ll do better,” I stammered, feeling two inches tall.

“Stop wasting our time,” he said in a clipped tone. “I need you to take this seriously.”

I bowed my head as shame washed over me. “Yes, sir.” I wasn’t used to being bad at anything, so the rebuke stung twice as much.

“Start again.” Tennyson waited until I returned to my original position before calling out, “Action!”

I took a deep breath, doing my best to embody Cade’s confidence as I headed for the bar. It should have been effortless since flirting with hot guys was my specialty. But with the cameras rolling and Duke’s presence burning into my back, the simple scene felt impossible.

“Looking for something specific?” His delivery was perfect again.

My mouth opened, but nothing came out. I knew the line. I’d practiced it a hundred times.Just say it. Say anything!

The director’s harsh tone made me flinch. “Cut! Chance, the line is ‘Maybe. Depends on what you’re offering.’ It’s not Shakespeare.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” Heat crawled up my neck. “Let me try again.”

“From the top. Action!”

I walked to the bar again, my feet feeling like lead weights. Rook delivered his line flawlessly.

“Maybe it might depend,” I stumbled over the words.

“Cut! Focus, Chance.”

My hands trembled as I returned to my starting mark. I’d performed for stadiums of screaming fans, done countless interviews, and filmed music videos before. Why was such a simple scene destroying me?

“Action!”

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