Page 56 of Stay for Me
Catherine laughs. “Kids.”
“I have a niece about Aubrey’s age, I get it.” Hadley would be the same way if Connor were gone a lot. She adores him, needs him, and is attached to his hip when she can be.
Noah unmutes as Aubrey sits in the chair behind him with her arms crossed. “I’m back. I forgot that you’re back home now. How’s that going?”
Catherine answers for me. “He’s directing the town’s school play.”
Noah’s eyebrows shoot up, and he lets out a chuckle. “Really? Well. Wow. Good for you. How’s that going?”
I’m not sure if being annoying is grounds for termination. “It’s fine. We have auditions later today.”
“The fun part . . . said no director ever.”
“Any tips?” I might as well get advice where I can.
“Just follow your gut. Cast someone who will work hard if they’re the lead. Talent is great, but hard work is better.” Aubrey shifts and whispers in his ear. Noah sighs and then returns to the topic of the call. “Listen, I would love to shoot the shit, but that’s not going to happen. I want us to go over some options of reshoots and talk about prep for the next movie. I know you’re spending time in Pennsylvania, so coming out to the studio would be a pain in the ass, and honestly, I need to be home for a bit. What about if we work out a schedule sometime next month?”
I nod. “That’s fine.”
“Good. I appreciate it. I also wanted to see if you had questions about the script forForced Landing.”
“I do. I actually . . . I have issues.”
“Yeah?”
“Noah, we’ve always been straight with each other. I respect you and your work not just as a director but also as an actor.”
“I appreciate that,” Noah says earnestly.
“But this script . . .”
“It’s total shit?” he finishes.
I breathe a huge sigh of relief. “Yes, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I’ve spent the last three weeks making the writers redo it to where I’m happy with it. They should be done this week and then we’ll send it out. We will not have a delay, so you’ll have to work hard to get the new one down. As soon as we’re sure it all ties in I’ll need you to be ready to head to L.A. for any reshoots forFlight Planwhen I call.”
For a new script, one that’s better, I’ll do whatever it takes. “Of course.”
“Good.”
“Noah? Can we go shoppingnow?” Aubrey asks.
“One minute, sweetheart.” He placates her and then turns back. “I have to go, but the biggest change to the series is that you’re going to have a love interest. One that isn’t fleeting and she’ll carry through the rest of the movies.”
“Really?” That was one of the big things that Noah wanted to leave out when the first movie was written.
“Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I want it. Once you get the script, you’ll see. We’re adding a redhead superhero female who is going to knock you on your ass. I gotta run. Talk to you soon and send me an email once you read it over.”
He disconnects, and I’m left feeling as if my fictional life and real life are mirroring each other just a little too much.
Chapter Fourteen
Jacob
“All right, everyone.” I clap my hands as all the kids settle down. “I was very impressed with the work you guys did today. There are some very talented people in this group, and I look forward to announcing the cast tomorrow.”
They all look around with huge smiles.
