Page 62 of How to Ruin Your Ex's Wedding
“Tabatha, are you sitting down?”
“Technically, I’m lying down, why?”
“I’ve got you a part. It’s the part to beat all parts.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Ang—”
“Well, I do. And this is not one to pass up.”
“What is it?”
I barely get the question out before Angela jumps in excitedly and starts describing the project and the role. And she’s right. It’s not one I want to pass on. Even though acting isn’t a top priority any longer, it’s the kind of role that could bring me back into the fold if I wanted it to. And, since my name is in the news due to the engagement, it’s the perfect time to capitalize on the free publicity I’m already getting.
The role is in a three-part, mini-series based on the first book in a (so far) seventeen book series. So, the potential to continue the role in future projects is good. I’d be playing a Seattle cop-turned-private investigator after she botches a high-profile kidnapping case and is asked to leave the force. In her free time she continues to look into the kidnapping, trying to solve it, and is convinced she’s been set up.
Angela’s already emailed me the script and sent me a link to the e-book that it’s based on, and says that hard copies of both will be delivered by messenger later this morning. She then informs me that I have to let her know by this afternoon if I’m interested, and disconnects the call. It seems like a stupid question—whether I’m interested—since I already know I am. Why wouldn’t I be? It’s a six-week shooting schedule—wrapped just in time for the wedding—and since Hunter and Liza are taking care of the bulk of the details anyway, it should be fine if I’m not available all the time.
I almost email her immediately and tell her I’ll take it, but then decide to get some coffee, wake up a bit, and peruse the script before deciding for certain.
Hunter’s side of the bed is cold, so I know he’s been up for a while. And if my guess is correct, he’s long gone to his office downtown. I’d thought when we got home last night that we would discuss the whole Pax thing, but he didn’t bring it up. When I tried to, he told me it was over and done with, to leave the past in the past. So, I am. But I still worry I’ve hurt him somehow and that is definitely not my intention.
I dress in yoga pants, tank top, and a hoodie, pad to the kitchen for coffee and then sit in my favorite chair on the balcony to take a look at the script.
Two hours later, I’ve read the entire thing and it’s brilliant. I want this role. It’s perfect for me. I call Angela instead of messaging to let her know. She confirms the logistics. The mini-series is shooting on one of the islands off Seattle, so I don’t even have to travel far for the role. We get the contract and everything else out of the way and I settle in to read the book that it’s based on.
Morning turns to afternoon and it isn’t until early evening that I’ve finished most of the book. I’d silenced my phone while I was reading so I wouldn’t be interrupted and could get through it as fast as possible. In the meantime, I missed one call from Crystal, two calls from Liza, and six calls from Hunter. I call Hunter back first.
“Tabatha, where in the hell have you been?” he answers.
“Here. Home. I sent you a text to tell you I was silencing my phone while I worked.”
“Well, I didn’t get it. And what could you have been working on that required you to silence your phone?”
“I was reading a script that Angela sent over. Well, not just the script, but the book that it was based on as well.”
“Why would Angela send you a script? You aren’t acting any longer.”
“She thought I would want to reconsider once I saw this role.”
“You’re not taking the role though, right?”
Why wouldn’t he want me taking the role?
“Actually, I am. Why?”
“Need I remind you we are getting married in a few weeks.”
“I know that, it’s not going to interfere. It’s only a six-week shoot, so I’ll be finished a week before the wedding, just in time for everything.”
He sighs heavily.
“Tabatha, I need your help with the planning.”
“Well, you haven’t really so far. No offense, Hunter, but you and Liza have taken care of everything on your own without needing much from me at all.”
“How can you say that? Of course I’ve needed you. You’re my bride, not Liza.”
“Okay, I’m sorry.”
