Page 4 of Callback
CHAPTER TWO
Marly
“Thank you somuch for coming in, Marlena. We will be in touch in the next couple of days.”
Crap.
Crap, shit, motherfu—
“Thank you for the chance to read for Holly,” I said, ignoring the sailor inside my brain throwing curse words around. I nodded graciously, but inside, I was a screaming, raving mess. Could I have screwed up that audition more? I’m usually so strong and solid in my character choices. But in that room, I was stuttering and blushing like a friggin’ virgin on prom night. I’d even tripped—actuallystumbled backwards as Jude approached me during the scene. We were supposed to have chemistry for God’s sake, and I could barely look the man in the eyes.
I grinned at the table of producers, directors, and casting directors; but even my smile felt too tight. Frigid. “Thankyoufor meeting with me,” I went down the line, shaking each of their hands, hesitating when I got to Jude. “Thanks again.”
“It was a good read,” he said. “You really seem to level with Holly.” He licked his lips, his hand lingering on mine.
Kyle’s words flashed in my mind.Keep your nose clean. No flirting.I wrenched my hand from Jude’s—perhaps a bit too hard. “Well, I think she and I have a lot in common.” Why the hell did I say that? Holly and I have nothing in common.
His mouth twitched as he dipped his hand into his pocket.
“Thanks again for the opportunity,” I addressed the group, backing out the door, and exhaling in sweet relief when I was finally alone. I shuffled down the quiet hall and found a ladies room to slip inside. Turning on the faucet, I wet a paper towel and placed the cool cloth on the back of my neck.
What would I say to Kyle? That I let my nerves get the best of me? (Again.) And screwed up another audition? (Again.) I read those scenes completely wrong. If this bad audition streak kept up, it didn’t matter how much Kyle cared for me; he was going to drop me as a client. And then I’d be back bartending at the Comedy Cellar. Or worse yet—back to filming commercials. Was there anything more embarrassing than a once well-known celebrity peddling Atkins meal bars or some shit like that?
Yeah, I’d had a one hit romantic comedy, but I wanted something real. Something raw. And this was that project… I could feel it. If only I could make the producers realize it, too. Did I love Holly’s character? Not really. A submissive woman who lets a man dictate everything from what she wore, to what she eats, to when she worked out?
It’s not exactly a character I connected with.Which is exactly why I need to do it.If I could tap into a character that made my skin crawl and still make it authentic, then maybe I could also eradicate those whispers of doubt that echoyou’re not good enoughin my mind at every freaking audition.
I needed another chance; another audition. I flicked through the faces I’d just met—who had been the most approachable? Seth seemed reasonable; maybe if I spoke to him before leaving?
Tossing the wet paper towel in the trash, I shoved a shoulder into the bathroom door and steeled myself to march back into that room and show them just how perfect I’d be as Holly. The corner of the door bounced into something on the other side and swung back, knocking me onto my ass.
“Ow,” I croaked, rubbing the heels of my hands.
The door creaked open slowly and there, on the other side, pinching the bridge of his nose, was Jude. I muttered a curse under my breath as he crouched in front of me, concern marring his face. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “I… I’m fine. I was just—”
“In a hurry, apparently,” he cut me off, extending a hand.
I pushed off the bathroom floor and winced at the jolt of pain that bolted up my wrist. I hesitated for just a second before dropping my good hand into Jude’s. A surge of power pulled me to a standing position and his hand cradled mine, large and warm. What the hell was it about this guy that had me so unnerved? I gulped a panicked breath before rushing to the sink, washing my hands. “I’m so sorry—is your… did I hurt you?” If I broke that beautiful face of his, I would never forgive myself.
He put a hand to his nose once more before dropping it to his sides. “I think I’ll live. You sure you’re all right?”
Oh, hell. With how much I fall down? This was nothing. I rolled my eyes in spite of myself. “Oh, I’m fine. That’s nothing compared to some of the falls I’ve taken.” I shrugged, shaking the water from my hands.
In the mirror, I watched as Jude’s lush mouth curved into a grin, revealing a delicious dimple on the side. “Why are you in such a hurry?”
I swallowed, frozen, as though captured by those sparkling green eyes of his. Damn, he had an effect on me. And I hated him for that. “Um, actually, I was going back into the room—to see you all again.”
“Oh?” His eyebrows twitched higher. “Forget something?”
“No. It’s just… my audition… was a bit lacking. And I want them—um, you—to see what all I’m capable of.”
“Ms. Taylor, I think we know perfectly well what you’re capable of.” His voice was soft, but no less intense and my blood heated, running thicker through my veins as I forced my breathing to remain steady. I resisted the urge to take a step back—was that… was hehittingon me? No. This could not happen at yet another audition.
I crossed my arms, elongating my neck. Even with my three-inch heels—he still had a good six inches on me. “And what’s that supposed to mean?” I challenged quietly, eyes narrowing.
Jude’s smirk twitched higher on one side before it dropped completely. “You thought your audition was lacking?” he repeated. I opened my mouth to answer, only Jude continued talking, before I could even get a word in. “You thought the scene we read in there together wasn’t good?” He took a step closer and what little air was left between us buzzed to life.
