Page 6 of Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer
“Then why did you send it?”
“I promised a friend I’d get it in front of my favorite male lead. I fulfilled my promise, now I’ll toss it.” I heard Clint shuffle papers and pictured him jotting down notes to send the script writer.
Clint kept his promises. It was one of the many reasons I kept working with him. After years of hearing the lies fall from my parents’ lips, I was done with dishonest people.
“Besides you’re smart. You’ve got the same talent as your parents. You know when a script works or not. Tell me your favorite.”
“I actually liked the rom-com. Just coming off an action movie, it will be good to remind people I have range, so I don’t get pigeonholed into a tough, emotionless super soldier.”
I trusted Clint more than most other people, but I didn’t tell him I’d also chosen the rom-com because of the humor. The others were overly touchy-feely for me, and I’d had enough drama in my life.
“Perfect. I was leaning toward that one myself.” He took pride in correctly guessing which ones I’d pick. Clint often said he knew his clients better than they knew themselves.
“Did they choose the female lead? I noticed a few names were listed.”
“Yes, they just signed on—” The tapping of keys sounded through the phone. “Amber O’Hare. I think this movie is a good choice for you and your career. The director was very interested in you for this role. From what I heard, she’s top-notch and will treat you right.”
“Good to know.” I’d researched the director and the production company after I read the script. The company focused on female leads, women-crafted stories, and hiring women directors. My mother had drilled into me that women needed more support in the industry and how she’d wanted to start her own production company one day.
“You’re still coming back on Monday, right?”
“Yes, I’ll be back on Monday.” I wanted to explore the tiny state more, and with my interest in buying a house here, it would help me see which areas I was interested in.
“All right. Take it easy.”
“You too.” I hung up and dropped down into the nearby armchair.
I wasn’t ready for Monday.
On a whim, my parents had taken me here when I turned twelve and it was one of the best vacations I’d ever had. We could have gone to Newport or Nantucket, but instead, my parents rented a house by the beach in the perfect little beach town of Matunuck.
For those two weeks, it wasn’t about getting seen in public. Instead, we’d started each day by lounging in our pajamas having a leisurely breakfast, then we’d go for a swim at the beach right outside our door. My dad had even tried boogie boarding with me. Then every night after dinner, we’d walk down the street and grab ice cream cones from the Vanilla Bean. For the first time, it had seemed like I was their priority, not the drugs they were so addicted to.
I stood and paced the room.
I needed to stop where my thoughts were going. Thinking about my parents was not the way to make the rest of my vacation relaxing. Other than that one trip, my life with them hadn’t been ideal. Forgotten or ignored most of the time, my parents’ hired help was the only reason I survived my early years. Later in my teens, with my uncle by my side, I worked to undo the hurt and mental anguish. I only got through it because he never gave up on me.
After how I grew up, I couldn’t do that to a child. I was afraid I’d repeat my parents’ mistakes or completely screw my kid up in other ways.
My gaze landed on a handful of brochures the owners of the AirBNB had left for guests. Flipping through, I found what I was looking for. A nearby venue on the beach had two bands playing tonight. I tapped the Uber app to head there for a few drinks. Anything to get my mind away from the tragic pieces of my past.
***
THE CAR STOPPED INfront of the bar. It was larger and nicer than what I’d expected. With the windows down, I could just make out the soothing sound of waves crashing in the distance over the band playing inside, and it reminded me of the woman from this afternoon. In my gut, I knew I was unlikely to forget her anytime soon.
Hell, who was I kidding? My whole body still ached at the thought of her—how her warm, soft skin felt next to mine. And the way her body brushed and rubbed against me. I wondered if I would run into her again before I left.
I headed inside. The place was dark enough, so I was reasonably confident that I’d be fairly unrecognizable if I kept the brim of my cap low. Hopefully the scruff I was sporting would help, too.
The scuffed wooden plank floors told of the years the place had been in business. And the casual atmosphere welcomed newcomers. A throng of bodies swayed in front of me on the jam-packed dance floor. A wall of windows and the light from the full moon, captured the turbulent sea below on the opposite side of the room.
Posters of bands splayed across the walls like wallpaper and lights hung from the open rafters above. Stopping at the large bar to my right, I grabbed a beer and took a swig. The band blared songs from the ‘80s, and the crowd loved it. The room was already heating up from all the bodies inside, and the floors pulsed with the beat of the music. Laughter could be heard interspersed with conversations happening at the bar next to me. The lighting created a more intimate feel in the small venue, while the vibe of the room was upbeat and happy. People were there to let loose and have a good time.
This is what I needed. A night to enjoy good music, a few drinks, and then I’d head back to finish up my last weekend here.
Now, if only I could get that hot redhead off my mind.
