Page 38 of Prelude of Love
“Really?” I raised a challenging eyebrow. “What about last week when that guy from the bar turned out to be a professional clown who wanted you to dress up as a mime for his private birthday party performance?”
Chance almost choked on his muffin. “Hewhat?”
“In my defense, I didn’t know about the mime thing until after we’d already made out in his car.”Red’s face flushed as red as his hair. “And for the record, I would’ve looked amazing in striped pants and face paint.”
“Hon, the man had a trunk full of rubber noses and rainbow wigs. That should’ve been your first clue to bail.”
“Listen.” Red pointed his coffee cup at me for emphasis. “He was hot, and he did this thing with his tongue that proved he wasn’t just good at blowing up balloons.”
“I’m going to stop you right there before this story gets any more X-rated.” I laughed hard at his dating antics. “Some things should stay between a man and his balloon animals.”
Red snorted in amusement. “I was smart enough not to stick around for him to pretend to pull a never-ending scarf out of my asshole. I bailed after he somehow played a kazoo noise while blowing my dick as a prelude to asking me to role-play as the famous French mime Marcel Marceau for his birthday present.”
We laughed until tears filled our eyes.
“On thatnote,” Red said, triggering another round of laughter at his choice of words. “I better head out. Good luck with rehearsals, handsome. I’ll see you later.”
Once he bounced out the door, I took his seat. “What’s got you tied up in knots? And don’t tell me it’s only first-day jitters.”
He picked at the muffin, avoiding my gaze. “How do I keep up with Rook Warrick? And the director’s known for being…” Chance paused, searching for the right word.
“A perfectionist?”
“That’s putting it mildly.” He pushed his glasses up his nose. “I heard that during his last movie, he went above and beyond to make the lead actress cry because her sobbing wasn’t ‘authentically devastated’ enough. How do I not let that get in my head?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Has Duke told you about his doubts when he first opened Hurly-burly?”
Chance’s head snapped up. “He had doubts? But he’s soDuke.”
“Oh, hon, you should’ve seen him. There was a restaurant consultant who told Duke his menu was ‘pedestrian’ and his business plan was ‘amateur hour at best.’ Duke stress-cooked for three days straight. We had so many practice burgers I thought I’d turn into one.”
Chance’s eyes widened. “But they’re amazing.”
“They are now. But it took time, practice, and a lot of cursing in the kitchen.” I reached across the table to pat his hand. “The point is, everyone starts somewhere. Even Duke ‘I-could-bench-press-a-car’ Morrow had to learn his craft.”
“But what if I’m not cut out for this? What if I’m just wasting everyone’s time?”
“Can I tell you a secret?” I waited until henodded. “That feeling you’re having? That ‘what if I’m not good enough’ voice in your head? It means you care about doing a good job. The real imposters are the ones who think they know everything already.”
“But I?—”
I pointed at his barely touched muffin. “Eat your comfort food and listen to your fairy godfather for a minute.”
That earned me a small laugh as he dipped it into the whipped cream before savoring a taste.
“You landed this role because you have something special to bring to it. True, they didn’t cast you for your extensive acting resume. They picked you because you understand what it means to perform, to connect with an audience. That’s something you can’t teach.”
“I guess.” He still looked uncertain, but some of the tension had left his shoulders.
“My point is, you’ve already learned how to take criticism as a musician and use it to get better. That’s half the battle right there. Acting is no different.” I watched as he straightened up, some of his usual confidence returning. “Besides, between you and me? I believe you’ll surprise everyone with how good you can be.”
“You think so?”
“Hon, I’ve been to your concerts. You don’t just sing songs. You tell stories by making people feelthings. That’s what acting is all about.” I winked at him. “Plus, you’re pretty easy on the eyes, which never hurts.”
He ducked his head, but not before I caught his pleased expression. “Thanks, Early. I needed this.”
“Anytime. And if anyone gives you shit, the best revenge is doing a great job.”
