This time, I made it through the first exchange but flubbed the next line about open mic night. Tennyson’s exasperated sigh made me want to disappear into the floor.
“Again. And try to remember you’re supposed to be attracted to him, not terrified.”
That was the worst part. Flirting was as easy as breathing to me. But with each failedtake, my confidence crumbled further. Duke’s presence felt like a spotlight on my inadequacy.
“You’re too stiff,” Tennyson barked after another botched attempt. “This is supposed to be natural chemistry, not a hostage situation.”
My cheeks burned. I’d never felt less natural in my life. Every movement was mechanical, each line forced. The effortless charm I usually wielded had abandoned me.
“Do you need cue cards?” Tennyson rubbed his temples. “Let’s try it again. And this time, act like you’ve talked to another human being before.”
Rook maintained his professional patience, but he was probably raging at having to work with such an amateur. I was wasting everyone’s time, proving every critic right who’d yelled about me being stunt casting.
“Action!”
I made it halfway through the scene before my voice cracked on a line I’d rehearsed dozens of times.
“Cut! What the hell was that?” Tennyson’s patience had run out. “Do you even want to be here?”
“I swear I do.” My voice sounded small and pathetic, humiliating me further.
“Then act like it! This is kindergarten-level stuff, and you’re performing as if you’ve never heard of acting before.”
Each word hit hard. I couldn’t bring myself to look at Duke, couldn’t bear to see the disappointment I knew would be there. The man I’d been trying toseduce was watching me fail spectacularly at being charming and flirtatious. I had never been so humiliated before.
“Tennyson.” Rook’s deep voice cut through my spiral of shame. “I think we could use a break. Give everyone a moment to reset.”
The director threw up his hands. “Fine. Fifteen minutes. Chance, get your shit together. This is embarrassing.”
Rook guided me away from prying eyes, his firm hand on my shoulder, steering me toward the back hallway. My stomach twisted, preparing for the lecture or chewing out I deserved for wasting everyone’s time. But when he turned to face me, his expression held none of the judgment I expected. Instead, it was sympathetic and kind.
He leaned against the wall to give me space. “The first time I acted in a movie, I threw up in a potted plant between takes.”
I blinked as I looked up at him. “What?”
“True story. The director kept yelling, ‘More intensity,’ and all I could think was, did he want me to die for real? I was so green I didn’t know stage left from stage right.” His blue eyes crinkled with amusement, making him feel far more approachable. “The plant didn’t survive.”
A surprised laugh escaped me. “Seriously?”
“And that’s not even the worst of it. During my first love scene, I was so nervous I accidentallyheadbutted my co-star. We had to ice her forehead between takes.”
“But you’reRook fucking Warrick.”
“Yeah, now. Back then, I was an unknown Midwestern kid who’d done a few commercials and thought that meant I knew what I was doing.” He crossed his arms, biceps straining against his henley. “Trust me, this romantic-comedy stuff? It’s kicking my ass, too. Action movies are easy. All you need to do is look like a constipated peanut and occasionally blow something up.”
I snorted. “A constipated peanut with explosions?”
“Exactly. Point, shoot, grimace,kaboom. But this?” He shook his head. “Having actual chemistry? Being vulnerable? That’s scarier than any stunt I’ve done.”
“Even after the scandal?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His expression tightened for a moment. “Especially after. Everyone’s watching to see if the action star can act now that he’s out. If I can’t pull off romance with another man after being forced out of the closet…” He exhaled heavily as he trailed off. “Let’s just say there’s a lot riding on this for both of us.”
“I hadn’t thought about it like that.” I studied him with a new understanding. “You’re worried about this, too?”
“Are you kidding? I wake up in cold sweats thinking about it.” His admission carried a weight ofhonesty that made me feel less alone. “But here’s the thing. We’re in this together, Chance. We’re both two fish out of water, trying to swim in a new pond.”
“Thanks for telling me.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I always assumed experienced actors had everything all figured out.”
