The horrible and somewhat gross idea of using Sam aside, Amanda didn’t like to hear Dru disparaging other mediums that way, especially when this type of role was something she wanted. Dru was a difficult person, but there was a sensitive romantic deep inside. It was one of the first things they’d bonded over. Their mutual love of all things love. Amanda didn’t want her to pass the opportunity up just because it wasn’t a role that would put her in the running for her own Oscar.
Plus she was right about one thing: She had three years max left onAndromeda. Who knew what was in store for her down the road? A TV movie meant a paycheck and though Dru was biracial, she still read as Black. Being offered roles was a blessing in this industry, no matter how unfair and racist that truth was. Developing a relationship with the folks at Spright absolutely wouldn’t hurt. But Amanda kept that to herself.
“Do you want me to call your mom?” she asked. “You can cancel.”
“No. No. I want to do it. Anyway, it can be like ironic or whatever. Plus it’s silly to turn down the paycheck when I get it. Which I will. I might swing Sam Pleasant too.”
“I’ll be there to hold your veil,” Amanda said.
“You still going to your friend’s little wedding this weekend?” Dru asked as they joined the line of cars waiting to take Cahuenga back over the hill. Amanda fixed a little smile on her face and nodded.
“My flight leaves at one.” Which was sort of the truth. She was driving out to Charming at one the following afternoon. Another bit of information Dru didn’t need to know. She was under the impression that Amanda was going to the wedding of one of her college roommates in San Francisco. If she knew she was going to Helene’s wedding she would lose her mind. Or worse, demand to come along. Amanda prayed Sam Pleasant wasn’t going to be there.
“Well, have fun. You still have to show up first thing Monday morning. Don’t get too sauced. I can’t imagine what you’re like hungover. Though I know they’ll be no evidence of it. You’re like the only person I’ve ever met who refuses to be photographed. You’re such a freak.”
“You know I don’t drink and when you’re sober there’s no need for pictures. I’ll have the memories to forever live in my mind. Clear and untainted by the stain of tequila shots. I’ll be fresh and at your beck and call, like always.”
“Don’t act like you don’t love it. You were nothing before me,” Dru said before she laughed. Amanda knew she was only half joking. Amanda just smiled and forced her eyes back on the endless line of traffic in front of them.
“You’re going to run lines with me tonight?” Dru asked a few minutes later as they finally passed the Hollywood Bowl.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”
Amanda thought she heard Dru mutter a quiet thank-you, but she couldn’t be sure.
* * *
It was after nine when Amanda returned to her little studio bungalow. After she’d convinced Dru to eat some dinner, they ran lines for the Spright project, then Dru asked her to stay a little longer while she reorganized her shoes. Amanda didn’t mind.
Okay, to be honest, she did. It had been a long week and she still needed to pack for her weekend away, and she was hoping to get home so she could make a quick phone call to her parents before they went to bed. But Dru didn’t want her to leave. It happened every time her mother ditched her for long periods of time. This week, she was hanging out with some housewives at a former soap star’s mansion. With Dru filming the show and Amanda there to keep her company, Kaidence didn’t see a need to check in in-person. Dru didn’t like to be alone. Amanda understood, but she didn’t pay her enough for that kind of overtime.
She opened the front door to her place and turned on the lights. Just as she set down her things, she heard her phone chime. It was a text from her mom.
Night night, my hardworking girl.
We love you!
Amanda sighed and pushed down the sudden feelings of loneliness brewing inside of her. Her parents had all the faith in her when they loaded up their cars and helped her move out west. She knew things wouldn’t be easy. She knew she would have to put in her time, pay her dues, but she never thought this was where her journey would bring her. She thought about the screenplays gathering dust in Final Draft files on her personal laptop.
Looking at her phone, she considered calling her mom back, since she was still awake. She decided against it though. She didn’t need to cry and if she talked to her mom, just the sound of her voice would have her bursting into tears. There were kind people in LA but no one like her parents, and sometimes she needed to pretend there wasn’t a different, far away place where she felt truly at home and truly loved. Less alone. If she let the homesickness settle in, the regret and self-doubt would immediately follow. She settled on a text.
Good night, Mom!
I’ll call you tomorrow.
Hug Dad for me.
A moment later she received a text from her dad.
I feel the love.
She took her time getting ready for bed. Something she didn’t understand was nagging at her as she washed her face and brushed her teeth. Something beyond the loneliness. When she climbed under the covers and tried to get back to herSailor Moonrewatch, she couldn’t focus, even though she knew the dubbed dialogue by heart. Grabbing her phone off her charger, she flopped onto her back and found herself pulling up Sam’sGQinterview.
She knew better. No good would come from even thinking about him any further, but the idea of Dru trying to get with him made her stomach hurt. It didn’t matter if Sam took her up on her offer. For the first time ever she and Dru wanted the same thing. Something about that was so wrong.
She skimmed the article, trying not to look at the devastatingly beautiful picture of him walking a black horse down a trail as she looked for the declaration of his single status.
Pleasant is so gracious, letting me visit him on his family’s ranch. I understand the honor that has been bestowed upon me when his rather particular horse, Majesty, accepts a carrot from my open palm, but I know I would be making a terrible mistake if I don’t ask the twenty-eight-year-old what he’s looking for in a partner and if there’s a current partner helping to make those wishes come true.