“Yes, but only for two scenes. It’s, like, a four-day shoot. Five max. The rest of the filming is scheduled for August and September.”
“Well, then it’s a moot point. Next week doesn’t work for me,” I say.
Hannah looks at me, aghast, then whispers, “Yes! It does!”
“Why doesn’t it work for you?” Casey demands.
“Because I’m on a trip with my friends. I already told you that,” I say, as Tyson pops his head into the doorway.
He’s clearly been eavesdropping on our entire conversation; he looks as appalled as Hannah.
“I’m sure your friends will understand once you explain.”
As Tyson and Hannah start nodding, I close my eyes and turn my back on them, feeling my stubborn streak kicking in. “I’m sorry, Casey. Next week is out of the question,” I say, determined not to let work—any work—interfere with our time together.
Casey groans and calls me impossible.
I apologize again but hold firm.
After a long pause, Casey says, “Okay, Lainey. If that’s your decision, that’s your decision. But as your agent, I have a duty to tell you that I think you’re making a huge mistake. And as your friend, I can tell you that you’re a complete idiot—”
“It won’t be the first time,” I say. “Or the last.”
Casey lets out a loud, weary sigh, then says, “When do you return from your trip? I can see if they can push it back a bit.”
“Not for another couple of weeks. We’re in Capri now—as you know—and then we’re headed to Paris. We don’t even have a return flight booked.”
She sighs. “Okay. But could you at least ask your friends how they’d feel about a few days in Buenos Aires instead of Paris? They could come with you.”
“Hell, yes!” Tyson says right out. “I’d love to go to Argentina!”
Casey hears him and says, “See?”
Tyson grabs the phone from me and says, “The answer is yes, Casey.”
She laughs. “Thank God! Someone there has some sense!”
“Yes. Someone does,” Tyson says, smiling. “I’ll give the phone back to Lainey now, but please know that her entourage will be sure she gets to Argentina.”
—
The second I hang up with Casey, Hannah and Tyson both pile onto me, hugging me as hard as they can. Hannah’s enthusiasm is on brand, but Tyson’s reaction is surprisingly effusive.
“Are you sure about this?” I say, looking at Hannah. “I feel bad about Paris.”
“Are you kidding me?” she replies. “Paris can wait.”
“But you’ve already been waiting so long,” I say.
“Exactly. So what’s a little longer? Besides, we’re going to Buenos Aires!” Hannah says.
“Vamos, Argentina!” Tyson belts out, pumping his fist in the air.
I smile, then say, “Maybe we can still go to Paris after Argentina?”
“Maybe,” Hannah says. “But I think I’d be pushing my luck with Jada if we did that.”
I nod, as Tyson and Hannah both stare at me, grinning.
“Holy hell, Lainey,” Tyson says. “This is incredible.”
“I know! You’re going to be a movie star!” Hannah says.
“Yeah, right,” I say, waving them both off. “You heard her. It’s a small indie film.”
“Still. It’s a movie,” Hannah says.
“Yeah. You got the lead role in a goddamn movie.” Tyson smiles and shakes his head like he can’t believe it.
He proceeds to walk out of the bathroom, and a second later, I hear him on the phone, calling down to Alessandro. He shares my news and asks for a bottle of champagne to be sent to the room. He then asks if we can possibly change our reservation to something less casual. More celebratory.
After a long pause, Tyson says, “Yes. That’s perfect. I appreciate you, man.”
I walk into the bedroom, look at him, and say, “Who are you and what did you do with Tyson?”
He shrugs, giving me an “aw shucks” look. “I can’t help it,” he says. “I’m so proud.”
“Of little ol’ me?”
