Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
The story felt different to me now. I felt like I understood something I hadn’t when I’d read it the first time. Then, I’d pictured myself playing the role as if I was watching the film on a screen—I was on the outside of my performance. Now, I felt the character take root deep within my body. In my mind. My heart. My gut. I made up memories for him. People he’d left behind. Things he’d said. Dreams he’d had.
The following morning, I did my best to shake off the restless night and channel some good energy by taking a long run, lifting some weights, meditating, and even walking around my house naked for a while. But being naked reminded me of Ari, and my energy felt as cloudy as the sky, which was completely overcast.
Relax, I told myself. You already have the role.
But I still wanted to prove I was worthy of it. That I had the emotional depth necessary to make the story come alive. To make people feel.
A few minutes before four, I rang the doorbell of the house at 52 Beverly Park Terrace. It was a huge home in an exclusive neighborhood on a gated street, and as I stood on the doorstep I felt out of place—like I should be there delivering a pizza instead.
I heard Ari’s voice in my head. Never doubt yourself.
The door opened, and a woman who was not Katherine Carroll—she was a lot younger, maybe in her twenties—appeared. “Hello!” She smiled brightly. “You must be Dash.”
“Yes.”
“I recognize you from Malibu Splash! Although you’re wearing a lot more clothing.” She gestured to my dark jeans and button-up shirt.
I laughed politely. “I thought it might be best to show up in something other than a bathing suit.”
“I hope you brought it,” she said with a wink. Then she held out her hand. “By the way, I’m Olivia, Katherine’s assistant. Thanks so much for coming.”
“Of course.” I shook her hand and stepped into the two-story entry. “I couldn’t believe it when I got the message. This is such a thrill.”
She laughed. “Well, I’m sure you’re used to this kind of thing.”
“Not really.”
“Follow me,” she said, walking down a hallway on the right. “The girls are out in the back, but we don’t want them to see you yet. It’s so cloudy and chilly today, isn’t it? Not the best day for a pool party, but not much we can do about the weather. You can change in here.” She opened up a door to a powder room.
Girls? Pool party? Something wasn’t right.
“Sorry,” I said. “I’m a little confused. What am I changing into?”
“Your costume,” she said, like I should have known.
“What costume? Something for All We’ve Lost?”
“All We’ve Lost?” She shook her head. “What do you mean?”
The walls of the hallway pressed closer. “I think there might be some, uh, confusion about what I’m doing here today,” I said slowly.
“You’re here because you were hired to play Bulge at a Malibu Splash themed birthday party.” Her head fell to one side. “Is that not what you were told?”
“Birthday party?” I almost put a hand on the wall to steady myself.
“Yes. For Katherine’s niece, Pinky. She’s turning thirteen today, and she’s a huge fan of yours, so I contacted your agency to see if you were available to ‘play lifeguard’ at the party.” She put air quotes around the word. “It was Pinky’s one big request.”
“Oh my God.” I closed my eyes. Inhaled and exhaled.
“Is everything okay? You can still do it, right?” Her voice was worried. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes. Something is wrong.” I opened my eyes. “I was under the impression that today was a meeting related to being cast as Johnny in All We’ve Lost.”
“Oh.” She blinked. “Wow, something really got lost in translation there.”
“It really did.” I wanted to die. Not only did I not get the role of my dreams, I was a fucking birthday party clown.
“I’m so sorry. I did talk to several different people at the agency, but I thought I was clear about what the job was. Oh, dear.” She glanced toward the back of the house and looked at me again, her eyes tearing up. “Katherine will be so upset with me if I messed this up. Her niece is so important to her.”
“It’s okay. I can do it. I just—thought this was something else.”
“Thank you!” Olivia threw her arms around me. “Thank you so much! The girls are just going to be so happy. And so will Katherine.”
“Is she here?”
“Not yet. But she will be.” Olivia checked her phone. “Okay, it’s just about time. Do you have your suit?”
“I’m afraid I don’t.”
“Oh shoot!”
Olivia looked so distraught, I held up a hand. “You know what? I have some clean red shorts in my gym bag that look kind of like the suits Bulge wore. I can put them on.”