"I don't mind it … much." If I was honest with myself, I liked being naked. There was nothing more freeing than being in such a bare state. I hadn't done it with an audience, though. That part could prove to be tricky.
"Then what's this but I hear?" Kells prompted, elevating one of her beautifully shaped brow.
They didn't have to guess really. The only but in this whole thing was the man I loved all my life.
"I don't know if River will approve. The dance video made him flip shits."
"This isn't about River, though, is it? Do you see him shy away from the opportunities presented to him because it might cause a rift between you guys?" Kells coarsely castigated. "He followed his guts, even if it meant losing you in the beginning. When are you going to stop playing safe and chase whatever it is you want? I know how your mind works, and you've considered not even auditioning because of what River's reaction will be. That pisses me the fuck off. Since when did you let a man rule you like that? I get that you love him, babe, I really do, but this is about you, not him. You're young and beautiful, and fucking crazy talented. It's time to show the world what you've got, Cara. It's now or never." My friend wasn't having it. Count on Kells to go full-on feminism on you when in doubt.
Now that she put it that way, I shouldn't feel guilty at all.
"Amen to that." Anton made a sweeping applause. "I agree with Kells. We all love River here, but sweetie, you have to follow where your path leads you, and right now … this Lombardo film will put you in a new map."
This was great and all, but still … The prospect of that confession almost made me break out in hives.
"Since we're sharing news, I have some of my own," Anton carried on in his speech. "I'm in talks for a television show about this new script I'm working on. Nothing's a done deal yet, but wish me luck, you guys."
My heart warmed at the sight of Anton beaming with absolute pride. "Gosh, that's amazing news!" I exclaimed before getting up, rounding the table, and hugging the other man in my life.
"I hope this is the big break you're looking for, too, Anton. You deserve it, babe!" Kells threw him a hug on top of mine. It was like a hug orgy and one we welcomed with fervor.
He was glowing, grinning with satisfaction as he murmured how much sleep he'd been losing, pondering how this negotiation would go.
He'd been working on his novels and scripts for a few years, but it never came to fruition. His novels, several of them, were left unfinished. Same went for his scripts. It seemed this would be the great push he needed to boost his ego and pride to finish the project up.
After lunch, the three of us broke apart since Kells had a date with Phoenix and Anton was occupied with his script. I was left to my own devices.
Kyle, though he was back in town, we hadn't had time to fully catch up with each other. Though last time we spoke, he mentioned meeting someone. I hoped, with all my heart, that he would find someone to make him happy. He had too good of a heart not to be loved the way he was supposed to be.
On my way home, I received a call from River. He was in Miami with Ari and Willa, still on the road to do as much promotion as his label demanded of him.
I meant to tell him that I was auditioning for this new role come Tuesday morning, but River was too intense and too busy to even breathe air. He was beyond anxious, going over every single detail from the packaging to the photo shoot they had to do. Therefore, I figured it was best to tell him if I did manage to snag the job, not wanting to fight when it would all be for naught.
In two days' time, I would definitely know where my fate rested.
//
"You got it!" Addison screamed into the phone as I caught my breath before I bounced on my bed with complete euphoria, dressed in my little red slip.
I had auditioned this morning. Normally they waited a day or two, sometimes even a week to make a decision, but here it was, hours later, and God help me, I felt like I was about to combust from euphoria. I began to hop on my bed, jumping like a kid on their birthday.
"Oh, my God, I can't believe it! I'm going to be in a film!" Saying it out loud made me feel rattled. This was my first, so it was a huge deal of me. "OH, MY GOD, what if I suck? What if it fails … ?" And just as quickly as my excitement flourished, doubts began to cloud and cripple me.
"You're going to be fine. Lombardo wouldn't have casted you if he didn't see your potential. I heard he's a fan of Clover so he knows your acting range. You're extremely talented, and I'm proud of you, Cara, I really am. So, cast your doubts aside, savor this new project, and tomorrow, I'll have more information about the cast, pay negotiations, and location."