~Sabrina~
“We’re out of tampons,” my assistant, Melanie, says with a sigh. “Again.”
“There’s some in the office,” I reply as I open paper bags and line them up on the table. “Someone delivered a whole pallet of them this morning.”
“Thank God.” She hurries away to fetch the feminine hygiene products.
We’ve been filling bags full of tampons, pads, wipes, and encouraging notes all morning. We do this once a month and then deliver the goods to the area middle and high schools. Tomorrow, we’ll pack the same sacks full of healthy snacks and then make another delivery, this time including the elementary school.
Helping kids has become not just a passion for me over the past ten years but also an obsession.
I turn to start gathering more panty liners from a box when I see him walk into my storeroom. Tall. Broad. Disheveled blond hair. And more handsome than any one man has the right to be. A blast from my sordid, better-left-forgotten past. And yet, a sight for sore eyes.
“Are you lost?” I ask and watch a smile slide over his devastating face. How it’s even legal for a man to look like that, I have no idea.
“I found what I was looking for,” he says and pushes a hand into his pocket. His other hand, a gold wedding band glinting on his finger, holds a large envelope. “How are you, Sabrina?”
“I’m great, and curious as to what brings Luke Williams into my storeroom in Bend, Oregon.”
“I came to see you,” he answers. “You’re more beautiful than ever, my friend.”
I narrow my eyes at him. When we starred in a series of films together years ago, Luke and I got close. Since then, we’ve left the spotlight—him to work behind the camera as one of the most sought-after producers in LA., and I left Hollywood altogether.
And never looked back.
“As lovely as it is to see you, I don’t think you’re here just to catch up. Why are you here, Luke?”
He extends the envelope to me. “I have something I want you to read.”
I pull out a movie script. Without even reading the title, I pass it back.
“No, thanks.”
“I know I haven’t seen you in years.”
“Fifteen of them, give or take,” I agree, nod, and go back to filling paper bags. “If you’re going to try to talk me into something, you can at least help me here. These bags won’t fill themselves.”
“Happy to.”
Melanie returns with two big boxes of tampons and almost drops them when she sees Luke.
“Thanks, Mel. Can you give us a minute, please?”
“Is Luke Williams standing here, or am I having a throwback hallucination from my college days?”
I laugh as she sets the boxes on the table. “He’s here. You’re not hallucinating.”
“Okay. Have a good talk.” She smiles and waves awkwardly, tucks her hair behind her ear, and practically stumbles over her feet as she turns to walk away.
I roll my eyes.
Luke grins.
“You can put five tampons in each bag,” I instruct him. “Unless touching girl things weirds you out.”
“I live with a house full of women,” he replies, as smooth as silk, and starts divvying up the tampons. “Shawn O’Callaghan and Nora Perry co-wrote the script based on Nora’s bestselling book. The lead female character was made for you, Rina. When I read the book, I immediately thought so, but then I read this script, and no one else will do for it. It has you written all over it.”
“Luke, I don’t act anymore. I haven’t in a long time.”
“You’re one of the most talented people I know,” he interrupts, and I don’t know what to say. That’s high praise coming from Luke Williams. “The way things played out was bullshit, and you got hosed.”
I got more than that, but there’s no reason to go into that right now.
“I have a life here, out of the spotlight. And I like it very much.”
“I respect that,” he says with a nod and continues filling bags as if he does it every damn day. “Trust me, no one gets it more than me. But this role, this film, needs you. Just read the script. If you decide it’s horrible and you wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole, I’ll look elsewhere.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Why now?”
“It’s time.”
I never could tell this man no. We never had a physical relationship, despite what the tabloids said. But our friendship was strong, and I trusted him deeply.
Still do.
“I’m just asking you to read it before you shove it back in my face.”
“I didn’t shove it.” I sigh. “Okay. I’ll read it and let you know. Is it a horror?”
“Thriller,” he says. “And you’d play the lead FBI agent, hunting a killer. She’s badass.”
“I’m not in shape for that kind of role, Luke. I used to be, back when we were hunting vampires, but it’s been a long time, and I haven’t worked out—”
“We’ll take care of that,” he interrupts. “Just read it. If you’re in, come to Seattle, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Why do you have to be so charming?”
He flashes that smile that could light up all of Texas during a power outage.
“I’ll be expecting your call. Now, what do we do next?”
“You don’t have to stay and help.”
“If I do, I can ask how you are and catch up with you. I’ve missed you, Rina.”
Damn it. “I missed you, too.”
* * * *
It’s good. It’s really good.
I set the finished script on the coffee table and pad into my kitchen for another glass of tea.
I should text him and tell him that I’ve read it, and my answer’s still no.
But he isn’t wrong. I could picture myself in the role from the first page. The heroine’s tough and fearless. Completely badass. And has a vulnerable side, too.
I want to play this part so badly, my chest hurts.
Mel can take care of the kids’ program. She knows as much or more than I do. I have no family here. No pets.
I could be gone for the six months it’d take to get into shape and film.
“Damn you, Luke Williams.”
I was never going to do this again. I’m opening myself up to scrutiny and gossip. But acting is in my soul, and I’ve missed it so much.
I reach for my phone and dial Luke’s number.
“Hi, Sabrina,” he says. “What did you think?”
“You know I want this role, damn it.”
He chuckles in my ear. “I’m glad to hear it.”