CHAPTER SIX

 

 

Sidney was absolutely right. I had reviewed another dozen production company requests for assistance with casting their projects here in Vegas. Three weeks since we established the West Coast arm of the Peterson Talent Agency and we had more to keep us busy than we ever imagined. Thankfully.

I scrolled through the requests – a major sequel to an insanely popular franchise movie; two episodes of a cable network show; a Chinese movie and an episodic (that was interesting); and several pilots for new shows. Cool. Mostly independents or foreign projects.

Wait, this sounded intriguing – major motion picture looking for a male actor for a month-long shoot. Supporting role. Character description – tall, attractive, and fit. Open to ethnicity and race. Oh, do I have the perfect guy for you.

Picking up my phone (I know, I know, who has a landline in this day and age…), I dialed Alex’s number, which I had to look up. No, I did not know it by heart. Yet.

Good grief.

“Catherine, is that you?”

I heard Alex’s voice and realized that he had answered while I was talking to myself like a dang schoolgirl. Focusing on his voice, I was all business.

“Yes, Alex, it’s Catherine. I was calling to see if you would be available for an audition tomorrow. It’s for a supporting role on a major motion picture.”

“I’m available. Can you text me the address and any specific character information I’d need for the audition? Are there any sides?”

For those new to the entertainment biz, ‘sides’ were sections of dialogue sometimes provided by casting directors for actors to memorize in advance of auditions. It helped the casting folks get a better sense of acting ability; instead of assessing someone’s ability to cold read (or audition with dialogue they’ve never seen before). But, I digressed.

“No sides, though they’ve said to expect that they’ll likely do callbacks. Unless someone is perfect for the role, of course. I’ll text you the information as soon as we hang up.”

“That sounds great. Catherine?”

I had thought I’d escape the call with solely the professional talk. It appeared that was not meant to be. “Yes?” I responded, with only the slightest bit of trepidation.

“How have you been?”

“Uh, good,” I stammered.

“That’s good,” he responded, and I reflexively laughed at the awkwardness.

He laughed in response. “God, that’s awkward,” he commented, as though reading my mind. Or it was truly that awkward. “I’ll let you know how the audition goes. Although I guess they’d tell you,” he trailed off.

I laughed again. “Yes, they will, if they like you. If you wanted to call to tell me how you thought it went, that would be okay, too.” Did I just tell an actor to call to tell me how an audition went? What was I smoking?

“Okay.” His voice sounded huskier, or maybe that was wishful thinking.

“Okay, talk to you soon.”

I hung up before I could say or do anything else borderline unprofessional. Seriously. I’d been doing this a long time and met a lot of hot guys. I stared at the black retro-style phone for a moment, picking it up and setting it down several times. I moved it back to the corner of my desk, my mind wandering.

What was up with my response to Alex?

 

*****

“Um, Catherine?”

I glanced at Cherie, hovering in the doorway to my office. “Yes?” My focus remained on arranging auditions for more roles. It had been a crazy busy day.

“Um, Catherine…Mr. Moore is here. In the waiting room. Right now.”

The intensity more than the words caught my ear. I gave her my full undivided attention.

“Who is here, Cherie?”

“Mr. Moore.”

She tried to give the side eye to indicate his presence behind her.

Saving her from her facial gymnastics, I responded. “Send him back, thank you.” I was impressed with myself that my voice did not change inflection. Though my heart was certainly racing.

I made a mental note of where I was in my pile. Alex replaced Cherie in the doorway. He leaned against the frame, a slight smile on his lips. A green t-shirt stretched tight across his broad shoulders. Low slung jeans fit exactly the way they should. No man needed to look this good. I sighed and sat up straighter.

“Alex. What can I do for you?” I gave him my most professional smile and he entered the room, closing the door behind him. He somehow managed to do that without breaking eye contact and my insides noticed.

“I was in the neighborhood, and thought I’d stop by to tell you how the audition went.” He walked over to my desk, taking a seat in the chair opposite.

“Oh. I figured you would call,” I responded lamely.

“Now what fun would that be?” He smiled mischievously.

“No fun at all,” I found myself flirting back.

“I’m glad you agree.”

“How did it go?” I asked him, to get us back on a professional track.

“It was great. They told me unless someone came in after me that blew them away, I’d be cast. And, since I was toward the end of the audition time, I doubt anybody did.” He smiled with that sexy yet aggravating self-confidence. “Have they called you yet?” he asked with an innocent look.

“You already know they called me, don’t you?”

My blatantly calling him out surprised him, but he recovered so quickly, I wasn’t sure I didn’t imagine it. “I do.”

“How do you know they already called?”

“I have my ways.” A deflecting answer, though true. He shrugged, signaling this part of the conversation was over. Fine, let him have his little display of power.

I smiled sweetly. “Then, I guess our conversation is concluded. They’ll call me with details for the first day of filming. Thanks for stopping by.” Heart still racing, I pointedly looked down at the paperwork I had been shuffling when he arrived. Two can play this juvenile game.

To my surprise, Alex chuckled softly. “I guess so. Until next time, Catherine.” I heard his chair move when he stood. I snuck a peek to watch him walk to the door, admiring the shape of his rear again. At the doorway, he stopped and turned, catching my lustful staring.

His smile broadened. He said nothing about my faux pas. “It was lovely as always to see you, Catherine.”

My face flushed with embarrassment. “You, too, Alex. Have a wonderful evening. We’ll be in touch soon with the production details.”

“I hope so.”