Dru glanced over as they slowed to a stop at the next red light. She scoffed, then looked back toward the road. “I don’t know why I’m asking you. When was the last time you went on a date?”
“Well, it’s tricky to date when you’re trying to keep up with the hottest actress in a paranormal prime-time TV show.”
“Whatever, don’t blame me. Mom made me give you weekends off. Surely there’s some single personal assistants’ meetup you could go to. Or like a janitor or something that’s looking for a low-rent sugar baby.”
“I’m not sure which part of that to find more offensive and just wrong, but what if I get lucky and leave you? How will you go on without me?”
“You won’t. You’ll be with me forever and then you’ll watch my children. The children I have with Sam Pleasant.”
Amanda’s eye nearly twitched. “Did you really DM him?”
“Sure did,” Dru said, the bravado back in her voice. “This show has two more seasons before it goes stale. I need to be ready to upgrade and what better way to upgrade than on the arm of someone like Sam Pleasant? Just not sure I can do that if I downgrade to TV movies.”
The horrible and somewhat gross idea of using Sam aside, Amanda didn’t like to hear Dru disparaging other mediums that way, especially when this type of role was something she wanted. Dru was a difficult person, but there was a sensitive romantic deep inside. It was one of the first things they’d bonded over. Their mutual love of all things love. Amanda didn’t want her to pass the opportunity up just because it wasn’t a role that would put her in the running for her own Oscar.
Plus she was right about one thing: She had three years max left on Andromeda. Who knew what was in store for her down the road? A TV movie meant a paycheck and though Dru was biracial, she still read as Black. Being offered roles was a blessing in this industry, no matter how unfair and racist that truth was. Developing a relationship with the folks at Spright absolutely wouldn’t hurt. But Amanda kept that to herself.
“Do you want me to call your mom?” she asked. “You can cancel.”
“No. No. I want to do it. Anyway, it can be like ironic or whatever. Plus it’s silly to turn down the paycheck when I get it. Which I will. I might swing Sam Pleasant too.”
“I’ll be there to hold your veil,” Amanda said.
“You still going to your friend’s little wedding this weekend?” Dru asked as they joined the line of cars waiting to take Cahuenga back over the hill. Amanda fixed a little smile on her face and nodded.
“My flight leaves at one.” Which was sort of the truth. She was driving out to Charming at one the following afternoon. Another bit of information Dru didn’t need to know. She was under the impression that Amanda was going to the wedding of one of her college roommates in San Francisco. If she knew she was going to Helene’s wedding she would lose her mind. Or worse, demand to come along. Amanda prayed Sam Pleasant wasn’t going to be there.
“Well, have fun. You still have to show up first thing Monday morning. Don’t get too sauced. I can’t imagine what you’re like hungover. Though I know they’ll be no evidence of it. You’re like the only person I’ve ever met who refuses to be photographed. You’re such a freak.”
“You know I don’t drink and when you’re sober there’s no need for pictures. I’ll have the memories to forever live in my mind. Clear and untainted by the stain of tequila shots. I’ll be fresh and at your beck and call, like always.”
“Don’t act like you don’t love it. You were nothing before me,” Dru said before she laughed. Amanda knew she was only half joking. Amanda just smiled and forced her eyes back on the endless line of traffic in front of them.
“You’re going to run lines with me tonight?” Dru asked a few minutes later as they finally passed the Hollywood Bowl.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”
Amanda thought she heard Dru mutter a quiet thank-you, but she couldn’t be sure.
* * *
It was after nine when Amanda returned to her little studio bungalow. After she’d convinced Dru to eat some dinner, they ran lines for the Spright project, then Dru asked her to stay a little longer while she reorganized her shoes. Amanda didn’t mind.
Okay, to be honest, she did. It had been a long week and she still needed to pack for her weekend away, and she was hoping to get home so she could make a quick phone call to her parents before they went to bed. But Dru didn’t want her to leave. It happened every time her mother ditched her for long periods of time. This week, she was hanging out with some housewives at a former soap star’s mansion. With Dru filming the show and Amanda there to keep her company, Kaidence didn’t see a need to check in in-person. Dru didn’t like to be alone. Amanda understood, but she didn’t pay her enough for that kind of overtime.
She opened the front door to her place and turned on the lights. Just as she set down her things, she heard her phone chime. It was a text from her mom.
Night night, my hardworking girl.
We love you!
Amanda sighed and pushed down the sudden feelings of loneliness brewing inside of her. Her parents had all the faith in her when they loaded up their cars and helped her move out west. She knew things wouldn’t be easy. She knew she would have to put in her time, pay her dues, but she never thought this was where her journey would bring her. She thought about the screenplays gathering dust in Final Draft files on her personal laptop.
Looking
