Page 84 of Cast to be Mine

“Even then.”

We sat with that for a moment. The impossible choice between something that felt real and something I’d been chasing my entire life.

“I hate this,” I admitted.

“I know you do. But you’ve got what, a couple more weeks of shooting? Get through the movie first. Deliver the performance of a lifetime. And then, when you’re not his employee anymore, you figure out if this thing with Micah is real.”

“That’s basically what he said.”

“Smart man. I approve.” She paused. “For the record, I really hope it works out. You deserve someone who makes you feel safe. But right now, the best thing you can do for yourself is focus on the work.”

“Yeah.” I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “You’re right. Thank you, Becky. For being honest with me. I knew you would be the one to set me straight.”

“That’s what best friends are for. Now go be a movie star. And text me when you wrap. I want all the details.”

“Promise.”

I hung up and sat there in the silence of my trailer, trying to get my head around everything she said. She wasn’t wrong. None of what she said was wrong. This movie was my shot. My one real chance to prove I belonged.

I couldn’t blow it. Not for anyone.

Not even for Micah.

28

MICAH

The ocean was choppy. Nothing dangerous, just enough to keep everyone slightly off-balance and a little nauseated as we tried to capture the boat chase sequence. The production had rented three vessels—one for the main action, one for camera equipment, and one for support crew and craft services. We’d been out here since dawn, and the sun was now beating down with that relentless Hawaiian intensity.

Everything was going fine.

Technically.

The shots were coming together. Jack was actually hitting his marks. The stunt coordinator had the action choreographed down to the second. Even the weather cooperated, giving us that perfect combination of dramatic clouds and golden light.

But I couldn’t focus.

Grace stood at the bow of the main boat, getting her hair touched up between takes. She was in character as Elena—soaking wet, terrified, fighting for her life. The performance was flawless. Every take, she delivered exactly what I needed.

And she wouldn’t look at me.

Not once. Not a single glance in my direction that wasn’t strictly professional. When I gave her notes, she nodded, said “got it,” and turned away. When I called cut, she immediately retreated to wherever Patty was stationed, the two of them huddled together like they were plotting state secrets.

I understood. She was being a professional. She did exactly what we’d agreed to do, but it fucking sucked.

And I wasn’t an idiot. She was using her PA as a shield. I wasn’t sure why she thought I couldn’t keep up with the professional facade we’d been doing earlier.

It all went back to that stupid cliff scene. I overreacted and she was going to hold it against me.

God, I couldn’t wait for the shoot to be over. I’d been waiting for it to start and now I couldn’t wait for it to get over with.

“Micah?” Toby’s voice cut through my brooding. “We’re ready for the next setup.”

“Right. Yeah.” I pulled my attention back to the monitors, trying to remember what we were shooting next. The sequence where Elena jumps from one boat to another. Grace’s stunt double would handle the actual jump, but we needed coverage of Grace’s reactions.

“Let’s get Grace to her mark,” I called out.

She moved into position without acknowledging me. Patty hovered nearby with a water bottle and a parasol, shielding Grace from the sun during the set up. I watched them exchange a few words, Grace laughing at something Patty said.