Page 76 of The Star in Room 7

“I’m not saying don’t come out. I’m just asking you to wait. Now, when can you get here so we can get this contract signed?”

My stomach churns. I stare out the lounge windows, at the golf course and the city beyond it.

“Zach?” Melanie sing-songs.

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know? This is your big break. A six-figure contract, box office bonuses, and the option to make two more movies if this one does well—which it will. This is the moment your career takes off.”

“I know… And I want this role. But I can’t take it at the expense of my happiness.”

“That’s a bit dramatic, isn’t it? I’m asking you to wait, not stay in the closet forever.”

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “It could be… What? Three years before this movie comes out?”

“It’s going to be CGI-heavy, so it could be longer. Five years, max.”

“I can’t hide my relationship for five years.”

“Zach—”

“Melanie,” I interrupt sternly enough to make her stop talking. “You’re my agent. You work for me. Call the studio. Tell them I will sign, but that I am going to live my life authentically. That I have a boyfriend and that I’m not going to pretend I don’t.”

She’s quiet for some time. Eventually, she sighs and says, “And if they decide to hire someone else on their shortlist instead?”

“Then this wasn’t the movie for me. Please, Melanie. I want to be honest with the studio. I want to do this the right way.”

“All right. Just hope they’ve fallen in love with your cute face.” She hangs up, leaving me with no option but to wait, stomach fluttering.

I wish Nate were here. I check my phone, but I don’t have any messages from him. I stand and pace in front of the huge windows. I love Nate’s apartment, but right now it feels like a prison. I don’t think it would matter where I was. Here. Halo House. The beach. A running trail. Waiting is torture. Melanie might not even get back to me today. Or this week.

I about jump out of my skin when my phone rings and Melanie’s name flashes up. I answer.

“We’re joining a conference call,” she says. “Best behavior.”

“A conference—” I don’t have time to finish before there’s a beep and the sound quality changes, letting me know someone else has joined the call.

“Bruce, I’ve got Zach on the line.”

“Zach! I’ve got to say, we’re all very impressed with you here, and we’re looking forward to working with you, but Melanie tells me you’ve got a few concerns before you sign the contract.”

“Not concerns, exactly, sir.”

“No need to be so formal, son.”

“Uh, sorry.”

“Love the accent, by the way. We’ll be keeping that for the movie.”

I already knew that, as they asked me to use my own accent for the screen tests.

“So… Why aren’t you signing on the dotted line?”

“I’m gay, sir.”

“All right…?”

“It’s not something I’ve let anyone know, but I want to hold my boyfriend’s hand in public. I don’t want to hide.” I take a deep breath. “So I’m going to come out.” To hell with asking for permission. This is happening, no matter what.