Page 41

Zara paced her living room, her mind racing as she awaited Tess's arrival. Was she about to get dumped? Maybe. Should she end it first and win the breakup? Maybe.

She glanced at the clock, wishing the minutes would speed up. She didn’t like to wait for what was probably bad news.

When the doorbell rang, Zara took a moment to set her mood to calm, cool, collected. It didn’t really work. She opened the door to find Tess standing there, looking determined. And, as ever, so effortlessly sexy.

Zara had been planning to greet Tess with a casual, if slightly cold, ‘Hello.’ But then she wondered if a ‘Hey’ was better. So what ended up coming out was, ‘Hey-lo.’

For fuck’s sake.

‘Thanks for coming over,’ Zara continued, trying to emulate a normal person talking. She motioned for Tess to come in.

Tess gave Zara a small nervous smile that Zara interpreted as either, ‘I’m hoping for forgiveness,’ or, ‘Dumping you is going to be tough, but I’ll get through it.’

Tess walked into the living room and stood in its centre.

‘You can sit,’ Zara told her.

Tess sat immediately, like a well-behaved dog.

‘Look, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for how I acted earlier,’ Tess began. ‘I didn’t mean to lash out at you. I was frustrated and… I took it out on you, and you didn’t deserve that.’

Zara felt her tension ease. She wasn’t getting the boot. She was incredibly relieved, despite how angry she still was. But the idea that it could be over after everything… Zara knew she didn’t want that.

‘It’s a tough situation,’ she said neutrally, joining Tess on the couch.

‘It wasn’t OK,’ Tess insisted. ‘The truth is, I was feeling embarrassed, and it came out… the way it came out.’

‘Why would you be embarrassed?’ Zara asked, stunned.

‘You were there. I got told off for being a rubbish business owner.’

‘I think you’ll find that you weren’t the only one that got a dressing down in that meeting,’ Zara pointed out.

Tess frowned. ‘What?’

‘You didn’t notice? He blamed me as much as you for advising you poorly.’

Tess shook her head. ‘I don’t think that’s what he meant.’

‘It is. He didn’t like me taking your side, and he wanted to put me in my place. Which he did quite successfully.’

Tess blinked, amazed. ‘I didn’t notice that.’

‘You were in your head,’ Zara noted. ‘So much so that I don’t think you noticed me saving Jerry’s job as well,’ she couldn’t help but add.

‘Yeah, no, I did notice that. Which makes me an extra twat,’ Tess said instantly.

‘Yes,’ Zara agreed. But she didn’t want to draw out Tess’s contrition. Zara had forgiven her already. It was not hard to do that, Zara was discovering.

Tess just had to give her those big dark eyes and Zara would have given her anything she asked.

‘I’m sorry,’ Tess repeated.

‘OK. Apology accepted,’ Zara said.

‘Is it?’ Tess asked uncertainly.

‘Of course,’ Zara said.

‘Oh. I thought that was going to be a lot harder,’ Tess admitted.

‘Why would it be? You said sorry,’ Zara said.

‘Not everyone thinks that’s enough. Some people want to see you kiss the ring.’

‘I don’t need you to kiss my ring,’ Zara said sincerely. And then she added, ‘Somehow, that came out sounding more sexual than I mean it too.’

Tess laughed. Zara laughed. Things felt OK again.

But heavy things were still pressing, and the moment couldn’t last. ‘Look, I don’t like to attach my apology to talking about that shit show, but…’ Tess began.

‘No, it’s OK. Let’s talk it through,’ Zara said.

Tess’s frustration bubbled up quickly. ‘We met our targets, and now they’re suddenly changing everything. Is that usual?’

‘I’ve seen it before. But I knew more about that situation, and it made sense. I wasn’t privy to this change,’ Zara admitted, embarrassed.

‘It’s ridiculous!’ Tess shot back, her voice rising with emotion. ‘We’ve worked our arses off to keep this place afloat, and it’s like they’re just waiting for us to fail so they can swoop in and take over.’

Zara wanted to agree with Tess, to express her frustration at the situation, but something held her back. ‘I get it, but… I don’t know, Tess. There might be more going on behind the scenes that we’re not aware of.’

Tess frowned, her brow furrowing. ‘What do you mean? You think they’re trying to fuck us?’

‘I didn’t mean that,’ Zara said quickly, trying to choose her words carefully. ‘I just think they’re reacting to something in the market. Maybe their investors are pushing them for better returns, and we’re caught in the crossfire.’

Tess slumped back on the couch. ‘So we’re just supposed to let them pull the rug out from under us? No explanation?’

‘No, of course not,’ Zara assured her. ‘But we have to understand what we’re up against. Maybe there’s a way to approach them, to get clarity on why they’re changing things so drastically.’

Tess shook her head, the weariness settling back into her posture. ‘If I have to see that man’s face again, I feel like I’ll punch it.’

‘Maybe I’ll handle that then,’ Zara said dryly.

‘Some of the stuff they said in that meeting… What do they think I can do? Do they want the lowest common denominator shit? Because if that’s what he wants, what am I even doing anymore?’ Tess asked, pained.

Zara nodded, her heart aching at the sadness in Tess’s voice. ‘Don’t think like that. We can figure out a way to meet them and not lose the soul of the place.’

‘Maybe you’re right. But it’s just so frustrating…’ Tess sighed. ‘I just wish I hadn’t taken it out on you.’

Zara was touched by the lingering concern. ‘You don’t have to keep lashing yourself over it.’

Tess seemed to be examining her carefully. ‘So, we’re OK?’

‘Yes,’ Zara said, smiling at her.

‘OK,’ Tess said shakily. ‘Thank you.’

It was only then that Zara realised she wasn’t the only one to think she was going to be dumped. Tess was just as worried about it. Zara found that incredibly reassuring. Tess didn’t want to lose her any more than Zara didn’t want to lose Tess.

But that still didn’t mean Zara should say the thing sitting in her mouth. It wasn’t time for that yet. Zara wasn’t counting on it ever being that time.

Thinking about who Tess was, so predictable in so many wonderful ways, so plain speaking, so honest, Zara wondered—for the briefest and maddest of moments—if she should just say it and let Tess feel the way she was going to feel about it.

But she couldn’t do it. Because if Zara said it and Tess didn’t love her back, this would end quickly. Zara didn’t want that. She wanted this to go on for as long as it could, even with heartbreak in her future. She’d never liked a person as much as she liked Tess. But she had no control over how Tess felt.

But what could she control?

‘I’ve got an idea,’ Zara said.

‘Already?’ Tess said and then she shook her head. ‘I don’t know why I’m surprised. You’re an idea machine.’

Zara tried not to be too pleased at the compliment. Tess hadn’t heard the idea yet. ‘Look, just be open to this…’

‘To…?’

‘I think we need to do a bit more to put the place on the map,’ Zara began.

‘OK.’

‘How about a premiere?’ Zara asked.

‘Of what?’ Tess asked, looking genuinely confused.

‘A new release of a big indie movie. We make a big deal of it. Red carpet, fancy party, the whole thing.’

‘That sounds like it would cost me money,’ Tess pointed out.

‘But you’d make it back. And more,’ Zara said, excited. ‘Think about it. We go all out—get the local press involved, invite influencers, make it trend even. A proper event, like the kind you’d see in the city but right here. It could change the way people see the cinema.’

Tess raised an eyebrow. ‘It sounds like a gamble.’

‘It is,’ Zara admitted. ‘But it’s a calculated one. We pick the right film—something with buzz, something people are dying to see first. If we can show that we can pull off something like this, who knows what other opportunities could come our way?’

Tess leaned back against the couch, considering the idea. ‘It’s not a bad plan. But how do we even get a film to premiere here? Why would anyone choose us?’

Zara had been expecting this question. ‘Because we’re not just selling a screening. We’re selling something unique. We’re independent and small. You’d be surprised how much that could appeal to some filmmakers.’

Tess hesitated. ‘You think they’d go for it?’

‘I do,’ Zara said confidently. ‘Especially if we can get a name on board—someone with a following. And if we can make this premiere a success, we can build on that momentum. Maybe it becomes a regular thing, or it opens up doors for other special events. Either way, it’s a way to take control of the narrative, to show that The Eclipse is relevant. Essential, even.’

Tess nodded slowly, a hint of hope creeping into her eyes. ‘It’s an interesting idea.’

Zara grinned and slapped her hands together. ‘I’ll put together a plan.’

Tess smiled a little hesitantly. ‘I still think it’s kind of a long shot.’

Zara returned the smile, feeling a surge of warmth. ‘I won’t let you down, Tess.’

Tess looked at her like she’d said something crazy. ‘You never have,’ she shrugged.

Zara felt that urge again. Should she…

No. Not yet. Too risky.

Instead, she reached out and took Tess’s hand, squeezing it. Tess squeezed back.

‘We can do this,’ Zara said.

‘You can do anything,’ Tess said easily.

Zara liked the way Tess looked at her when she said that. Like she was capable. Zara wanted to be that for her. She realised she wanted to rescue her. If she could do that, demonstrate her worth, maybe Tess might fall for her, too.

Was that crazy?