Page 28 of Take 2

Chapter Twenty-Five

Five Years Ago

M y hands hit a headboard when I stretch. It isn’t upholstered. So, it isn’t mine.

Oh. Fuck.

I squeeze my eyes shut tighter, but falling asleep again would not help me wake up in the right place. Falling asleep was the part I was not supposed to do. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. Okay. This is fine. Even breaths and light snoring are still coming from next to me. I’m about to be that girl.

My movements are slow and careful. No jostling the bed. No noise. I slip out from under the comforter and pad into the bathroom, swiping my dress and underwear off the floor on my way. The door clicks shut, and I freeze to listen for any sounds on the other side.

Brilliant, Mira. Seriously.

I slip on the floral dress and stuff my panties in the pocket. Those are not wearable right now. I swipe a tissue under my eyes and twist a scrunchie to hold up my swishy little ponytail, and I am ready for the walk of shame.

Are my sunglasses in my purse? That would really complete the look.

If my shoes and purse aren’t by the door, I am fucked.

I do not possess the stealth to search this place without waking Nick up.

Not that I’ve ever tried, but we also don’t hang out much in the mornings.

He probably won’t be offended by my escape.

Maybe he’ll even be relieved to have gotten the fun part of last night without the mildly awkward morning.

Or not. He’s propped up on an elbow, phone in hand, when I come out. “Good morning,” he says without looking up.

“Good morning.” I try to keep the please kill me tone out of my voice, but I don’t know if it’s successful.

He looks up, and his lips purse. “Are you trying to sneak out on me?”

Obviously. “I told you I couldn’t spend the night.”

“It’s not like you’re going to the Oscars.”

A thin go fuck yourself smile stretches my lips. “Well, neither are you.” I find my sandals by the foot of the bed.

“I didn’t mean it as an insult.”

“Well, Lisa’s party starts at three.” And getting myself and James ready on time will be an all-day event. “Gotta get ready.”

“I’m still not a fan of James getting to be the one who goes with you.”

“James is always my plus one. Especially for the Oscars.” The only people who could trump him still call me Bella.

“All right. Have fun then.”

“Will do.” I blow him a kiss and turn to leave. That’s shitty of me, but it’s Oscars day. I cannot kiss him on Oscars day. I didn’t even want to see him today. How did I let this happen?

I loop my arm through the straps of my purse on my way out and get into my hybrid. My forehead thunks onto the steering wheel. So stupid.

When I enter the apartment, the smell of coffee greets me. Then James does. “We’re bringing sexy back to Oscars day, apparently.”

“Nope.” I throw my purse on the couch and climb onto a stool at the counter. “It was the day before.”

“Like pre-gaming?” James grabs a K-Cup and the mug he gifted me for Christmas.

“Not that one!”

“Too late!” The mug with illustrated dicks of varying sizes and shapes surrounding the nickname Mir-ly Tired is put in position, and coffee pours into it. “Consider this my way of putting sex vibes into the universe for you.” As if the dick mug he gifted me makes me think sexy thoughts.

“There is zero possibility of me having sex tonight. I couldn’t even kiss Nick goodbye because today is the Oscars.” No need to remind James it is the anniversary of everything with Ryan.

“I mean, on the topic of Nick, who cares?”

“He’s fine.”

James adds my sugar and creamer for me. “Yeah, but we’re almost done with him, right?”

“Probably.” I accept my dick mug. “We might need a new rule. No dating actors.”

“I am deeply offended.”

“I’m not saying no one should date actors. I’m saying you and I should not date actors. There are plenty of hot non-actors around here who would love to get in your pants.”

“Okay, fair. Back to the dark shadow you cast on this, the most glorious of days for my people.”

I stare him down past the dick mug. “I am a fucking delight for Pride.”

“My acting people, not my gay people.”

I arch an eyebrow.

“There’s an overlap, I know. Anyway, I can live with you not getting laid tonight.”

“Your strength never fails to amaze me.”

“But can we reintroduce champagne?”

I sigh. “I guess so. You and Lisa will be bubbly anyway, so I suppose it’s time.”

“The Oscars can’t be about your ex-husband for the rest of your life.”

“This party will be a big step for me. The last time I attended an Oscars party, I got engaged at it.”

“I wish I had known you earlier to correct all this terrible timing. You’ve been alive for twenty-five Academy Awards. How many was he with you for?”

“Five. But I don’t remember all the other twenty.”

“Doesn’t matter. The point is, five years can’t ruin the whole institution for you. Especially since you’re totally going to attend it many times.”

“I agree; hence, going to a party and champagne can come back.” Caffeine works its way through me, and I sigh. “At least I’m having sex again, even if not today. Baby steps.”

“You’re having sex again because I am an amazing wingman.”

“Perhaps. Your timing could improve, though.” Because, seriously, I did not need to break my dry streak at Morgan’s wedding. I blame Florida. Florida makes people do stupid things. As made evident by literally any headline including the word “Florida.”

“Carpe diem, Mira. The door was open.”

“So you shoved me through it.”

“You’re welcome.”

Not like it was bad—awkward after so much time. But it was kind of something I had to just do to get it over with.

“The party starts at two.” I lean over the counter to set the mug in the sink.

“And we’re leaving at one-fifteen. I remember.”

I’ve repeated the lie multiple times a day for the last three weeks, so he should.

We leave at two, as I predicted.

“We’re actually on time, right?” James asks from my passenger seat. “I assume you were lying to me about the schedule.”

“We are barely on time. I’m going to have to shift my lies to being even earlier.”

He pats my hand where I’ve got a death grip on the steering wheel. “You find it endearing.”

“I’m going to need to live in the same building as you forever if you’re ever going to get anywhere you need to be.”

“Mira! We both have our blacklist topics. This is mine.”

“First of all, you totally bring up my blacklist topic. Secondly, you’re still stuck with me. Maybe I’ll even leave the dick mug at your place for when I visit.”

“If you leave that, I will mail it to your parents.”

“I’m so glad we’re friends because we would be vicious enemies.”

“I’d make you cry,” he says.

“But that would make you want to cuddle me, so I guess our friendship is just inevitable.”

Lisa’s Oscars party is everything I ever wanted mine to be. More so, even. Because I’d never have thought to have caterers. We’ve got flutes in our hands before we’re five steps in, but there’s also a staffed bar. Stations of appetizers are scattered throughout the open space.

“I should have worn a floor-length gown.”

James taps his glass to mine. “No, you look amazing.”

Lisa’s red tulle midi gown makes me feel a little better, but it’s still much more formal than my mid-thigh hemline. “Only five minutes early? Well, you look stunning, so the time was worth it.”

“Thank you. It was mostly because it took him so long to get pretty, though.” I gesture to James. “Lisa, this is James.”

“I’ve heard so much about you.” Her smile is dazzling as she shakes his hand.

“And I you. But as excited as I am to see Mira’s movie, I might have to be angry at you for putting her in a position to get her own apartment.”

“Our girl is going to be famous. I couldn’t stop that if I tried.” She loops her arm through mine. “How are things going? Were you happy with the result of your last meeting with Emily?”

“Yes, we figured everything out.” Emily is a fantastic director, and I could not be more grateful that she comes to me with questions, ideas, and tweaks. “She says we’ll be scheduling a test screening soon.”

“That’s wonderful! I can’t wait.”

“I’m so lucky to have you.” Landing an agent was harder than writing the movie. And I had to do it twice.

“No luck involved. You’re brilliant. Your lit background set you up to write so beautifully.”

“James, are we grossing you out yet with our lovefest?”

“Not at all. I’m thrilled to see smiles and champagne today.” He winks at me.

“Well, we should have plenty of that,” Lisa says. “Enjoy. I’ll catch back up with you in a bit.” She floats off to greet new arrivals.

“I would have actually killed you if you brought Nick to this.” James pinches a canapé between his thumb and pointer finger and sighs when he puts it in his mouth.

“There is no way in hell I’d have brought him. Before we forget”—I take my phone out of the gold clutch that matches my heels—“pictures.”

James takes some of me, a server takes some of the two of us, and I snap a picture of him that has to be his new profile picture on everything.

We mingle with Lisa’s other clients, and shortly before the official red carpet coverage starts, Lisa steps up onto the raised hearth of her huge fireplace, and a hush falls over the room.

“Thank you all for coming tonight. It’s an incredible honor to work with so many talented people, and I know you won’t all always be available to hang out with me during the Academy Awards, so I am grateful to have you here today.

It’s also a pleasure to tell you all that I’ve accepted an offer from a bigger agency! ”

I suck in a breath. Not again. What does that mean for me? Do I still have an agent?

“And I am taking you all with me!”

For a few seconds, I thought my whole career was crumbling. Okay, that’s a little dramatic, but shit, I would cry if I lost Lisa. Because of her, not just because trying to get an agent again would be hell.

“You’re all still stuck with me,” she says and gets some chuckles. “This can only open more doors for us, and I’m over the moon to share this with you today.”

A round of applause arises as she smiles from ear to ear, then says, “Now eat, drink, and dream cast your movies while you watch the big show.”

I clap lightly with my fingers woven around the stem of my glass.

“Mira!” James says. “This is so great!”

My jaw is slack as I turn to James. “Yeah, it is!”

“So bubbly is champagne, Lisa, me, and now you today?”

My nose wrinkles as a giddy smile breaks out on my face. “Possibly the best Oscars ever.”

“Until you win one.”

“Well, yes, that.”

When Lisa gets around to us, I give her a big hug and congratulate her. “I’m so happy for you. And me, but mostly you!”

She laughs. “You can be happy for yourself, too. I’m definitely wiggling into relationships with bigger producers and directors now.

It’s mostly due to a screenplay I recently sold for a new client.

You’d love it. It’s raw and emotional, and I’m looking forward to introducing you to the writer, but of course, he’s late. ”

“Can’t wait for that movie then.”

“It’s total Oscar bait. I’m so excited for it.”

“Wow! Well, I’m low-key jealous that it wasn’t me who did that for you but thrilled for you and to be working with you.”

“Yours is coming, Mira.” Her gaze jumps over my shoulder, and her face lights up. “Oh, there he is.” She waves, and I turn around to meet her new star client. “Mirabelle Sheridan, this is Preston Greene.”