Page 53 of Toni and Addie Go Viral

Addie

Knowing Toni would be on the set today had left Addie with goliath moths in her belly. She was fine when the cameras were running, but when they were between takes or between scenes, Addie felt like her head was on a swivel. She scanned the people in the streets, hoping to see Toni.

She ought to have been here by now.

“We have an idea that we may want to run with,” Marcela said as she approached Addie midmorning. “I wanted to bounce it off you.”

Addie looked her way. “You’re the boss.”

“Yes, but I don’t want to spring anything awkward on you.”

Her tone made Addie pause. “Okay…”

“We wanted a cameo with Toni,” Marcela continued. “So I was thinking we can have her alongside the witness you meet. Can you do that without… complications?”

Addie felt like she was glowing. “Of course.”

“Without grinning the way you are right now? It would look odd if you were all wide smiles through the whole scene,” Marcela added in a teasing voice.

“I will definitely try.”

“It’ll be good promo footage to have her in the shot,” Marcela added, glancing to a commotion across the street. In a lower voice, she muttered, “And hopefully keep her from punching Philip.”

“What?” Addie stared at Marcela. “How did you—”

“Later,” Marcela said. Then louder, she called, “Someone bring me Darbyshire.” She pointed to where Toni was talking to a security guard at the perimeter.

“I’ll go!” Addie turned to head across the street.

And all Addie could do was force herself to walk toward Toni, trying to be mindful of the fact that her heavy dress was not meant for speed—even without the corset. Thankfully, Toni had argued that Addie and the rest of the cast be free from those if they wanted.

Toni was in a Victorian suit, not the same one Addie had seen, and she was stalking across the street with a sort of focused purpose that made Addie’s chest as tight as if she were still wearing a corset.

“Adelaine,” Toni said as they met in the street.

Addie stopped a foot from her and stared at her. “You’re here. ”

The look in Toni’s eye was not just the usual fondness or desire; she was studying Addie. “Are you well? Safe?”

From behind them, Addie heard, “Cut.”

“What?” Addie turned back and scowled.

“Improv, but it’ll work. We can use that as a brief scene, a setup,” Marcela said. “Excellent chemistry, Toni and Addie. Hopefully, the viewers don’t beg me to give you a role.”

“I can guarantee you that that won’t happen,” Toni muttered. She wrapped an arm around Addie’s waist as she said, in barely a whisper, “Do you want me to try to have that deleted? I didn’t know they were doing that. I was told I just had to sit in a room and stare at you adoringly.”

Addie put a hand to her mouth, as if she could hide the laugh that wanted to bubble up. “I am perfectly fine with that improv scene and still want that other scene, if you’re willing.…”

“Fine, but I need sleep after,” Toni said. “I have plans tonight.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Toni shot her a quelling look, and this time Addie did start laughing.

After a moment, she took Toni’s hand and dragged her over to Marcela. “You need to let her see that scene before you use it.” She shook a finger at her. “You’re tricky.”

“And you two were splendid.” Marcela gave them a long look. “Fake marriage, my ass. My eyes still work, you know.”

“We’re dating,” Toni said simply. “That part is true. I’ve said that, and Adelaine has done interviews. The wedding was… part of a historical weekend. You know that. The wedding itself was not real. There was no marriage license.”

“Are you willing to do an interview together?” Marcela asked. “That footage, the interview…” She drifted off, obviously plotting. “The sound bites would be amazing.”

“Fine. One interview with both of us. You can come chaperone if you want,” Toni added.

“I’ll set it up.” Marcela smiled gleefully.

Addie stayed there silently, contentedly holding Toni’s hand in hers even as she knew that Philip was nearby glaring at them. At me. She could feel his gaze on them without looking, and she knew that last night’s rage was still simmering there.

Toni’s next words drew her attention, even though her voice was too low to be overheard. “And the matter I emailed about?”

This wasn’t the tender side of Toni that Addie had grown accustomed to hearing, or even the professorial one she’d watched online and in person. This was something more forceful.

“I’ll need about three weeks,” Marcela said evasively, speaking as quietly as Toni had been. “I spoke to Ms. Haide and to the studio. I share your opinion, Toni, but you know there will be repercussions.”

Toni nodded once. Her voice was still pitched low as she said, “Good. I will expect security in those three weeks, and the interview before that because I will not be able to be polite if asked directly. I can be cooperative, but only if Adelaine’s safety is prioritized.”

“Toni…?” Addie had a sinking feeling that she knew exactly what the topic was they were discussing. Philip. It had to be about him. “I’m okay.”

Toni squeezed her hand. “We’ll talk about it tonight, love.” Then in a louder voice, Toni said, “Shall we get this cameo filmed so I can head to the hotel? I’m not a morning person, and today’s flight was earlier than I like.”

Filming the cameo was harder than Addie expected. She wanted to go to dinner, lunch, drinks, walks, anywhere with only Toni. She didn’t want cameras on them.

Honestly, it wasn’t even that she wanted Toni naked in bed.

Addie wanted to explore the city with her.

They weren’t filming the next day—weekends were free—so she had already been looking forward to exploring the city.

Today’s work hours seemed to have been dragging already, and now she was in a shop—supposedly in the 1800s, thanks to creative work by the team—talking to the woman who was to be a witness… and the woman’s companion.

Adding Toni to the scene was a minor script modification, but Addie was struggling to keep her eyes off Toni. They were to be former lovers in the new scene, so Addie was “allowed” to shoot her a heated look.

Between takes, Marcela politely said, “Think of your character, Addie. You are a bit lacking in subtlety. More pining, less ‘I want to ravish you.’”

“My character has been without affection for months. I think a bit of lust is appropriate,” Addie argued.

“Less of it, unless Toni is planning to take up a role on the show.” Marcela crossed her arms and looked at them.

“Addie? I could use a nap. Can we get this done?” Toni said in a low voice. “As the queen supposedly once said, ‘Lie still and think of England.’”

Addie giggled, recalling a video of Toni talking about that tidbit as Queen Victoria’s answer on how to endure sex. It was not actually what the queen said, but it had become a fun catchphrase, and Toni had used it in her book, too.

Once they finished the scene with the cameo, the crew hustled to get ready for the next scenes of the day. Addie had a few moments to talk to Toni, but before she could do so, Philip walked up to Toni.

Toni shot Addie a smile and continued toward the barriers.

As Toni walked away, he pursued her, not quite hurrying, but Addie knew he was trying to reach Toni before she left the set. “Miss Darbyshire? Toni?”

Addie winced internally when Toni pivoted to meet his gaze.

“ Dr. Darbyshire,” she said, correcting him.

“Right.” Philip straightened, as if he could rebuild himself, or maybe he was trying to stand as her equal. He was technically taller, but he looked small as Toni stared at him. “I just wanted a chance to meet you and—”

Toni cut him off. “Why?”

“What?” Philip stared at her, frowning now.

“ Why do you want to meet me?” Toni prompted. “You called my girlfriend a dyke… which means that you likely have no respect for me either, as I’m the dyke who wrote the book.”

“I don’t know what she told you, but—”

“I was on the phone, Philip. She told me nothing. You did, when you uttered that slur.” Toni looked at him. “I could kill you, you know. No one would mind that much.”

“ What? Did you threaten—”

“In the book, Philip, I could kill your character off, and no one would miss you.” Toni leveled a look at him that would make sensible people retreat, and Addie realized that Toni had intended it as a threat against his livelihood, but she undoubtedly also realized exactly what he’d hear in her words.

He stood there, gaping at her. “I had no idea you were on the phone or—”

“And since you seem confused, let me clarify. I’ve known Adelaine since well before the book,” Toni said, voice carrying clearly.

“She didn’t fuck me for the role, as you have so charmingly suggested.

We dated before I sold the book, and I didn’t even know she’d auditioned until after she was chosen by Marcela for the cast. She kept it a secret until the day I met both of you.

If anyone benefitted from her being cast in the show, it was me. ”

Toni’s voice grew louder as she continued, “She makes the show better, and I have the pleasure of seeing her more often because she auditioned. Marcela hired her without me knowing. So if anyone is benefitting here, it’s not Addie.

I’m the one benefitting from her presence in my life and on this show.

She’s the one gracious enough to audition, to accept the role, and to allow me some of her free time.

She’s an amazing, gorgeous, talented, kindhearted woman, not someone who has to lie or connive to succeed. ”

Toni didn’t look at Addie the whole time, but Addie was well aware that Toni knew she was watching. She knew Addie was listening—as was half the crew.

And yet, Toni still said those things, those ridiculously flattering things.

Addie wanted to go over and kiss her until they were embarrassing themselves. She wanted to point at Toni and say, “Do you hear that? She likes me.” She wanted to melt from how hot her cheeks were burning. Instead, Addie just watched Toni in awe.

“Next time you decide to make a homophobic slur… actually, just don’t.

She’s succeeding because she’s talented,” Toni said to him, more gently now.

“And honestly, Philip, who accepts a role in a show written by a lesbian about a lesbian detective and makes a comment like that?” She shook her head.

“I have already told my team that I won’t sit at any events with someone who calls a woman a ‘dyke bitch.’ And if the powers that be try to insist, I’ll explain in public why I refuse.

Let’s see how that affects you getting cast in anything else. ”

Finally she glanced at Addie. “I’ll be at the hotel.”

Then she turned and left. And Addie couldn’t quite wipe the shocked look off her face. It wasn’t just that Toni had outed Philip for his homophobic remark, but she had also just publicly said she was dating Addie.

She called me her girlfriend!