Page 3 of Two-Step
“I appreciate that, but I don’t think—”
“Iris, listen to me. As your manager, I think we need to set the tone from the very beginning that you are the kind of star who goes above and beyond for the role.”
“Yeah, but Mo—”
“I don’t have to tell you what a close call this was,” she says, sounding both relieved and judgmental. “When the network cancelled the show after just three seasons, do you have any idea how lucky we were that the studio picked up the movie rights?”
“Of course I know. I’m the one who was out of a job for three weeks.” I sigh, frustration shortening the ligaments between my shoulder blades.
“We wereallout of a job, Iris. Don’t forget that this isn’t just about you,” she says, her voice losing the relief and leveraging guilt in its place.
I drop my gaze into my lap, but out of the corner of my eye, I notice Ramon’s hand tighten around the steering wheel.
“I know this isn’t just about me.” But the words don’t seem to have enough air behind them.
“What did you say? You’re mumbling again.”
I fill my lungs and ignore the tightening in my throat. “I know,” I say clearly this time. “I know this isn’t just about me.”
“Well, good. I’m so glad to hear that. Because if the studio likes working with you andHexedis a box office success, you know there could be sequels, and you would have just written your own ticket.”
“I get that, Moira, but I don’t see what a Brazillian wax has to do with any of tha—”
“How many times have I told you about going the extra mile? I mean, we’ve spent years on this road, haven’t we? Look how far we’ve come. All the way from Broken Bow, Oklahoma.”
I swallow. “Right.” It’s all I can say. There’s no point in arguing anymore. I don’t even remember why I started to in the first place.
Oh, yeah, because I don’t want a stranger ripping hairs out of my ass crack.
Hell, I don’t wantanyoneripping hairs out of my ass crack, strangers or no.
But right now, what I don’t want even more is to continue this conversation.
“Okay, Moira. We’re gonna go in now or else I’ll be late.”
“Good. Good. If you want to call me while you’re on the table, we can talk about some product endorsement offers that came in over the weekend.”
I hear Sally choke.
“No. No.” I shudder, picturing taking a call with Moira while someone is spreading hot wax on my nether parts. I’m pretty sure this is my custom-made version of hell. “I’ll call you later.”
Moira’s sigh slithers around us. “Fine. Just don’t forget.”
“I won’t,” I say through clenched teeth.
“Ramon, don’t let her forget.”
“Of course not,” Ramon answers in a rush.
“And don’t let her trip on the way into the spa. You know how clumsy she is when she’s distracted.”
I shut my eyes and squeeze them until all I see is red and black.
Ramon clears his throat. “I won’t let anything happen to her, Moira.” It’s the certainty in his voice that allows me to open my eyes again. I look at him. He’s watching me, too much sympathy in his caramel brown eyes.
I look back at Sally who is biting her lip, concern a stamp between her auburn brows.
“If that’s all, Moira, we’re going to—”
