Page 35 of Love Scenes

There’s no answer when we ring Haven’s doorbell. Guy takes to rhythmically knocking, pasting on his wide, gap-toothed grin and singing out Haven’s name. Tyler chimes in with gentle taps on the door. “Haven, please. If you’re in there, come out. We’ve got a whole crew waiting for you and nothing else to shoot today. We don’t need the nudity. Please. Just come to the door.”

The dead bolt clicks.

Haven appears, wedging herself into a small space between the door and the frame. She’s wearing a matching lavender pajama set, her bright blond hair is piled into a bun atop her head,and her eyes are red from crying. Without all the makeup, she looks younger than twenty-three. And terrified. “Why did your mom say I had to go naked then?”

Tyler gives me a quick, panicked look. Our mother’s refusal to step out of her antiquated mindset is truly going to tank this movie. “Because she’s a contract woman. She was going by what you signed off on. But she forgot to run it by me beforehand. I don’t think we need it. If you’d like, you can leave your slip on altogether.”

Joseph’s hand flicks into my side. I make eye contact with him, and he gestures toward Guy, who has backed away from the door to have some sort of existential crisis. He’s mouthing Tyler’s words while furiously shaking his head as if trying to exorcise a demon from his body.

“The beautiful thing about this movie is that the connection between Elise and Calvin is so well established that a hug between the two of them would be electric,” Tyler continues. “We could sell the whole moment with a look, if we wanted.”

Guy might pull a muscle in his neck he’s so dismayed.

My phone goes off. It’s my mother calling. Surely Tammy the AD has told her by now that her directors and her lead have fled to the coast to attempt a rescue mission.

I show the screen to Joseph. “This isn’t good,” I whisper into his ear.

“Hasn’t been since Guy stole a production van and drove us to the beach,” he whispers back, his breath brushing against the baby hairs on the side of my face.

“Haven,” he says louder, sauntering toward the door. “I’ve been in this position a few times before. The person everyone’s waiting on. I know you’ve got your reasons, and they’re a thousand times better than any shit excuse I ever had. But I promise, you’ll feel much better if you come to work. We all will. I thinkevery person here would be glad to do this scene whatever way ya like best. Contracts be damned.”

Haven takes an apprehensive step forward, still in her pajamas. Joseph coaxes her on with the same gentle hand an animal welfare person would use to rescue a frightened stray.

To the relief of us all, she keeps moving.

We take the stairs instead of the elevator, a silent, eager processional, as if constant motion will keep her from being upset. Maybe she’s more like a newborn baby? Whatever’s going on, Tyler and I keep a moderate distance, with Guy at the back, muttering to himself. Apparently nudity clauses mean a lot to him.

All the while my phone vibrates on and on, Mom persistent in her efforts to reach me. There’s no way I’m answering. Not until Haven is in full costume—be it a slip or her birthday suit—and we’re setting up the first take.

But Kitty Porter is a smart woman. When we’re one floor above the lobby, it’s no longer my phone going off. It’s Guy’s.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he answers.

“What the hell is going on?” Mom asks, the phone volume turned up so loud she might as well be inside the stairwell with us.

Tyler grabs my arm in a panic. Joseph looks at me with wide eyes. Now it feels like we’re covert ops on a mission that’s seconds from failing.

“Sweet sunshine,” Guy says, soft and calm. He must think we can’t hear the other side of this conversation. “Everything is perfect.”

“Then why are there no actors or directors on this set? Thank god I was able to come in, even though I’m notallowedto be here. As much as I’d love a chance to drive to the beach and build sandcastles, I guess I’m the only person on this entire team who was hoping to work today.”

“My sweet, all is well. We should be back soon.”

“I expect this kind of shit from my children, but you? You have to take the reins or—”

“Yes, dear. We’ll take care to be safe. I love you too.” He hangs up. “Sorry. Just my beautiful wife calling.”

We reach the end of the stairs. Haven comes to such an immediate halt that I almost fall into her. Joseph opens the door from the stairwell to the lobby, and he’s waving her through. But she’s not moving.

“Everyone hates me.” There’s a waver in her voice, the last little sonic blip before a tidal wave of tears.

“No, no, no,” we all assure, a desperate chorus.

“I know everyone thinks I suck. Now I’m putting us behind, and you’re all getting in trouble for coming to get me. And it’s all over my boobs.”

“Boobs,” Guy echoes, for no apparent reason.

After an awkward beat, Tyler goes, “Just so unnecessarily sexualized.”