Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Yeah, that’ll work. I’ll talk to you then. Unless you want to keep talking.”
“I’m really tired, honestly. As much as I want to keep talking to you, I’m in my car about to head home, and I’m worried I might just fall asleep in this parking lot.”
Leila laughs. “Drive safe and text me when you get home, then, okay?”
“I will.”
We hang up, and I feel slightly better about everything that happened, but I’m still bummed out at the missed opportunity. Hopefully, one of the others pans out, and I won’t have to worry about it, but it seems like that studio would be a lot of fun to work for.
When I get home, I text Leila that I’m back, and then I crash into my bed without bothering to take off my clothes. I do remember to set an alarm for three, which is an hour before I’m expected on set. Despite my foul mood, my dreams are still wonderful, consisting of Leila and all the fun we’ve had together, in and out of this bed.
Chapter Thirty-One – Leila
Today was officially the last day of filming on Spencer’s movie, which means technically today was the last day of my fake relationship with him. It’s funny to think we ever thought we’d be able to stop what we had. It may have been ‘fake,’ but to both of us, it was always real.
To celebrate the final day of filming, Spencer’s cast and crew are having a big wrap party at the studio where they filmed the whole movie. I’ve never been to the set, and I wasn’t sure if I should even go, but Spencer insisted that all the families, including significant others, would be there, and so I should join.
It still feels a little weird, but since Spencer wanted me there, I took a half-day at the office to come home and get ready. It’s a casual party, so I wear jeans and a T-shirt before heading to the address Spencer gave me for the studio.
When I arrive, I’m surprised at how plain it is. My only experience with movie studios is what I see in the movies about making movies, and they make it seem glamorous. This looks more like an abandoned warehouse. That party Spencer and I went to was in a nicer place than what I’m parked in front of now.
I check the address in my text from Spencer and verify I am at the right place. With a shrug, I get out of the car and walk to what appears to be the front door. There’s a guy inside holding a clipboard. I give him my name, and he checks it off and lets me into the large, open studio building.
The first thing I see is a sign saying to be quiet because filming is in progress. Spencer and, unfortunately, Candy are standing on what appears to be a fake rooftop. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but I assume they’re confessing their love to each other. I fight the urge to gag, but I don’t feel any jealousy. Spencer is with me, and he doesn’t care about Candy. That much, I can be sure of.
I find a group who also looks out of place and join them as we all watch the final filming of this movie that Spencer has spent two months perfecting. Seeing him in his natural habitat is fun. He looks like a whole different person out there, which I guess is the point. He’s totally in character. This is why it’s surprising that Spencer has struggled with finding bigger roles. He’s an incredible actor. I hope someone sees that soon. As much as Spencer appreciates these small films, I know it is hurting his spirit.
“That’s a wrap!” someone, who I assume is the director, yells. Everyone in the room cheers, and the cast and crew start hugging. Someone pops a bottle of champagne, raining the liquid down over the set.
Spencer stands on his toes to scan the crowd until he sees me. I wave him over, and he joins me with a kiss.
“I’m so glad you could make it! Sorry, we ran a bit later than expected.”
“It was kind of fun to watch you work.”
“Now you know why I like going to jobs with you.”
I giggle. “I do see the appeal. So, you’re officially done with this movie?”
“Yep!” Spencer says with a smile. “At least, the filming part. Mostly. There may still be some reshoots during editing, and I’ll have to do some press before it comes out on streaming. But we don’t think about all that stuff when we have these wrap parties.”
“It seems like a lot of fun. Not what I expected, though.”
“Shooting a movie on a set isn’t very glamorous. I prefer location shoots. I did one in Hawaii once. Now that was awesome.”