Backstage Romance: An Austen-Inspired Romantic Comedy Box Set by Gigi Blume (ebook reader with highlighter txt) 📕

perfection. With my sure-fire matchmaking victory on the horizon and a delightfully productive rehearsal, I was floating on a cloud. But then… Pinky walked into the room, waving her mobile in the air. Ugh! Every day, it was something else with that woman. If she wasn’t throwing a wobbly over the schedule, it was the production team or the number of extras we’d need to hire. She wouldn’t shut up about Jennifer Fairfax. How wonderfully talented she was. How elegant. How beautiful. I was so over it. Why bring it up over and over and over again?

She stopped in the middle of the room and caught her breath, still shaking the mobile around.

Yes, dear, we see the phone.

Jaxson’s adorable lips curled. “Are you all right, Pinky?”

“Yes! Oh wow! The best news.” She gasped a few more times. “I got a call.”

“Do you need some water?” Jax reached for his untouched bottle.

Pinky waved it off. “No, thanks. I’m fine. I’m fine. Whew! I was at the corner store getting gum. You know how I need my gum.”

Jaxson nodded. We all nodded. Pinky loved her gum.

“Yes, well, I was getting my gum, and then my phone rang. I usually don’t answer while I’m at the cashier because how rude. I always like to give my attention to the person behind the counter. Especially when money’s involved.”

“Yes, dear.” I smiled through gritted teeth. “But why are you out of breath?”

“Are you sure you don’t need some water?” Jaxson offered.

“No, no. I’m really fine.”

By this time, everyone in the room was impatient to know what was going on with Pinky and her panting and gum story. Morris, the most patient man in the world couldn’t take it anymore. “Just get to the point, Pinky,” he cried.

At that, Pinky blinked, shot her head up, and looked right at Jaxson.

“Jennifer Fairfax is coming.”

I was certain I’d heard her wrong at first. There was no way this could be happening. She broke her foot… or her elbow… or something. She left us out to dry, scrambling to fill her role. And what about Beth? The part had been given to her. My heart sank as Jaxson took Beth and Pinky in Stella’s office to clarify things. Everyone stared at each other dumbfounded.

After an unbearable length of time, I stormed out of the room to find Jaxson in the hallway. I pressed him to explain, but none of it made any sense.

“Jennifer is still under contract,” he said. “Her manager made sure of it.”

“But she can’t do the picture with a broken foot,” I argued.

“Apparently, it was just a sprain. She’ll be here tomorrow.”

“You can’t just throw a spanner in the works, Jax. Beth knows the part.”

“We’ll keep Beth in the movie. But she took the role knowing it was probationary. My hands are tied.”

“Grrrr. I’d like to tie your hands, Mr Jaxson Knightly,” I huffed.

His eyes flashed. “Is that so?”

“You know what I meant, you dog.”

“Woof.”

Gah! Why was it so hard to remain cross with him? Truthfully, I blamed Pinky. This was all her mess. If she weren’t such a fan girl over Jennifer Fairfax, she would have made the arrangements with a level head—instead of her usual scatterbrain. Scratch that. There wasn’t a sane bit anywhere to be found with Pinky. We were doomed.

“How did Beth take it?”

“She was understanding. She said she needed a couple of days to decide if she’ll stay on.” In other words, consult her superstar boyfriend on her next move.

“Now you’ll have to face Will.”

“Right. I suppose so,” he said on a sigh.

I slapped his shoulder, shoving him toward Beth. “Well, see ya. I wouldn’t want to be you right now.”

Will had just arrived to pick Beth up, and I noticed a slight hesitation in Jaxson’s stride. I gathered my things, leaving Elton to woo Harriet with his magical voice and left the Cry Room to put another sticky note on Stella’s computer. At least I had one thing to boast about. I wasn’t about to let Pinky or Jennifer Fairfax ruin my day. A pint of ice cream would make sure of that.

11

A Disturbance In The Force

Jaxson

Nobody expected Jennifer Fairfax to recover so quickly. Then again, knowing her manager, I shouldn’t have been surprised. He probably flew up to Vancouver himself to make sure Jennifer hobbled her way back to L.A. just so he could get his commission. Sure, Pinky should have noticed the loophole in Jennifer’s contract, but it was my picture and my responsibility to make sure there were no problems. Way to muck it up, Knightly. The expression of disbelief and then heartbreak on Beth’s face was even more reason to feel like a shonky ratbag. Even after I promised to give her the same compensation as previously agreed for a smaller role, her lip quivered—the only sign she would allow to show her disappointment. Will, however, was a different story. His fists clenched at his sides so fiercely, I braced for the impact of his knuckles across my face. But it never came. His silence had much more sting. Beth thanked me and walked out with Will, head high, feigning indifference with her shoulders resolute and strong. I only hoped she would return. I gave her the option to remain in the cast or take the money and run. The choice was hers. And maybe a little bit Will’s. She said she’d think about it.

If that wasn’t bad enough, I knew the whole situation upset Emma. Hiring Beth was her idea—and it was a good one. Jennifer was a fine addition to the cast, but we would have never known how much better Beth was if Jennifer hadn’t hurt herself skiing.

There was a pointed disturbance in the cast the following day. In fact, it didn’t take long for the rumours to spread. By the time I arrived at least eight different stories had been whispered amongst the actors—none of them exactly accurate. I needed to explain quickly, before Jennifer made her appearance, the