Chapter Text
When the official call came that they would film the script you had written with Marc, you were beyond ecstatic. You’d been writing together for a few years now and had moved to Hollywood in the hopes of selling some of these scripts. You’d sold two that were never made and had made a name for yourselves writing a few tv episodes for a high profile series. This particular script, however had been something special, you’d both known it from the moment you’d started discussing the idea in your favourite bar, a little, tucked away, blues joint that had an amazing whiskey selection. So after a good year of writing and tweaking you’d finally sent it out to a couple of production companies … and had received a steady steam of rejections.
Finally one production company had believed in the script as much as you both did and they’d given you the call. Thanks to Marc you’d kept the rights and you would be closely involved in the project. After a prominent director had agreed to come on board, everything had happened very quickly. When the contracts came you laughed over some of the clauses, in particular the one that forbade any personal relationships with the talent, so as to promote a good working environment for all parties involved.
You both spent the following few weeks in talks with the director, the producers, casting director and even more people involved with the movie. You’d been allowed to give a list of actors you’d like to see cast, but knew that they probably wouldn’t agree to be in the film or that the casting director would have different ideas. While the casting director had managed to cast most of the roles, the leading man was still open. She was very mysterious about who she’d approached for it, as she didn’t want to get your hopes up. You ended up sending a few rewrites to her, so she could show some revised work to the actor in question.
By the time the morning of the first read through arrived, you were worried you would be working without a leading man. That morning you’re standing in the corner of the room with Marc, having the first of many cups of coffee. You’re talking about a particularly difficult scene that still needs tweaking. You both stop when a beautiful woman walks into the room. She’s one of the actresses that had been on your wish list for the role of May, one of your main characters. You try not to stare and act normal, when she comes over and introduces herself.
“Hi, I’m Alice. Nice to meet you.” She holds out a well manicured hand.
You manage to introduce yourself without too much stammering, which allows Marc to tease you about it as soon as Alice has moved on to the next group of people.
Other actors are trickling in and when you think you’ve managed to get used to being surrounded by people whose work you’ve admired for years, he walks in and you stop dead in your tracks.
His walk is confident and he’s holding a cellphone and sunglasses in those strong hands. He’s wearing a light grey leather jacket over a dark grey t-shirt and black trousers. His brown hair is short and he’s got a five o’clock shadow that makes you want to run your finger along that sculpted jaw. His blueish grey eyes scan the room and rest on you for a long moment. Feeling a blush rising to your cheeks you somehow manage a small smile while maintaining eye contact. He gives you a beautiful wide smile that makes his eyes crinkle, before being distracted by a producer who has walked up to him.
You quickly turn around and subtly try to take a few breaths.
“Hey, you ok? You’re looking a bit flushed.” Marc holds out a bottle of cold water.
“I’m fine.” It comes out a bit too quick, causing your long-time friend to give you a quizzical look.
“Just a bit starstruck.” You admit grudgingly.
“By who?” He quickly scans the room before his eyes stop on Jeremy Renner. “Oh, I see.”
“What? You see what?”
“Come on, you’ve been mooning over this guy ever since he was in SWAT and your dvd collection of him is quite large. I guess I should have told you they cast him to play Thomas.” Marc says with a mischievous smile.
You smack his arm “You knew!”
“Ouch.” Rubbing his arm, Marc gives you a guilty look. “I may have pushed a bit harder to get him for Thomas, but I never expected him to agree to be in this.”
“How long have you known? You could have told me, given me some time to prepare, so I didn’t turn beet red when he walked in.” Taking a few sips of the cold water, you feel yourself cool down marginally. You’re berating yourself for getting flushed. This wasn’t the first celebrity you’d worked with! On top of that you’re a grown woman and should totally be an adult about this. So, shelf the fangirl who is flailing wildly inside of you.
“I’ve know for about three days.” Holding up his hands and stepping back to avoid another smack to the arm. “I didn’t tell you, because I knew you would have gotten so nervous about meeting him that it would have been worse.”
“I guess you’ve got a point.” You give him a friendly bump against his arm and he puts his arm around you.
“Just relax and breathe. He’s just like everybody else.” Marc whispers.
“Hey, hope I’m not interrupting.” You’d know that voice with your eyes closed, and still couldn’t believe you were hearing it in real life. Marc and you whirl around. “I just wanted to come over and introduce myself. I’m Jeremy, I’ll play Thomas.” He’s holding out his hand.
Marc recovers first and takes the offered hand. “Hi, nice to meet you. I’m Marc, writer.”
Giving Marc a polite smile, he then turns his full attention to you, his stormy eyes focusing on yours, holding out that sexy hand again. You introduce yourself as another one of the writers without too much stuttering. His hand is both soft and rough at the same time. You try to stop yourself from imagining what those hands would feel like on your body, but let’s face it, you really don’t want to deny yourself the pleasant little fantasy. During the handshake his eyes never leave yours and you can feel yourself getting lost in their depths.
“I gotta say, I loved the script, especially the rewrites for some of the scenes they’ve shown me. Those are what made me accept to do the project.” Jeremy says, while his eyes keep shifting back to yours.
“Thanks. That’s quite a compliment.” Marc says as you manage to calm yourself down a bit more and utter a thank you.
“I’d like to discuss the character some more if you’ve got time. Really get to know the psychology behind him, what makes him tick. I’ve got a few ideas myself, but I’d like to run them by you.”
At this, Marc points to you “She’s your woman there. She knows Thomas through and through, did most of the writing for him.”
Jeremy focuses his full attention back on you and gives you another full on smile, that manages to both put you at ease and make you a bit weak in the knees. “That’s quite a character you’ve written there. I can’t wait to dig a bit deeper.”
You give him a shy smile. “He sure is. Thomas actually developed quite slowly. He was fun and sometimes disturbing to write.” You know your stuff and are comfortable talking about characterisation.
“So, would you be up for a chat about him. Maybe we can grab some coffee together sometime soon?”
Wait, was he asking you out? You immediately dismiss the thought and realise this was all about work. He is a professional and he is simply asking for coffee, your imagination is clearly running circles around you. “I’d like that, my contact details are in the info binder, so just shoot me a text when would work for you.”
“Sounds great.” Giving you another smile, he turns to the table as, at that moment, you’re all requested to take your places, so the very first read through can start.
———————
Later that day you are in the small office provided to you by the studio. It’s cozy and has a small couch in the corner. A single window overlooks the parking lot and you’ve tried to make the space feel more like you by adding a few posters. Despite the couch, you’ve settled down on the floor with an empty notepad, trying to jot down a few more ideas. The sound of a message on your phone brings you out of a particular bit of dialogue you felt inspired to write.
* Hey, how about coffee tomorrow? J *
After staring at your phone a bit dumbstruck, a big smile appears on your face. Just as quick, the realisation that you’ll be stuck in meetings for most of the day tomorrow hits you and, pouting a bit, you type a quick response.
* While coffee sounds great, unfortunately I’ll be stuck in meetings for most of the day *
Putting the phone back down you try not to feel too let down, however the beep of a new message less than a minute later has your hopes rising again.
* How about dinner then? Tomorrow? *
You simply stare at the text. He’s asking you to dinner? Why did he not just reschedule a cup of coffee later in the week? Is he really just eager to discuss the role or could there be something else? You don’t allow yourself to dwell on the thought, but rather decide to treat this as a working dinner.
* OK, I finish at 6 *
The reply is once again quick.
* Great! I’ll be at the studio at 6:30 to pick you up. *
Trying to restrain yourself from doing a little dance with your phone, you simply decide to focus on writing and try to make it to 6:30pm tomorrow without overanalysing this.