Chapter One: Under Pressure
The cool lights of the editing room bore down on me, as I swiveled back and forth in my leather swivel seat. There was a soft scent of coffee in the air that made my mouth water. A soft grumble of my stomach reminded me of the approaching lunch hour. My fingers hovered over the keyboard in front of me.
The projector screen against the wall revealed the current paused scene that was sending my head into a tizzy. It was a wide shot of our two lead women in the middle of a snow covered street at sunset. Their breaths were fogging the air between them. Each of them itching to touch the other, but not daring to. I pushed up my glasses before hitting play.
City noise and boots crunching filled the room. My eyes focused more on how the scene looked itself rather than what was happening. I leaned closer, watching how the light softened the edges of the frame and how the smallest tilt of one of their chins conveyed longing, regret, and restraint. A silence was brewing between them and it was heavy.
Frame by frame, I scrubbed the film backwards. It took me a couple of times to figure out what I was having problems with. The younger actress blinked just a second too soon. I hummed before marking the clip and dragging it to my notes folder.
A knock vibrated against the door.
I slightly jumped. My eyes cut to the Render In Progress sign I neglected to put on yet again. “Yeah?”
The door opened revealing my beautiful wife. Her soft features came into view: smooth brown skin, dark hooded eyes that bore into whoever she looked at, plump lips, and a jaw dropping smile. Her dark waves were flowing behind her. She was wearing a grey pantsuit that accented the best parts of her body with a black blouse underneath and heels, as if she needed to be any taller.
I smiled, as she walked in.
“I hate that I’m going to have to wipe that smile off your face,” Lorelai smirked.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, moving to the edge of my seat.
Lorelai waved me away. “Sit back.”
I rested back against my seat, as I looked at her with pleading eyes.
“Charlotte pulled out of the movie.”
I closed my eyes, as my hands gripped the chair. Every problem that was now created was running through my head. The scene I was just obsessing over no longer mattered.
“If you’re calm, there’s something you’re leaving out,” I said, finally eyeing her again.
“Just worry about new auditions in two days,” Lorelai said.
“Lorelai.”
She shook her head. “I solved every possible problem. All I need you to do is conduct the auditions.”
I leaned forward, keeping steady eye contact with her. “There has to be something…”
Lorelai shook her head.
“Lo.”
She shoved her hands into her pockets, as she stepped towards me. “Listen.”
I swallowed, as her tone sent my brain back to flashbacks from last night: Lorelai making demands, as her fingers curled into me. My stomach fluttered. I leaned back in my chair.
Lorelai sighed, leaning back. She nodded to the screen. “What did you not like?”
“She blinks too soon,” I said. I went back a couple of frames before I replayed the moment.
Lorelai didn’t even look at the screen. I knew she didn’t need to. It was her favorite scene, but it still felt right to prove my point.
“What don’t you like?” Lorelai asked.
“It ruins the moment.”
“Babe, it is the moment. Her blink is the only place she lets herself flinch.”
I bit my lip, as my focus went back to the screen. Lorelai’s words juggled around in my head.
I sighed. “Fine. I’ll leave it in.”
Lorelai walked closer to me. “Have you eaten?”
“I wanted to finish this.” I paused. “But I guess now it doesn’t matter.”
“Whether we include a blink or not is important to me.”
My eyes flickered up to Lorelai’s. Her eyes were already looking at me. Their usual softness was present joined with a soft half smile.
I turned back to the screen, as I played the entire scene again. This time I allowed myself to really watch the blink. Lorelai’s words flew around my head.
Lorelai grabbed my hand before kissing my knuckles softly. “We’re telling a story about everything people leave unsaid. Don’t cut honesty.”
My eyes never left the frame. “You’re so annoying when you’re right.”
Lorelai chuckled.
“Fine,” I muttered. “You win. We keep the blink.”
Lorelai smiled before kissing my temple. “Take a break. Order lunch. I’ll join you shortly.”
I nodded. “I love you.”
Lorelani smiled, causing her eyes to soften. “I love you, too, princess.”
After Lorelai walked out of the room, I shortly followed. Before going to my office, I stopped by the craft table for water. Hiding within the shadows of people, I discreetly grabbed a bottle of water. I got distracted on my way out, as Lorelai came into my view. Like usual, she was pointing and making demands, but she looked so beautiful doing it.
“But you said Grace is a pushover,” I heard behind me.
By the time I turned, the two PAs that were talking were halfway across the set. Their voices continued to carry the last bit of their conversation.
“Grace doesn’t take charge and command a space,” the other said.
My grip on my water bottle tightened, as my only focus went to getting into my office as quickly as possible. A pushover? Was that really my reputation? I sat on the couch, my mind wandering.
I barely noticed when the door to my office opened.
“What did you order?” Lorelai asked.
I looked up. “What?”
Lorelai crossed the room quickly with her long strides. “What’s wrong?”
“Do you think I’m a pushover?”
Lorelai raised an eyebrow. “Who put that in your head?”
“Answer.”
“We would not be married if you were. Is that good enough for you?”
“Maybe.”
Lorelai chuckled before collapsing down on the couch next to me. “You and I are always going to be compared to each other with how much we work together. But we each have our own ways of showing dominance.”
I glanced at her. “You’re a lot more showy.”
Lorelai chuckled. “Yes. Your neutrality gives people a chance to speak before commanding.”
I nodded before resting my head on Lorelai’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
“Next time point them out and I’ll fire them on the spot.”
I laughed. “Lo.”
“I’ll do it.”
“I know.”
