Page 17 of Love Unscripted
Tiffany nodded, typing as she walked. “Done. And just a reminder—we’ve got that meeting with marketing at two. They said it’s important.”
Right. The marketing team. The people who’d start raising red flags if Camille didn’t settle soon. Just what he needed right now after Ray’s visit. When it rained it poured.
“Tell them we’ll need more behind-the-scenes coverage,” Aaron said. “Especially anything showing the cast dynamic. Try to get something with Camille looking engaged, collaborative. Might help soften the ground before they start asking questions.”
Tiffany shot him a knowing look but didn’t comment. She simply typed.
“Got it,” she said. “I’ll make sure they’re ready.”
The bustling café was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of dishes, a stark contrast to the intense heat of the rehearsal studio.
As they settled at a small table by the window, Aaron stirred his coffee absentmindedly, his thoughts still tangled with the earlier confrontation.
“I just want this to be perfect, Tiffany,” he said finally. “I’ve worked too hard on this project to let it implode. But I’m beginning to feel like I’m losing control of what’s happening on set.”
Tiffany watched him, her expression softening. “You’re talking about Camille.”
“She is driving me insane. She’s gone maverick on me.”
Tiffany shook her head. “I don’t understand why she’s doing this all of a sudden. The thing is that in spite of all that, she has a dynamism that’s hard to ignore. The moment she gets on set she just commands attention.”
“Ray told me that if she doesn’t shape up, the studio is going to insist we recast.”
Tiffany sighed. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. It would be a real disaster.”
He couldn’t disagree. It wasn’t just the emotional cost of looking for a new lead. The fact was, as much trouble as Camille was, she was mesmerizing as Esther. He had to agree with Ray—it was unlikely they’d find someone else who inhabited the role the way she did.
“Have you ever ridden a horse, Aaron?”
“No. Have you?” he asked, caught off guard by the question.
Tiffany nodded. “Uh huh. My father is a Texan rancher.”
“Texas, huh?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “I knew you were a southern gal. I didn’t realize it was big-ole-Texas southern.”
She smiled. “Well, a horse isn’t really trying to be in charge—it’s trying to understand you. At first it might test boundaries or feel unsure, so you need a rider who knows how to stay steady, give clear cues, and not be intimidated. You keep a firm guiding hold on the reins—not tight, just enough to show direction. And as the horse begins to trust you and understand what you’re asking, you ease your hand, give it a little more freedom, and let it move in partnership with you. That’s how you bring out the best in a horse.”
Aaron tilted his head. “Hmm. I’m guessing Camille is the horse in this analogy and I’m the rider.”
Tiffany nodded.
Aaron laughed. “I’m not sure how she’d feel about that.”
“She’d probably kick you,” Tiffany said matter-of-factly.
He chuckled. “Comforting.”
After the laughter died down he said, “But jokes aside, are you saying Camille isn’t trying to be in charge? Because I’ve got to tell you—it feels that way to me.”
Tiffany shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. I’m just saying that before you let the studio bring down the axe on her, you might try having a civil conversation about what you need—and why you need it.”
“I thought that’s what I had been doing before she completely ignored me,” Aaron said dryly. “But your suggestion may have some merit.”
He reached for his phone.
“Make a reservation at Frank’s Diner for tonight at seven,” he said. “I need to meet with her to discuss this, and I want to do it somewhere we’re both relaxed—not distracted by work.”
~*~*~*~
