4. The Only Choice

Jane

This has been the most bizarre audition I've ever been to. And that's saying something. First, it's way after hours. Then, Max, the guy who interviewed me—not exactly sure who he was, the director, maybe?—barely even saw me act. I know he has my resumé, but still, this is an acting job, after all. Or is it? The truth is, I still don't really know what this is about. And it's a live-in situation? Again, I've never heard of that before, but maybe it's commonplace for high-paying gigs? This is the first time I've auditioned for a job with a life-changing salary.

It's also the first time I've seen such a diverse group of women auditioning for the same role. Usually, I'm in the waiting room with brunettes of my height and weight, but today, there are women of every ethnicity, morphology, and hair color. This only makes me more curious about the part. Goodness, what did I get myself into? I hope I don't end up in the Playboy mansion.

After what seems like an hour, Jennifer, the redhead who's coordinating the casting, enters the waiting room with a clipboard in hand. My heartbeat picks up its pace. This is it. Even though I still know nothing about the part, and this audition was the weirdest of my life, I want this. I really, really want this. Not to mention if I don't get it, I'll be on the streets in a couple of days.

"Hello again, everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting. We've made our final cut. Numbers six, eight, and thirty, please stay behind. The rest of you, I'm sorry, but you weren't a good fit. We wish you the best in your careers. Have a great night."

Wait. What's my number again? Looking down at the sticker on my blouse, I let out a little squeal. Thirty. I'm staying behind. I made the cut! My heart is doing cartwheels in my chest, and I wish I could do a happy dance right now.

"Can you please follow me?" Jennifer asks, her eyes on me.

Nodding, I follow her back into the audition room.

Three chairs now surround the table Max was sitting behind earlier. Seated in one of them is a tall guy in a dark-blue suit. His brown hair is styled in a handsome brush-up, and he's scratching the perfectly groomed beard on his jaw as he stares at his phone. Probably hearing us enter, he raises his eyes to me, and I feel like I've been hit in the chest. I guessed he was good-looking from his figure, but his eyes are his best feature. Gray like stone, they seem to pierce right through my skull, forcing me to look away.

Jennifer gives me a warm smile before stepping back out.

"Colton, this is Jane Myers," Max says, motioning for me to take the seat across from them.

"Hi, Jane." Colton stands up to shake my hand. His voice is deep, its booming timbre carrying through the empty room.

I swallow hard and shake his hand. It's cold, but the touch sends fire through my entire body. "Hi."

"So," Max says once we're both seated. "Before we can proceed, there is some paperwork we need you to sign." He gestures to the documents on the table I'm only now noticing.

"Oh, okay." I glance up again, my eyes bulging. "Wait, does that mean I got the part?" My heart pounds as I connect the dots. The only thing I've ever signed is my contract.

"Not yet," Max clarifies. "It's a non-disclosure agreement. The part we're offering today is exceptionally sensitive, and we need to ensure confidentiality before we explain in more detail."

Frowning, I open the document and flip through the pages. "Can I read it?" I ask. It might take a few minutes, but even I know you never sign anything before reading the fine print.

"Of course," Colton says. "Take your time."

The two men direct their attention to their phones, and I start reading. The vocabulary isn't always easy to understand, but I get the gist of it. I can't divulge any of the information shared here today unless I want to pay a hefty amount of money to Mr. Colton Green. What the hell is this acting part about? I'm starting to get the creeps. Should I just turn around and run?

"Are you finished?" Max asks, probably noticing that I'm not reading anymore.

"Um, yes."

Max intertwines his fingers on the table. "Are you willing to sign?"

Colton straightens his back and gazes at me, awaiting my answer.

Shifting in my seat, I evaluate my options. One: Sign this NDA and discover what this part is, knowing it could be something totally creepy. Two: Refuse to sign, get out of here, try to find a new job ASAP, and . . . live on the streets? Wake up. There is only one choice, Jane.

Plus, we're still talking life-changing payout.

There's this game people play, where they share what they would or wouldn't do for money. I guess I'm about to find out what my limits are.

"Can I still refuse the part if I'm not interested after signing the agreement?"

"Of course," Max says with a nod. "But the terms will remain. You will not be permitted to speak a word about this to anyone."

"Okay, then. I'll sign."

Max gives me an encouraging smile, and Colton leans back in his chair, his intense stare still locked on me. After signing the documents, I slide them back to Max.

"Okay," he says. "Are you familiar with the Love Connected app?"

I swallow hard. Here we go. I knew it was something creepy. "Yes."

"Colton, here, is the founder and CEO of the company. We are looking to expand the business to foreign markets, and this has proven difficult. They are a bit more conservative than in the States."

I frown. "Okay."

"To make it simple," Colton says, clicking his tongue, "if I want to expand my company, I have to get married."

"That's where you come in," Max adds, looking at me.

Wait. What?

"We're looking for someone to play Colton's wife for the next two years. That's the job we're offering today."

"You want me to marry you?" I ask, shaking my head in disbelief. "Legally?"

"That's correct," Colton rumbles, his cold stare as serious as ever. I'm not sure if I should laugh or run.

"This is insane," I squeal, jumping to my feet. Raking my hands through my hair, I start pacing.

Max stands up too. "We know this is highly unusual, and we understand the commitment it requires from you, which is why the compensation is very generous."

Halting in my tracks, I turn to meet his eyes. Right. Life-changing payout. "How much is the compensation, exactly?" I was shooting for a casual tone, but my words come out more curious—and maybe a little desperate.

Colton stands up to join us, stuffing his hands in his suit pockets. "Five hundred thousand dollars. Per year."

The room starts spinning, leaving me dizzy. That's definitely a life-changing amount. More than I would ever dream of having in my bank account.

"As I said, it's very generous," Max croons, sitting back down. "In addition to the monetary compensation, you'll also have the opportunity to meet everyone in Colton's circle, including top directors and film producers."

"Would I still be allowed to audition for other parts in the meantime? Work?" I ask, my throat dry.

"Certainly." Max nods. "I don't see why not."

I bite my lip. "Okay."

"Do you need time to think about it?" Colton's tone is softer than before, catching me off guard.

"I . . . Give me a second." I continue pacing the room. That's a lot of money. It would not only pay my rent for years to come, but I could move away, try my luck in New York. It would mean a fresh start. Who knows? I might even land a job here in LA with all the new people I'd meet. But marrying him? That's even more bizarre than anything I was expecting. Less creepy, but definitely still weird.

I steal another glance at Colton. He's still standing, hands in his pockets, looking at me with concern. He's a good-looking guy, there's no denying that. But marrying him? Then again, when else would I have the opportunity to earn that kind of money?

Taking a deep breath, I turn to Colton. "What would I have to do, exactly?"