Almost Everything

Chapter 15 - Unsteady

I follow Lexie to the private dining section of the restaurant. Along the way, I stop to give a couple of autographs and pictures to those that recognize me. When we finally make it to my agent, he is sitting with three men in power suits.

This is big.

Normally, I would get a call or need to come to his office, meeting with a bunch of high-powered men in suits wasn't a normal day for us. Everyone stands when I walk into the room.

"Avery." Daniel hugs and kisses my cheek. "I'd like to introduce you to Edwin Lomonaco, Kevin Kruger, and Richard Calhoun from Fox."

I extend my hand and shake each greeting. Daniel suggests that we order drinks and lunch before we start talking shop. Just from the vibes I'm getting, I order myself a top-shelf vodka cranberry. For lunch, I go with the baked halibut and veggies.

Richard Calhoun takes a sip of his scotch and then looks at me. "Avery, I'm sure you're wondering why we asked Daniel to set up this meeting with you?"

Finishing my glass of vodka, I nod at him. "My curiosity is peaked."

All three men clear their throats and glance at each other. Edwin opens his briefcase and hands me two paperback books and a script. Kevin starts the pitch. Within three minutes of the pitch, my mouth drops open with shock.

I turn to Lexie and see her blushing. Daniel was playing with his cloth napkin and avoiding eye contact with me.

For the next twenty minutes, I shift in my chair a dozen times. It was so uncomfortable in this room and I was praying it was a joke.

"Avery, we need a big name to get this project green-lighted. We don't have any production dates at this point, but we need you to sign on. We are offering you a fixed twelve million, a contingent of 20%, and residuals." Richard finally tells me.

Daniel whistles through his teeth because this was a huge deal and a big risk.

My brain is still trying to process the pitch. "So, you want me to do porn? That's what this is, right?"

I feel the tingles start in my nose. This feels like it could be the end of my career if I sign on.

"It's not porn, I promise you." Richard nods at me.

"Avery, we're hoping this is the next big thing. The story is well written, but there just happens to be a lot of nudity and sex. I promise it will be tasteful." Kevin looks at me.

Edwin puts a check in the center of the table. "If you sign today, we have a check for five million dollars that's out of your twelve million dollars."

When I don't say anything, my agent looks at me and then at the men. "Are you hoping to make just one movie, or will there be multiple movies?"

The suits explain that the deal is for one movie, but a sequel could be an option if the first one does well.

I turn to Lexie and bite my bottom lip. "Can we have a minute, gentlemen?" She looks at them.

All three of them nod and leave the room. Giant tears fall down my cheeks and my manager hugs me. She promises me that it's going to be okay and then she snaps at Daniel that a little warning would have been nice for us. He swears that this is the first time he heard the pitch.

"We can negotiate the final script." My agent offers.

I look at him with big eyes. "My gut is telling me that this is career suicide."

He nods. "It's a lot of money for a one-movie deal and it's a huge gamble."

Daniel picks up the script, he starts skimming it and giving me details. The movie will be shot in New York or Vancouver.