And Playing the Role of Herself (Frankiana)

CHAPTER SIX

"Nice job Kiara, Diana...you too, Gino." Nate Wiley rapped on his bound script and pointed at the three of us on the set. "That one will work fine...let's print it and move on. You three are off for now - check with Addy for when we need you back." He turned and raised his voice further. "Micah, Henry, Joe, Marco, Irene...you're up. Extra's for 12, check in with Brent. Brent, where are you?"

There was a whistle from across the stage. "Over here!"

The director pointed. "Check in with Brent over there. Regulars, let's get this blocked out, and do a run through..."

"Thank God," Kiara sighed, blowing a stray piece of hair out of her eyes and rolling the tension from her neck. "I thought he was going to make us go again."

I just grunted, arching my back until it popped.

"I thought we nailed it the first time," Gino grumbled. "Picky damn bastard."

There was no venom in his words - we all liked Nate, and trusted his direction.

The three of us moved off the squad room set where we'd done the last scene.

"Gino, back in forty-five," yelled Addison from several yards away, conferring with the lighting tech. "Kiara, we need you at one, and Di..." he consulted the clipboard in his hands, "two-thirty, for the bust scene."

We all nodded, and headed for the exit of the cavernous warehouse where the sound stages were housed.

"And Di..." I paused expectantly, noting that Kiara had stopped at the door and was waiting for me. Addy finished his conversation with the lighting tech and walked over to me, flipping through the papers on his clipboard. He eventually pulled out a small envelope and handed it to me. "This came with a script delivery from ITD..."

I frowned, but took the envelope. I wasn't up for a guest role on In Their Defense any time in the near future...I wondered what this was for.

"Thanks, Addy," I said absently, looking at the envelope. It was small, invitation or note card size, with my name written in bold, very precise capital letters on the front. There were no other markings on it.

I felt Kiara move over beside me. "What's that for?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. As far as I know, I don't have anything going on over there."

I slipped a finger under the flap and drew out a small card.

Diana,

I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself. Tomorrow, same time and place.

Loser buys coffee, winner gets taunting rights.

Franki

The grin that split my face was huge, and I laughed out loud. Several crew members stopped what they were doing to stare. Okay, more than several. In fact, just about all of them. I wasn't known for my spontaneous laughter.

"Di?" Kiara was frowning, and she looked genuinely concerned. "Are you okay?"

Jeez, can't a woman laugh like an idiot anymore?

"I'm fine," I answered, trying to calm myself but still thinking of Franki. "Just fine."

Kiara shrugged, and started walking towards the door. "Ate Hasna's picking up from that Thai place you like so much...come by in ten."

It was not optional.

I'd managed to avoid talking with Kiara since the 'have you ever wanted to kiss a woman' incident, but it didn't look like I was going to be able to avoid it any longer.