Triage: A Backstage Story

Chapter 6

May 2024

Bianca pulled out her phone to look up her hotel on a map. She'd just arrived in California. Filming started the next morning.

"Bianca."

She looked up to see Austin headed in her direction. "I didn't think you'd meet me," she said.

He gave her a look. "Miss my star's arrival? Not a chance."

A flush involuntarily crept up her neck, and Bianca wanted to hide. Now Austin was going to think she had a crush on him. And she didn't, did she?

"My dad's a businessman out here." Austin steered her toward the exit. "Brought the personal car and everything."

"I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the cast," Bianca said, determined not to show Austin how impressed she was.

"I'm sure they'll love you."

Bianca slid into the car. We'll see about that, she thought.

***

After unpacking, Bianca headed to the hotel lobby. Austin had promised to pick her up for dinner and show her some of the sights.

"We won't have much time for sightseeing once filming starts," he'd told her on the car ride.

She'd changed into a short floral dress and denim jacket. Though Bianca had wanted to wear heels, she was afraid they'd be walking too much and settled for ballerina flats.

Austin waited for her downstairs, dressed in jeans and a button up shirt. "I have a surprise." He winked and looped his arm around her waist.

She hid a smile and followed him out the door. "Where are we going?" she asked once they were in the car.

"It's a surprise."

The car drove through the winding and twisting roads until it stopped outside the Hollywood sign.

"I thought it would be a great place for a picnic."

"It's gorgeous." The scenery stole her breath away. Bianca had never seen anything so pretty.

Austin grabbed a blanket and picnic basket out of the trunk. "I packed cucumber sandwiches and lemonade."

"Wow, my hero."

He wrinkled his nose at her sarcasm, but carefully set up the picnic.

"You really have changed, haven't you?"

He looked up from a plate of sandwiches. "Believe me, Bianca. I know I was a jerk. I was also an immature teenage boy."

"What are you now?"

"An immature twenty-five year old," he flirted.

***

Bianca really was surprised by Austin. She'd actually had fun with him at the Hollywood sign. Maybe he really had changed.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the shorter woman behind her calling her name.

"Bianca. Bianca!"

Bianca snapped out of her trance. She turned around.

"Kit?"