Moon over the Bay (Moonlit Nights) by Morgan Emerson Page A

Damn. The part! Nathan sat up again, and instead of falling
back, he grabbed his phone and went to call Jess. But then he stopped.
    When his agent called about the
part a few days ago, he’d been elated. First he was antsy all the way home on
the flight and again the next day as he headed to the studio. After a screen
test and a table read with the other leads on the show, the producers took
everyone out to dinner. That was when the drinks started and didn’t stop until
the sun came up, if he remembered correctly.
    While this was only for the pilot
episode he had filmed, the studio had high hopes that it would be picked up for
the summer schedule. This would mean he’d have to stay in LA. Nathan let out a
big sigh and fell back onto the pillows.
    He really liked Jess. Hell, if
what the woman from earlier had said was true, he actually loved Jess. Did he
really love her though? Nathan knew that he wanted to call her and tell her
about everything that happened. But he also didn’t want to think about what
this role would mean for the both of them.
    Nathan realized the phone ringing
was what had woken him, and when he looked at the screen he saw that it was a
missed call from Jess. The indicator said she had left a voicemail. Remembering
the panic he briefly felt when he thought he’d had sex with another woman, he
couldn’t bring himself to call her back yet. A lump formed in his throat at
hurting Jess’s feelings, and he thanked his lucky stars that he had enough
sense not to sleep with that woman.
    Once at home, Nathan showered and
started working on some of his smaller accounts that he’d let pile up while he
was busy with Jess. He chose the jobs that were the least demanding today,
producing marketing material and updating some websites and blogs. It kept him
busy until his agent’s ringtone filled the air. Layla had received the contract
details for negotiation if a full season was ordered and was pleased with the
offer. Nathan was shocked to hear the amount. Also, if the pilot were to get
picked up, the studio would lease him a house close to the sound stage where it
would be shot.
    He couldn’t believe his luck at
the moment. Just when he thought all was lost on the acting front, a golden
opportunity was presented to him. Then there was Jess. She was everything he
never knew he wanted. And now that Kyle was moving to San Francisco
permanently, that would leave Nathan alone again. As much as he hated to admit
it, he despised being alone and left behind.
    It always made him feel like he
had growing up and his mom never being around. When Kyle had brought him home
to meet his parents during one summer break, it was like being wrapped in a
warm blanket on a cold night. Kyle’s parents accepted Nathan as if he were a
long lost son. He had been there with Kyle when his friend’s mom passed and his
dad, Miles, wept. The three men grew closer after that, and the idea of not
seeing Kyle or Miles as often hurt.
    If the pilot was picked up
though, his life would change, and he’d never be alone again. Nathan would be
invited into the inner sanctum of Hollywood and TV land. It would be awards
shows, interviews, then onto movies and box office success. He leaned back in
his chair and clasped his hands on his head. Sure, he could try a long distance
thing with Jess, but how long before she wouldn’t be able to handle his schedule?
Or the tabloids, if he ever got that famous?
    But could he really only see her
again in passing when he visited Kyle and Sadie? What if she started seeing
someone else; how would he deal with that? The thought of another man touching
her made his blood boil. On the other hand, now that this golden opportunity
was laid at his feet, could he walk away for a chance at love? What if she
didn’t care for him as much as he did her?
    Nathan rubbed his hands over his
face and let out a heavy sigh. He’d never been so conflicted in his life.
    Lost in thought, it took a moment
to realize his phone had