And the casting audition is half an hour away.
Jake and I haven’t spoken since our disastrous dinner…
And now I’m filled with regret.
Winning the show was a long shot.
But at least it gave me a chance to finish school.
And now I don’t even have that.
I pause in the middle of my room.
I grab my purse and head for the door.
Beg him to do the audition.
Like it or not, I need him and—
Jake’s on the other side of my door when I open it.
Jake
Didn’t mean to startle you.
I take in the sight of him.
He’s in a form-fitting, blue Henley and jeans.
The color really brings out his eyes.
Maggie
Jake…what are you doing here?
It’s then I notice he has something in his hand.
It’s a bunch of pens with a ribbon around it.
He holds them up and catches my eye.
I nod and step aside, letting him in.
He whirls around once the door closes.
Jake
Look, I’m sorry about Friday.
Jake
Especially for the things I said.
Jake
Well, the packet was a little boring—
Jake
I mean, not everything in it!
Jake
Some of it was really interesting…
Jake
Crap. I’m screwing this up again, aren’t I?
I press my lips together…
Trying to hold back a burst of laughter.
Maggie
You actually read the packet?
He gives me a boyish smile.
He holds out the bouquet of pens.
Jake
I’m hoping you’ll accept this peace offering.
Wondering if this is the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.
His smile turns into a full-blown grin.
Feeling my cheeks heat, I look away.
Maggie
You’re not shallow—
Jake
Eh, I can be a little shallow.
Jake
The slideshow was probably a bad idea.
Maggie
But I have to say…
Maggie
I was kind of impressed by the effort you put into it.
Maggie
The sound effects were a nice touch.
Jake reaches down to grab my hand.
Jake
So…can we try this again?
Jake
We still have time to make the audition.
I blow out a relieved breath.
Maggie
When you caught me on my way out the door…
Maggie
I was headed for your apartment.
Maggie
I was going to beg you to reconsider.
Jake
Looks like we’re actually on the same page.
Maggie
But we have less than a half an hour…
Maggie
And I still don’t know much about you.
Jake starts pulling me toward the door.
Jake
Then we don’t have time to waste.
We get to the audition a few minutes late…
And the crew is already packing things up.
Jake runs out in front of the cameras.
A woman wearing a director’s hat spins toward us.
Director
You’re out of luck.
Director
Should have gotten here on time.
And I picture my future going up in smoke.
I have to salvage this somehow.
Maggie
We’re really sorry!
I hate what I’m about to do…
But I’m left with no other choice.
Maggie
My dad was here visiting.
Maggie
Colt Collins. You know him, right?
A look of surprise crosses her face…
And I know I’ve got her attention.
Maggie
He’s such a talker that he made us late.
Maggie
But he’s a huge fan of the show.
Maggie
He’d be so disappointed if we didn’t at least get to audition.
Director
You’re “sunshine”?
I give her a small smile and a nod.
Her eyes narrow in on my face.
Director
Should have known.
Director
If that blonde hair didn’t give it away…
Director
That dimpled chin definitely does.
Director
You look just like him.
My hand unconsciously flies up toward my face.
I used to love the little hole in my chin.
Was happy that it marked me as my father’s daughter.
But I don’t know how I feel about it now.
The director sits back in her chair.
Director
You’ve got 5 minutes.
Director
I’m interested to hear what Colt Collins’ daughter has to say.
Jake claps his hands together.
Jake
Awesome! Thank you so much.
He leans down to whisper in my ear…
While pulling me in front of the cameras.
A bright light suddenly turns on.
And I feel a dozen sets of eyes swing my way.
My pulse starts galloping in my throat.
Unlike my dad — and Jake — I’m not used to this sort of attention.
Maggie
So Jake and I met…
I suck in a sharp breath.
Oh god, we never even came up with a story!
I can’t get myself to come up with anything sensical.
Sensing my panic, Jake steps forward.
Jake
It’s one of the things I love about her.
Jake
I also love how smart she is…
I listen to Jake rattle off the things I put in my packet.
He even mentions how much I love ping pong.
Director
Alright, I’m going to stop you two here.
I have no idea where my voice suddenly comes from.
Maggie
I’m sorry, can I just say a few things?
The director sighs, but waves a hand for me to continue.
I grip Jake’s arm for support.
Maggie
And I’m also all the other things he said.
Maggie
That’s why I can’t let this audition end…
Maggie
Without telling you a little about him.
I take in a calming breath, and look up at Jake.
Maggie
When I first met him…
Maggie
I immediately wrote him off.
Maggie
I thought he was lazy and superficial.
Maggie
Someone who only cared about himself.
As if he’s willing the words back in my mouth.
Maggie
But that’s the thing about Jake.
Maggie
He’s worth a deeper look.
Maggie
Because he’s anything but lazy.
Maggie
On our first date, he made me pizza.
Maggie
And he brought out every single topping you can imagine…
Maggie
Because he wanted to make sure he had what I liked.
Maggie
He goes above and beyond, in little ways…
Maggie
Because he wants to make me happy.
Jake’s face is unreadable.
But his eyes haven’t left mine.
Maggie
Would a superficial guy save a dog leash from an old pet?
Maggie
Or keep a knit blanket from his grandmother on his couch?
Maggie
If anything, he’s sentimental.
Jake’s arm tenses in mine…
But he doesn’t look away from me.
Maggie
And I assumed Jake only cared about himself.
Maggie
That he was shallow.
Maggie
I mean, look at the way he helped me just now.
Maggie
I got shy and nervous up here…
Maggie
And he backed me up.
Maggie
He has this way of making me and others around him feel comfortable.
I turn and look at the director.
Maggie
In my eyes, Jake is the best guy on campus.
Maggie
Not to mention the hottest guy on campus.
Maggie
I bet viewers won’t be able to get enough of him.
Wanting to drive my point home…
I take a step closer to Jake…
And slowly bring my arms around his waist.
And I’m surprised at how good it feels.
It feels even better when his arm moves to wrap around me.
Silence follows my speech.
Jake’s eyes are shining, locked on mine.
But we both turn when the director hops off her chair.
Director
I think you’re right.
Director
America is going to love you two.
Director
Congratulations.
