Leah & Tina & Nicole Kidman
She’s waited through the entire dinner, through wine and half-hearted small talk. Now, as she rinses her plate, Leah finally says it.
“Hey, meant to say. Cute stuff in that box in your closet. You’ve got good taste.”
Tina leans against the counter, refilling her wineglass. “What box?” she asks, not looking up.
“The fancy gift box. In the back of the closet.”
“You were going through my closet?”
“I thought I left some clothes in there. From before you moved in. It wasn’t a big deal.”
Tina doesn’t look up as she swirls her wine. “So you figured you’d dig around in my stuff to be sure?”
“Of course not,” Leah says, drying her hands on a dish towel. “It just… caught my eye. I wasn’t expecting you to be so… provocative.”
“I like nice things. And I like feeling sexy. So what?”
“Just didn’t peg you for someone with a bustier and garter belt under her Lululemon.”
“I don’t wear Lululemon, Leah.” She tosses back the rest of her glass. “I have to get ready for work.”
But Leah isn’t finished. A minute later, she’s leaning in Tina’s doorway.
“Ever heard of knocking?” Tina says from the vanity.
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Leah watches her smooth the foundation over her cheekbones. “Didn’t think voiceover work required a full beat face.”
“Sometimes.”
“So what’s that like? You go to a studio, record a few lines… at eight-thirty at night?”
“Yup.”
“Weird hours.”
“It’s gig work.” Tina lifts a shoulder, indifferent. “I take what I can get.”
Leah steps closer into the bedroom, her eyes landing on the closet. “I wanna hear your signature voice. You’ve gotta have one, right? Just a few lines. Narrate something.”
Tina shoots her a sharp glance. “Not now.”
“Come on. Do the Nicole Kidman AMC thing. Everyone knows it.”
“You’re being weird, Leah.”
“Sorry. Didn’t think it was a big deal.”
“Okay. Fine.”
Tina sets down the foundation sponge. Draws a breath. Her gaze flicks to the mirror, something steadying in her own reflection. Then, her voice drops, cooler now, practiced, like slipping into character.
“We come to this place… for magic. Because we need that… all of us. Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like this…”
She cuts herself off. “Happy now?”
“That was awesome,” Leah lies, too quickly. “I’m just… surprised you know the whole thing.”
“I love the movies,” Tina says, tone clipped. “Seen it a million times.”
She crosses to the closet and yanks the door wider. Leah watches as she drags out the metal suitcase, its weight thudding on the floor.
“What’s in there?”
“My stuff.” Tina pauses, eyes narrowing. “You’re asking a lot of questions tonight.”
“Just trying to get to know my roommate.”
“Well, here’s something you should know.” Tina settles her Dodgers cap over her head. “When I’m in a rush, I don’t like to be bothered. And when I’m bothered… That’s when you’ll get to know the real me.”
Leah returns a thin smile. “Sure. Got it.”
“Great,” Tina says, hoisting the suitcase with one hand. “Good chat, then. Nighty night, roommate.”