Chapter 4

Theo dried his hands and sat down beside Mara. He picked up the remote, changed his mind, and put it back.

"What do you do when you're not telling people to wash dishes?" he asked.

"Stunts."

"I know what your mother told me. I meant what kind."

"Falls. Fight work. Whatever a scene needs."

A practice scene from one of Theo's films came to mind. Mara pushed the coffee table back a little and stood. "Show me a move you keep getting wrong."

"I don't get moves wrong."

"Then this will be quick."

He gave her a look but got up. On an open patch of carpet, he demonstrated a simple turn away from an incoming arm. He moved too early, leaving Mara nowhere to put her hand without either stopping or striking him.

"There," she said. "That's why your partner has to chase you. Wait until you see my shoulder move. Then turn."

"I'm not waiting to get hit."

"You won't. We'll go slowly."

She raised her arm at half speed. Theo turned at her shoulder, not before it. Her hand passed the space his head had occupied and stopped well clear of him. They reset and tried again.

"That works," he said.

"Because we're looking at each other. One more time."

The third pass was smooth enough that he grinned before he remembered he'd been arguing. Mara moved her feet into the starting position. Theo mirrored her without being told.

"How long have you done this?" he asked.

"Long enough to know you were rushing."

"Who did you double for?"

Mara kept her eyes on his shoulders. There was a set she could name, and a woman they'd both known there. Not yet.

"Different people," she said. "Most of the time you only see the back of my head."

"That isn't an answer."

"Keep your weight on your back foot."

He did. They repeated the move, then practiced it in reverse. He followed her timing on the first try. For someone who insisted he didn't need help, he paid close attention when she gave it.

Theo stepped away and rubbed the back of his neck. "You knew I'd turn early."

"I've watched your fights."

"You knew more than that."

Mara slid the coffee table back into place. Theo watched her hands. He'd worked with plenty of stunt performers, but he could almost picture her on a set he couldn't quite place.

"Have we worked together before?" he began.

Mara stepped onto the clear patch of carpet again. "Ready for the next round?"

He took his position. The question stayed with him, but he held it while she lifted her arm to begin.