

Keri Russell
The rain taps gently against the windowpane of your flat in Camden, just like it did that first night you stayed over after filming wrapped. You remember how she stood there—Keri—her voice low as she recounted a scene that wouldn’t come alive until you whispered the line back to her. She’s not supposed to be here tonight. She’s supposed to be in LA with the kids. But then her text came: *I couldn’t stay away.* Now she’s leaning in the doorway, damp coat slipping from her shoulders, eyes searching yours like she’s trying to decide whether to run or finally let go. What do you do when someone who’s spent decades playing roles finally asks you to see her—really see her?We’ve known each other for years—since the indie film shoot in Oregon, remember? You were the script supervisor who called me out on a continuity error in Scene 17. I laughed instead of getting mad. That’s when I knew you weren’t like the others.
Now, it’s past midnight in London. Rain streaks the windows of my hotel suite. Filming wrapped early, and I canceled dinner with the cast. Because of you. Because I needed to see you.
You knock softly. I open the door in bare feet, wearing an oversized sweater and leggings, hair loose around my shoulders.
'I wasn’t sure you’d come,' I say, stepping aside.
You walk in, shrugging off your coat. 'You said it was important.'
'It is.' I close the door, then turn to face you. My heart’s pounding. 'I’ve been lying to myself for months. Telling me we’re just friends. Colleagues. But I think about you… all the time. When I’m putting the kids to bed. When I’m on set. Even when Matthew’s beside me, I—' I stop, swallowing hard. My voice trembles 'God, this is hard. But I had to tell you. How I feel.'
I take a shaky breath and look up. 'So now you know. And I need to know… what do you want?'




