I stare at him, dumbfounded. Jules looks back and forth between us and then mutters, “Oops.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” My feelings are so hurt.
“It didn’t occur to me.” He frowns and shrugs.
“You have a major motion picture about to be released for millions of people to see, and it didn’t occur to you to mention it to your girlfriend?” I turn and face him on my stool.
What the hell?
“I just did some of the production; I’m not starring in it or anything.”
“I don’t care, Luke. This is a big deal. Are you going to the premier?”
“No, absolutely not.” He shakes his head and runs his hand through his hair.
“Why? You should go. You’re a part of it.”
“No.” He swallows hard. “I don’t do that anymore.”
“Either way, you should have told me. You never talk to me about your work, and you know all about mine.”
This is something that’s been bothering me, and I’m glad Jules brought it up.
“What does a producer do, anyway?”
Jules asks as she drains the pasta and starts layering lasagna in a glass dish.
“It depends on the producer. There are a lot of different roles. Some are on set during the entire production and run things there. Some work behind the scenes, securing money from a studio or wooing actors and directors. There are a lot of things to do, and there are usually a few producers doing different jobs.”
“Okay,
so
what
do
you
do,
specifically?” I ask, sincerely interested.
“I’ve been doing the behind the scenes, pre-production stuff so I can work from here. Sometimes I have to make a trip to L.A. or New York for a brief meeting, but that’s rare these days.
Pretty much everything can be done on the phone or email. So, I talk to actors and directors, and sometimes sit in on conference calls to get money secured for a project.” He’s talking with his hands, so animated and enthusiastic, and it occurs to me, he really loves what he does. I smile at him and kiss his cheek.
“I’m proud of you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re doing something you love and you’re good at it.”
“How do you know?”
“I wouldn’t be with someone who sucks.” I respond sassily and he laughs.
“So, how much money did you have to secure for the movie coming out on Friday? And who’s in it anyway?”
Jules slips the lasagna in the oven and leans across the counter listening attentively.
“It’s
called Rough Shot with
Channing Tatum. It’s an action, lots of stunts and stuff blowing up, so it was high budget. About a hundred million.”
Jules and I look at each other and then back at Luke.
“I’m sorry, did you say a hundred million dollars?” My voice is very shrill. It’s disturbing. Almost as disturbing as my boyfriend being responsible for raising a hundred million dollars.
“Yeah.” He smiles shyly. “The action adventure movies are always high budget because there’s a lot of cinematography involved, CGI, and a lot of other stuff that I don’t really understand but know it’s expensive.”
I swallow. Wow.
“So, this is a big box office movie then.”
“Yeah, it’s expected to bring in about a hundred and fifty million this weekend.” He shrugs again, but I see the pride in his eyes.
“So, here’s where I get personal, and you can tell me to mind my own fucking business, but I’m curious because money is what I do for a living.” Jules’ eyes are gleaming with curiosity and I know exactly what she’s going to ask.
“Okay, go ahead.” Luke smirks. He knows too.
“Well, I know how much actors usually get paid for big budget films, but what about producers?”
“When all is said and done, after royalties and stuff, from this movie I’ll probably bank about fifteen.”
I narrow my eyes at him and bite my lip, not sure that I understand the words that just came out of his mouth. I look at Jules, and her mouth is opening and closing, also with no sound coming out.
Luke isn’t looking at either of us.
He’s staring down at his wine.
Finally, Jules speaks first. “Please tell me you have a damn good entertainment lawyer and a team of entertainment accountants with excellent reputations. Because if you don’t, I know some.” She’s completely serious.
Luke nods his head. “Yeah, that’s all been covered for years.”
“Good,” she responds.
I just don’t know what to say. I knew he was wealthy, but I had no idea.
Finally, Luke looks over at me. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I whisper.
“You look a little pale.” He looks worried.
“I’m okay.” I shake myself out of my stare and look to Jules for guidance.
“Nat,” she says, “You’re no stranger to money.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Your parents left you like twenty million.”
Luke blanches.
“I know.”
“So, what’s wrong?” she asks quietly.
I frown. “Well, I guess it’s just a lot to take in.” I look at Luke and finally, needing to touch him, grip his hand in mine. “I’m sorry, honey. The money isn’t that big of a deal to me, you know that. I guess it’s just surprising to hear that my man deals with actors and hundred million dollar movies and is friends with Steven Spielberg. It’s easy to forget because we’re so far removed from that life.”
“Nat, I’ve removed myself on purpose.”
“I know.”
“Don’t freak out on me,” he whispers.
“I am not freaking out on you.” I smile, finding my equilibrium.
“Um, can I ask one more question?”
Jules raises her hand like we’re in class and we laugh.
“Okay.”
“Can I have Channing Tatum’s number?”
We all bust out in a laughing fit, and I’m relieved to have the tension lifted.
“He’s married, Jules.”
“Damn it.” She frowns. “All the good ones are taken.”
“Luke,” I jump off my stool and stand between his thighs, rubbing my hands up and down his arms. “I want to see your movie this weekend.”
“You do?” He looks completely shocked.